ChatGPT vs Google Search: What It Means for Your Business Strategy

Lately, we’ve been getting this question a lot from clients: “Is ChatGPT replacing Google?”

It’s a fair question. We’re watching the way people search, learn, and make buying decisions shift right before our eyes. Not long ago, “Just Google it” was the default. Now, more and more people are saying, “I asked ChatGPT.” The numbers back it up too. Google still handles over 14 billion searches a day, but ChatGPT is quietly pulling in over 37 million queries daily, and growing.

This ChatGPT vs Google Search shift isn’t just a competition between two tools, it reflects a deeper behavioral change in how people seek answers. Today’s users are tired of ad-filled pages and the hassle of clicking through multiple websites. 

Instead, they want fast, clear, and conversational responses that get to the point. If your business isn’t showing up in these AI-powered conversations, you’re missing out on being part of the decision-making process. And that’s a visibility problem worth solving.

So, how can your brand start showing up in AI-powered conversations?  Here are five practical ways to boost your visibility and influence in the age of conversational search: 

1. Publish Where You Can Actually See You

Want to show up in ChatGPT? It starts with publishing your content in places AI actually scans. Platforms like Medium, Substack, LinkedIn Articles, and Quora are considered high-authority and public, which makes them easier for AI to access and reference. Think of these platforms like digital megaphones. If your content is there, AI is more likely to quote you.

2. ChatGPT is Powered by Bing, So Get Indexed!

Most people don’t realize this, but when ChatGPT has browsing enabled, it leans on Bing’s search engine. That’s your cue to plug into Bing Webmaster Tools. With it, you can:

• Submit your sitemap
• Request indexing for fresh content
• Track how your content performs in Bing
• Discover what keywords are bringing traffic
  
  

Ignoring Bing means ignoring a backdoor into ChatGPT visibility. Take a peek on how the ChatGPT and Bing integration looks like:

3. Tap into Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

Generative Engine Optimization is not about clicks. It’s about being the trusted source AI chooses to quote. Here’s how to get it right:

• Write content with quotable, trustworthy answers
• Use question-and-answer formats so AI can easily match queries
• Include stats, case studies, and deeper insights that go beyond surface-level tips
• Format content clearly with headers, bullets, and schema
• Follow E-E-A-T guidelines (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
• Run AI queries in your space to see if your content shows up

4. Track Your AI Presence with the Right Tools

You’re probably already tracking your Google rankings. But are you tracking if AI is pulling your content into its answers? Tools like SurferSEO and Writesonic help you bridge that gap:

• SurferSEO’s Content Planner helps you create content optimized for both search and AI
• Writesonic’s AI SEO Toolkit shows how AI models may quote or summarize your material

You can also do it manually. Ask ChatGPT the kind of questions your customers ask you and see if your content comes up. If not, it’s time to optimize. Take a look into Sufers’ real-time and on-page optimization:

5. Design Content to be Pull-Ready, Not Just Readable

AI loves clarity. The easier your content is to understand, quote, and summarize, the more likely it is to be used. That means:

• Leading with the key takeaway
• Formatting your content like FAQs
• Using schema like FAQ, HowTo, and Article to help machines interpret it
  
  

This isn’t just about ChatGPT vs Google Search. It’s about recognizing that your buyers are having conversations with AI instead of just clicking through pages hoping to find answers. The brands that win are the ones that adapt. They show up where the answers are being searched, and they design content that’s clear, quotable, and built for trust. 

That’s the shift we’re helping our clients make on their content marketing strategies: rethinking how they develop their marketing engine to compete in an AI-first world. Because today, it’s not just about being discovered. It’s about being the one who shows up in the next conversation.

Do you want to discuss your content marketing strategy? Book your growth strategy call with Xzito.