If you’ve been using the internet for as long as we have, you’ll probably remember when finding a local business meant reaching for the Yellow Pages. Then came Google, where typing a few keywords became the quickest way to find a plumber, restaurant or accountant. Today, we’re seeing another major shift in the way people search for information – and it’s happening faster than many people realise.

More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity to ask questions instead of using a traditional search engine. Rather than scrolling through pages of search results, they ask things like, “Who’s the best electrician in Guernsey?” or “Can you recommend a good accountant in Jersey?” They expect a helpful answer straight away, often with recommendations, reviews and useful information included.

For businesses, this changes the game.

Instead of simply trying to rank highly on Google, businesses now also need to think about whether AI tools know who they are, understand what they do and consider them worth recommending. It’s a new way of being found online, and we believe it’s one of the biggest changes in digital marketing since search engines became part of everyday life.

That’s why we’re excited to announce our new partnership with London-based specialists Position Digital.

They are experts in what’s known as Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) – helping businesses improve how they appear within AI-generated answers. By combining their technical expertise with our knowledge of the Channel Islands market, we can now offer local businesses access to some of the latest AI search optimisation strategies and technology available.

The good news is that this isn’t about replacing everything that’s come before. Google is still hugely important, and traditional SEO still has an important role to play. Instead, this is about making sure businesses are visible wherever people choose to search, whether that’s Google, ChatGPT or the next AI platform that comes along.

The way people discover businesses has always evolved. We moved from printed directories to search engines, from desktop computers to smartphones, and now we’re moving towards AI assistants that provide personalised answers instead of lists of websites. Businesses that adapt to these changes early are often the ones that benefit most.

Our job has always been to help businesses connect with customers online. As the technology changes, so do the tools and techniques we use. This partnership is simply the next step in making sure our clients stay visible, competitive and ready for what’s coming next.

The Channel Islands has a thriving business community, and we’re proud to be bringing this specialist expertise to Guernsey and Jersey. Our aim is simple: to help local businesses continue to be found by the people who are looking for them, whatever the future of search looks like.

Get in touch to find out more: [email protected]; tel: 01481 754570.

Pictured above: Sean Begg Flint, founder and CEO of Position Digital, with George Bett, managing director of Clicksmith.