Is Traditional SEO Failing Your Business? 5 Warning Signs You Need GEO

Remember when ranking on page one of Google felt like winning the bloody lottery? Those days of celebrating your #1 spot and watching the traffic pour in seem almost nostalgic now, don’t they?

If you’ve been scratching your head wondering why your tried-and-true SEO strategies aren’t delivering the same results, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve been chatting with women entrepreneurs just like you over the past year, and there’s a pattern emerging – one that signals it’s time to evolve beyond traditional SEO.

The truth is, your business might be showing all the classic signs that you need GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) instead of just relying on SEO. Let’s dive into the 5 telltale warning signs, and more importantly, what you can actually do about each one.

Sign #1: Your Competitors Are Dominating AI Overviews While You’re Invisible

Here’s a quick reality check for you. Open ChatGPT or Google and ask a question that your ideal clients would ask about your industry. Something like “What should I look for in a business coach?” or “How do I choose the right online course platform?”

Notice whose advice gets featured in the AI response? If it’s your competitors and not you, that’s your first major red flag.

What this means: While you’ve been perfecting your keyword strategy for traditional search, your competitors have cracked the code on AI discoverability. They’re becoming the trusted voices that AI systems reference and recommend.

Your action step: Start documenting the questions your ideal clients ask during consultations, DMs, and emails. These real questions are absolute gold for GEO optimization. Create comprehensive content that answers these questions better than anyone else in your space – and I mean properly comprehensive, not just a quick blog post.

Sign #2: Your Target Customers Are Asking AI for Business Recommendations

Pay attention to how your clients found you during your next few discovery calls. You might be surprised to hear responses like “I asked ChatGPT about business coaches” or “Google’s AI suggested I look into this type of service.”

This shift in research behaviour is huge, especially among female entrepreneurs who often prefer getting trusted recommendations before making business investments. We’re naturally more inclined to seek advice and validate our decisions – and for many, AI is becoming that trusted advisor.

What this means: Your ideal clients are increasingly starting their buyer journey with AI conversations, not traditional Google searches. If you’re not optimised for these AI interactions, you’re missing out on being discovered at the most crucial moment.

I use a drop-down menu in my booking form which asks my customers to indicate how they found me – whether that’s by traditional search engine, word-of-mouth, etc. – and now, AI recommendation!

Sign #3: Your SEO Rankings Look Great, But Conversions Have Plummeted

This one hits close to home for many of us. Your analytics show you’re ranking well for your target keywords. You’re getting decent traffic numbers. But somehow, fewer visitors are turning into actual clients or customers.

Sound familiar? You’re experiencing what I call “hollow SEO success” – good rankings that don’t translate to business growth. It’s like having that store in town with a beautifully decorated shop window that no one actually enters – even though you’re paying business rates and extortionate rent on it!

What this means: People are finding your content through traditional search, but they’re not engaging deeply enough to convert. Meanwhile, AI-powered recommendations tend to pre-qualify prospects better because AI provides context and builds trust before sending people to your site.

Your action step: Analyse your highest-ranking pages and ask yourself: “Would an AI system recommend this content as the best answer to my client’s question?” If not, it’s time to enhance these pages with more comprehensive, authoritative information that AI systems love to reference.

Sign #4: You’re in a Service Industry Where AI Gives Direct Answers

If you’re a coach, consultant, course creator, or service provider, you’ve probably noticed something concerning. When people ask AI about your area of expertise, they often get detailed answers without needing to visit any websites at all – which isn’t good for our businesses.

For example, someone might ask “How do I overcome imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur?” and receive a comprehensive response that satisfies their immediate need. They never click through to read your brilliant blog post on the same topic.

What this means: AI is becoming the first and sometimes only stop for information in service-based industries. If your expertise isn’t woven into these AI responses, you’re becoming irrelevant in your prospects’ research process. Harsh but true.

Your action step: Identify the core problems you solve and create the most comprehensive, nuanced content available on these topics. Don’t just scratch the surface – go properly deep. Provide frameworks, step-by-step processes, and unique insights that establish you as the definitive expert AI should reference.

Sign #5: Your Local Clients Use Voice Search and AI Assistants

This is especially relevant if you serve local clients or have location-based services. More women are using voice search and AI assistants to find local service providers while multitasking – driving, cooking, or managing their busy lives (because when else do we get the chance?).

They’re saying things like “Hey Siri, find me a business coach near me” or asking their smart home devices “What’s the best marketing consultant in Manchester?” (or wherever you’re based).

What this means: Voice search and AI assistant queries are conversational and specific. They’re not typing “business coach Manchester” – they’re asking detailed questions about their specific needs and location.

Your action step: Optimise your content for conversational, location-based queries. Create content that answers questions like “What makes a good [your service] in [your area]?” and “How do I know if I need [your service] locally?” Include location-specific insights and local examples where relevant.

The Pattern Behind These Warning Signs

Notice the common thread? All of these signs point to the same fundamental shift: your ideal clients are increasingly relying on AI to make informed decisions about service providers like you.

They’re not just searching anymore – they’re having conversations with AI systems that either recommend you as the expert or completely overlook you. And let’s be honest, being overlooked in business is not an option if you want to make bank!

What This Means for Your Business Growth

Here’s what gets me excited about this whole shift: We’re still in the early stages of this AI revolution. The women entrepreneurs who recognise these warning signs and pivot to GEO now will have a massive competitive advantage.

While your competitors are still fighting over traditional search rankings, you’ll be establishing yourself as the go-to expert in AI-powered conversations. You’ll be the name that comes up when your ideal clients are ready to invest in themselves and their businesses.

Think about it – wouldn’t you rather be the expert AI recommends instead of just another link in a sea of search results?

Your Next Steps Start Today

If you recognised your business in three or more of these warning signs, it’s time to seriously consider adding GEO to your marketing strategy. You don’t have to abandon SEO completely (that would be mental), but you do need to start optimising for AI discoverability.

The women entrepreneurs who make this shift now – while most people are still unaware of GEO – will dominate their industries as AI becomes even more integrated into how we search and make decisions.

Ready to stop being invisible in AI conversations and start being the expert voice your ideal clients discover? Your business growth depends on adapting to how people actually find and choose service providers today.

Recognised your business in these warning signs? Download my 50-Point GEO Audit Checklist to see exactly where your website stands in the new world of AI search.