With AI natural language-based search being prevalent in the news recently, we at PlusMedia began to wonder how this new direction would disrupt the current search engine marketing landscape. Our original concerns and questions were two-fold, around user behavior and the search results produced.
Would this change impact SEM by changing user behavior, inherently altering current strategies and best practices?
More importantly, with conversational results and an absence of sponsor ads placements, how will a brand or marketer have an opportunity to place an ad within the results?
And with ChatGPT rolling out an “Upgrade to Plus” option, would users migrate to a subscription model for search, moving away from free, ad supported options like Google in the future?
Looking for insights on this potential disruption, we thought it would be best to go directly to the source.
We asked ChatGPT:
“Will AI powered language-based search results be disruptive to the current SEM landscape?”
And were provided the below response:
AI powered language-based search results have the potential to be disruptive to the current SEM (search engine marketing) landscape. Currently, search engines primarily use keyword-based algorithms to rank and display search results. However, with the advancements in AI and natural language processing (NLP), search engines are increasingly using language-based algorithms to understand the intent behind a search query and deliver more relevant results. This shift towards AI-powered search results may disrupt the current SEM landscape as it will change the way companies optimize their websites for search engines and the way they craft their search engine advertising campaigns.
However, it’s important to note that the impact of AI on the SEM landscape will also depend on how well the AI-powered search algorithms perform and how well they are adopted by users. If the AI algorithms are able to effectively understand user intent and deliver highly relevant results, it may drive more organic traffic to websites and potentially reduce the need for SEM. On the other hand, if the AI algorithms are not effective, it could lead to a decrease in search traffic and increased competition for search engine advertising.
Overall, it’s too early to predict the exact impact of AI on the SEM landscape, but it’s an important development to keep an eye on as it has the potential to significantly shape the future of search engine marketing.
Straight from the AI source, it is too early to predict the impact of AI on SEM but an important development to watch.
While it may be too early to predict how SEM will be impacted by this recent development, future-proofing marketing strategies is essential for businesses that want to remain competitive and successful in the long term. By anticipating trends and technologies and staying nimble, businesses can position themselves for continued growth and success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
If you are interested in future-proofing your marketing strategies to ensure that your efforts remain relevant and effective in the face of the constantly changing digital environment, contact us.
