Loading…
Auto-generated; may contain errors.
Loading transcript…
Hello and welcome to the show. Today's episode is being recorded at my desk and the kids are home for the holidays, so expect to hear some interruptions running on in the background. This show is focused on business education and so you get to send me your questions every once in a while. The number to call me or to WhatsApp me or to send a WhatsApp message to me. Sorry, call WhatsApp or SMS is 08064662140. Again, the number to call SMS on WhatsApp is 08064662140.
Today. The question, or rather the issue that I would like for us to tackle is SEO in the age of AI. Now I know that's a bunch of acronyms. So, you know, before you flip to another podcast, just hang on in there and I'll break things down real quick. So SEO just means search engine optimization. That is what the full name means. That's what the full acronym means. But the way I like to explain it, SEO just means how do people find me on the Internet so that they can do business with me.
So remember, the technical name is search engine optimization, but the way I choose to define it is how can people find me on the Internet so that they do business with me? That has always been the focus of SEO, no matter how it is that you choose to define it. Then AI, artificial intelligence, I do not like those that term because it's faulty, because these algorithms are not intelligent. In fact, I think they help to augment human intelligence.
And really, AI is not necessarily intelligent per SE, but AI is just, how I put it, computation, data computation on a very massive scale. So it's impressive what it is that these algorithms can do. But AI is just algorithms. But anyway, when people say AI, that's what they mean, artificial intelligence. So when we say SEO in the age of AI, we're just simply saying, how can I get found on the Internet so that people do business with me in today's age when people are mostly using AI
to connect to the Internet? So why is this a problem? It's a problem or it's something to consider because the old school ways of doing business. But by the way, when I say old school, you know, I mean relatively speaking, because I'm a young man, you know, I don't have Gray hair or anything, but I started off business as a wedding photographer back in the day when Google was the only game in town. So SEO adjustment, how do people find me on Google so that they can do business with me?
That was a particular way, but now people are looking for getting information from the Internet in a different way. Now, some of you might say that, look, guy, that's not really a Nigerian problem. Everybody still uses Google in Niger. I use Google, Moms uses Google, Pops uses Google, Lecturer uses Google, or guy I work uses Google. Everybody uses Google. It's going to be a while before Nigerians start using AI to find information on the Internet.
So this is not a Nigerian problem. Well, I don't know, maybe because you know, I haven't seen any studies on the matter. So maybe most Nigerians are still using Google and Bing and all those other search engine. But I think in time global trends are going to catch up to Nigeria where people are going to be going straight to AI charity BT perplexity. What else? copilot Google Gemini and be asking their queries straight in the AII.
Think it's only a matter of time because from some studies that we've seen in America particularly, it looks as if some people are beginning to shift even amongst the old folks, you know, all folks now instead of before typing in Google, you know, what are the signs of glaucoma? You type it in Google and then some links will come out. Then maybe you click on Wikipedia. You know, some people are just going straight to Google.
Gemini, what are the signs of glaucoma? So that if, you know, Mumsy or Popsy or your old uncle is trying to figure out, do they have glaucoma? Yeah. And they just go straight Gemini. So well, but of course, you know, that's personal medical stuff. So let's bring it down. Let's make it much more relevant. So an example of that would be somebody nowadays going into Google Gemini and tap and typing which is the best Amala restaurant in Nigeria instead of typing the same query into Google.
So let me repeat so that you guys get the impact of what it is. And I'm saying in the old days when I started off in business as a wedding photographer, OK, let me say I was an Amalia entrepreneur. So let's say 20 years ago as an Amalia entrepreneur, my goal would be that if somebody goes and types into Google what is the best Amalia restaurant in Abuja, my name will show on page one. My name will show on the list, My name will show on the SERP,
that is the search engine results page. My name will show, you know, my Google business profile, you know, share like information about me will just pop up on the window. But now if somebody is an Amala connoisseur and they're looking for a nice place to get some swallow, some correct swallow, my thesis is that over time things will change so that even in Niger, people won't type this thing into Google search. They will type it into Google Gemini or they will type it into what's it called ChatGPT or they will type it into what's the other one, I can't remember.
