#462 AI and SEO: How We're Adapting to Google's Search Shift (ft. Patrick Scully)

In this episode of the Contractor Growth Network podcast, Sean Holleran and SEO expert Patrick dive into how AI is reshaping search—and what that means for contractors relying on SEO. They break down the shift from traditional keyword ranking to AI-powered answer engines like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overview, and explain how to structure your content to still get found. Whether you're wondering if Google is dead (it's not) or how to optimize for tools like Perplexity and Bing, this episode will help you stay ahead of the curve. Key Takeaways AI Search Is Changing the Game Google and ChatGPT are rewriting how people search: AI now scans for concise answers, not full-page rankings. Questions and paragraph snippets matter more than ever. It's no longer just about clicks—being the answer is the goal. Concise Answers Beat Long-Form Hooks Content must lead with the answer: Gone are the days of slow storytelling intros. Start with the clear, factual response—then build context. This helps tools like Google AI and ChatGPT surface your content. Google Isn't Dead, It's Adapting Despite the hype, traditional SEO still matters: Google still dominates local and service-based searches. Schema, page speed, links, and on-page SEO are still relevant. Now it's about blending classic SEO with AI-readiness. Search Everywhere Optimization It's no longer about ranking on one platform: Get reviews on Bing, Angi, Houzz, and Facebook—not just Google. Claim and optimize your Bing Places listing. YouTube videos (with transcripts) are also being surfaced in AI answers. AI Loves Structure and Fresh Data Make your content AI-scannable: Use schema markup to define FAQs, videos, and pages. Replace large paragraphs with bullet points or tables. Update outdated blog posts for relevance and accuracy. Memorable Quotes "If you're not found everywhere, you're not really found at all." "The best answer wins now—not the biggest website." "Google isn't dead. It's just changing the rules—and fast." Actionable Advice Rewrite for Answers: Lead with a concise answer before diving into storytelling. Use Schema Markup: Help AI interpret your FAQs, videos, and images. Diversify Reviews: Get client reviews across Google, Bing, Angi, and Houzz. Update Your Old Content: Refresh data, fix broken links, and add question-style headings. Test It Yourself: Search on ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity as if you're a client. Meta Description: SEO is changing fast. Learn how AI tools like ChatGPT and Google SGE are shifting search—and how to adapt your content to keep showing up and driving leads.