You’ve probably noticed a shift… instead of heading to Google and scrolling through pages of links, more people are now asking tools like ChatGPT, Gemini or Google AI questions like “Who’s the best builder in Queenstown for architectural homes?” In just a couple of seconds, these tools serve up a neat little summary with a few handpicked recommendations. Even better? It tells you why those builders were picked.
This new way of finding businesses is AI search, and it’s quickly becoming part of everyday life.
If you’re a small business or a designer, there’s no need to stress. AI search isn’t a trend to chase. It’s just the next natural step in how people discover great businesses online.
The businesses appearing in AI answers aren’t doing anything mysterious. They’ve nailed the basics: clear content, up-to-date details, real reviews, and a tidy website.
Here’s the cool part—many Rocketspark sites are already showing up in these AI-generated results, without needing to lift a finger. And with a few smart tweaks, you could show up even more often—and in front of more of the right people. It’s a fresh opportunity to get discovered by someone who might not have found you otherwise.
SEO, AEO, GEO, AIO…What do I actually need to know?
Let’s be real: all these three-letter terms can sound a bit much. But don’t worry — they’re all just different ways of helping people (and AI tools) understand what your business does, so you can show up in the right place at the right time.
SEO – Search Engine Optimisation
This is the classic one. It’s been around for years. SEO is all about helping Google understand your website so it can show up in search results. It’s things like:
Writing page titles and descriptions
Using clear headings
Adding alt text to images
👉 Need a refresher? Check out our SEO quick-start guide
AI Optimisation. aka. get found with AI.
To keep things simple, we’re using the term AI optimisation as an umbrella for everything that helps your website show up in tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI.
It brings together all the ways you can help AI understand your business, answer questions clearly, and confidently recommend you when it matters most.
Sometimes the AI is pulling direct details from your site. Things like:
“Are they open today?”
“Do they offer same-day delivery?”
“How much does it cost to book?”
This is where simple FAQs shine — they give AI tools the exact answers people are looking for.
Other times, the AI is choosing who to recommend for broader searches. For example:
“Best wedding florist in Tauranga”
“Top web designer for photographers”
“Great bakeries near me”
Here, the AI pays attention to your reviews, how helpful your content is and whether your site gives a strong sense of what you do well.
All of this sits inside AI optimisation. Clear information, trustworthy signals and content that reflects your strengths make it easier for AI tools to choose you.
How local legends are showing up in AI searches
Let’s bring it to life with a few everyday examples and show how small tweaks can help you show up in AI-powered results.
Example 1: the local café
Sarah asks ChatGPT for “the best plant-based brunch in Hamilton.” Instead of a list of links, she gets a shortlist of local cafés with a quick blurb on why each one made the cut.
Your café appears because your site clearly says “full vegan and plant-based menu”, your menu page is up to date, and your online reviews mention plant-based dishes.
The website gave the AI tool what it needed to feel confident recommending you.
Example 2: the florist with fast delivery
James types “best florists in Hamilton with same-day delivery.” The AI offers three local options and a short one-liner for each.
Your Rocketspark website makes the cut because your product and FAQ pages clearly say “same-day delivery if you order before 2 pm,” and your Google Business Profile has fresh photos and accurate hours.
Clear content + up-to-date info = a confident AI recommendation.
Example 3: the home services provider
A homeowner asks, “certified plumber near Tauranga who fixes leaks.” The AI recommends a local business and even quotes part of the website in its answer.
Your site wins a spot because your site says “certified plumber servicing the Tauranga area,” your FAQs include “Do you fix leaks?” and your reviews mention happy customers with leak repairs.
You answered real questions in plain English — and it paid off.
New Rocketspark features to support AI search
We’ve introduced some early access features to give your website an extra lift — small boosts that help AI tools understand you even faster.
AI-friendly business details
A clearer snapshot of what your business does.
FAQ enhancements
Schema (behind-the-scenes labels that explain the layout) for FAQs, helping AI tools recognise question-and-answer content.
AI-ready content file (llms.txt)
A behind-the-scenes helper that gives AI tools a nudge toward your most important pages. It is future-facing, so it will not change visibility today, but it sets the groundwork for when AI tools begin reading it. It's still early days! Semrush
These are nice-to-haves, not must-haves. They won’t replace good content; they just help it shine.
Want early access?
👉 Register your interest here
AI search is growing fast, but Google’s still the giant
It’s early days for AI search traffic, but the growth is exciting to watch. Right now, visits to websites from AI tools —like ChatGPT or Google’s AI Overviews—are still much smaller compared to the steady stream of visitors from traditional Google searches. Google search and SEO-driven traffic are still the main way people find most websites.
But here’s the interesting bit: AI traffic is climbing fast. Month by month, we’re seeing more visitors arriving at rocketspark.com from AI-powered sources. The numbers are still small, but the growth trend is steep—proof that people are starting to search differently.
This shift shows how discovery through AI assistants is moving from curiosity to an everyday habit. So while SEO remains the bread and butter of website visibility, AI search is fast becoming the exciting new layer on top—helping your business get discovered in more modern ways.
The bottom line: small steps, big visibility
You don’t need to overhaul your whole site. You don’t need to learn new technical skills. And you definitely don’t need to panic.
This shift brings more chances for your business to get noticed. And you don’t need to be techy to make it happen.
By doing things like:
Adding a couple of clear FAQs
Writing in a natural, friendly tone
Mentioning the areas you serve
Growing a steady stream of genuine reviews
And keeping your site content fresh
…you’re already moving in the right direction. These small steps make your site more useful for real people and more visible to the tools they’re using to search.
Think of it as future-proofing your online presence.
Whether someone’s typing into Google or chatting with ChatGPT, your content has a better chance of showing up when it’s clear, specific, and trustworthy.
Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once. Even adding one FAQ this week is a win. The future of search isn’t something to fear—it’s a fresh opportunity to help more people discover your amazing business.
And as always, Rocketspark’s here to help you every step of the way. 💛