They will type it which is the best Amala restaurant in Abuja. Now some of you will say what's the difference? I don't get it. See this is the difference on an old school style. Remember when I say old school, I mean relatively speaking because I'm a young man just like you. I'm still young, no Gray hairs yet. I'm just saying that 20 years ago when someone all started his horses, the only game in town was Google. There was no AI.
So in those days, now Azan Amala connoisseur, now, if you type in that kind of thing in Google, the hope is that your name is going to show up with maybe six or seven other people. But The thing is, at least you stood a chance because when you do it, Google will throw up your name, some other people's name. And the person who is doing the search is the person that's responsible for wading through everything to make up their mind.
So you have a chance because you're how do you say that thing again? You're Abby. Your name is still in the heart. You still have a fighting chance because they can still pick you on that AI. Now on a new school, first of all, all of them have chosen to use what's this thing called a chat, a chat, a chat prompt, just a chat window. So basically the thing opens and it's just one square where you type in your question. So honor this new thing.
Now you just type in your question. The answers tend to be more restrictive and they tend to be more prescriptive. Now let me explain what I mean when I say restrictive. It means the number of options that is showing is small because remember, under Google, they'll show you plenty. They'll show six or seven other competitors that will show plenty, plenty, plenty. And like, here's the information on you make up your mind.
But on that AI, they'll show small. Maybe you know, four or five. And then it's more prescriptive, prescriptive. Prescriptive just means that the AI is going to give you a recommendation. They'll say, this is what I recommend. Go and use these people if you don't believe me. I decided to do small experiment before I started recording today's episode. So I decided to type which is the best Amala restaurant in Abuja and I hit Google Gemini.
Now let me quote exactly what Google Gemini said and I'm reading now. Here are some Amala restaurants in Abuja along with their ratings #1 Amala GSM top restaurant in Nigeria located at blah blah blah. They're open every day from this to this, Contact them at phone number. They have a rating of five stars #2 Amala 247 situated at 16th Ave. Blah Blah blah. Open from this to this Monday to Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.
They have a rating of 4.5 #3. Amala Central found at Blah Blah Blah Ave. in Abuja district. Open from this to this Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays. They have a rating of 4.3. You can contact them at phone number Amala Sky located at blah blah blah. You know the whole thing. What are they? You said 12345. They give 5 businesses. This is it. This is where located. This is their phone number. This is when they're closed.
Call them. This is their rating. This is the average rating based. OK, let me finish what they said now. This is what they think said. Now based on these ratings, Amala GSM appears to be the best option. Would you like directions for any of these restaurants? That's how the prompt now ended. I'll be the response. That's how the response ended. So you can see that they gave me 5 options and then they gave one recommendation.
They said based on these ratings, Amala GSM does the spot for you. Do you want to know how to get to Amala GSM? So you can say that this is not like before. If you don't believe me, I now did the same search in Google. Just Google, you know ordinary search engine Google because Gemini is a Google's artificial intelligence tool. So I just decided to use a Google web search and just search. And this is what happened. It opened one big window.
Then he had Google My Business profiles like 4. If this is the first time listening to the show, Google My Business profile is basically how I describe it now. OK, Google My Business profile, it's sort of like a a tab on the Internet that has every all the information about your business. Hopefully you would have claimed all the information about your business and tidied everything up so that all the information is accurate.
So that under the Google My Business, it will show the name of your business, it will show the address, it will show the phone number, it will show Google Maps directions, it will show photos or videos that you've put up online, you know, stuff like that. So if you haven't claimed claimed your Google My Business profile, please do so. If you want to know how to do it, just use an AI tool, check ChatGPT, just type in there.
How do I claim my Google? Google My Business profile? It'll give you instructions. Follow it. Go ahead and claim it. Useful resource. So the same search now under Google. Sorry, excuse me, let me look at my notes. Which is the best Amala restaurant in Abuja? Now this is what Google did. First of all, it opened up a big window and then it showed Google My Business profile. It showed four different businesses. Then it now started showing me Instagram and Tiktok videos.
I didn't know that Instagram and Tiktok videos show up in Google search now when they were there. So different videos, Tiktok, Instagram. Then it started showing me specific Instagram handles for different businesses. Then the thing started giving me TripAdvisor recommendations and I was really tripped because I didn't know that foreigners, you know, before they enter Abuja, they're typing things like, you know, what is the best Amala joint in Abuja?
You know, I had no idea. So I guess people come here to eat, you know, people come from Obudu to come and eat Amala in Abuja. I guess it's not just Lagos that has the monopoly on on swallow. So it also put TripAdvisor recommendations. After that, it now goes another section. People also search for. You know, that's when Google shows that OK, even though you're searching for Amala, people also searching for beggarly, people also searching for fufu, people also searching for this, for that, blah, blah,
blah. Just put everything there. Then after that, the next segment was recommended articles. There was one article there from zicoco.com. I didn't check it out, but I know that Zicoco. Then do you know whoever they are, they are reviewing Amala joints. Then it also showed YouTube videos and then it showed images. So this is all the information that came up when I did Google Now. Let me repeat for ChatGPT, sorry not ChatGPT for AI Google Gemini when I ran the search he gave me 5 names straight to the point and then he now said based on all this information, this one is the best.
Would you like directions to the place straight up straightforward but under Google for best Amala joints in Abuja that this is all the information he gave me. Google My Business profile, it showed me four different business Instagram and TikTok videos it started showing me plenty. Instagram handles it started showing me plenty. TripAdvisor started showing me TripAdvisor recommendations. It also showed people also search for so I can look at make up my mind.
It now showed recommended articles. Then it now showed YouTube videos. Then it also showed images. Now this is the point that I've been trying to make from the beginning of the episode. Now under the under the tenure of Google old school SEO, it is the searcher, me the person who typed in best Amala joints in Abuja. It is left to me to decide. Google will throw up plenty of things on page one, plenty of things on page 2.
It is left to me to start running through everything and then I will decide. Yes, most people don't go more than page one on the Google search. But The thing is at least it was left to the search or to decide. But on that, AIAI is the one that decides. AI will say best on my ignitions. Since I know everything, I have categorized that these five, these are the best in Abuja. Out of these five, this particular one is number one.
Do you want the address? So you can see now that the stakes for being found on the Internet it it has changed, it's becoming more harsh. Let me put it that way. Under the general domain of Google, you stood a chance, but now it looks like you have to be the absolute GOAT. Like you have to be the shit. You have to be the ish. Sorry, forgive me for swearing. You know, to make it to this page on the AI where they're going to give the top something and then, you know, give you as the top recommendation.
Now remember, in case you're not been following what is SEO, if this is your first time of hearing this, Sorry if I'm being pedantic, It's just that the time I had to speak to market women in sorry, not market women business women in Abuja was a training on marketing for female business owners by I can't remember these people, but this was back in November when we got to the section on SEO. You know, I said how many of you have heard of SEOI don't believe in the room of 20 something women, only one hand went up.
You know, I was shocked. I was like, OK, I guess most people don't know what SEO is. Maybe I take it for granted because, you know, sales, marketing, that's my thing. So we hear about these terms, but yeah, there are lots of people there still don't know what SEO is. So SEO, search engine optimization just means how can I be found on the Internet so that it makes it easy for people to do business with me. In the old days, it meant how can I be found on Google so that people can do business with me.
Now we now have to ask ourselves how can I be found on AI so that people can do business with me? Well, like I said, some people will say, look, Nigerians are still searching on Google. OK, maybe that's the case. But after a while, I think the trend will catch up and Nigerians will start searching on AI. So in the old days, how can I be found on the Internet? How can I be found on Google? The answer to the question was simple.
Create content and put it on the web. Put it on your website. Put it on social media. Optimize your websites. Make sure all the technical parameters of your websites check out. Then get back links to other websites. Websites that are authority leading. That just means websites that people recognize as this is where you go when you want the information. An example that I can give I hope it still, I don't know if Bella Niger still exists, but back when we were starting in the event business back in the day, there was only Bella Niger.
So all these other websites now that compare weddings, compare vendors and show photographs and things like that, all those websites did not exist. Bella Niger was new and Bella Niger was the thing. So as a wedding photographer back then, if your photos or your website featured on on Bella Niger, it was a big deal. People will see Bella and Nigel, see your website, see your photos. Will this guy is a correct photographer, then they'll buzz you up.
So essentially that's what backlinking is. Is there a website that has lots of authority in your space that your customers and clients that they respect? How can you make sure that this particular website writes about, you put your materials up and then puts a link back to your website? So that was also a big SEO strategy back then. Nowadays that it looks like we're going to enter into the world of AI, what are we supposed to do?
To be honest, I have no idea because it's not my area of specialty. So maybe we have to do the same old things. Maybe to be honest, that is my strategy because even with Google, even before I had the podcast, my strategy has always been to overwhelm the Internet with valuable content. And that's why I've been still been at this over five years. I think we have close to 1090 episodes available now. And yeah, about 1090 on the podcast.
If you include all the stuff that I put on on on YouTube, we're definitely over 1100 free resources where I answer questions, I provide answers to client queries, you know, So the whole strategy for me has always been I am going to overwhelm the Internet with valuable content so that whenever someone asks a question on Google, I will be one of the recommended resources for the when people have to throw up an answer. So that's always my strategy.
And my guess is maybe that is still going to work in the age of AI. Well, one thing though, lots of people are afraid about intellectual property. You don't want the ideas to be stolen, and so they're looking for ways to stop their things from being found or indexed or searched by AI. In my opinion, I think that is bad news because in the future I suspect that people are going to be accessing the Internet through AI. So by all means, remove your personal stuff on the Internet,
all the things you put up about your husband, your wife, your kids, your home address, where you went for holiday, your graduation picture, like take all that stuff down. But in the business stuff, please make it freely available so they can be searched and indexed by everybody, by Google Gemini, by ChatGPT, by whatever. So instead of this whole thing that people are doing, just blanket remove yourself so that AI can find you or AI doesn't have access to your stuff.
Like, no, that's not the answer. The thing is, remove information about your address, your husband's name, your children's name, your wife's name, your home address, you know? So remove all that personal stuff. But for the business things, please make it freely available so that whatever it is happens to be raining, whether it's Google or Bing or Gemini or ChatGPT Abec, just make us available. Let them find you. So my strategy of overwhelming the Internet with valuable content, is it working maybe in Google?
Yeah, definitely. I show up. But when it comes to AI recommendations for sales, sales and business development and sales coaching and stuff like that, I am not showing up in recommendations yet. The names I see are mostly two or three Lagos based businesses. And yeah, those ones I've been in the game for for a while. I mean, they've been doing this for like 1520 years. So I mean, of course they'll be there. But I suspect that my strategy will work and so things might change soon because I am putting out lots of useful stuff and I'm being found everyday of on YouTube and over here on the podcast, on Spotify.
People sending in questions, people sending in words of encouragement and people using my resources and getting progress in their business. And also reaching out to me privately saying, you know, bro, thanks, I tried this, this is how it worked. Thank you very much. All This is how we did not work. What did I do wrong? And then we chat some more and I make some more recommendations. So yeah, maybe. However, I noticed one thing.
If you search for me specifically, some good information comes up in AI. And with that, I'm proud. So let me give you a sample of what AI put up in front. Let me quote it. When I checked, it was also Gemini that I checked and this is what Gemini said about me. Based on search results, Tavishima Ayedi appears to be a multifaceted individual with expertise in business growth and related areas. Here's a summary of what I
found. Business growth consultant and podcaster Tavishima Ayedi is identified as a seasoned business growth consultant. He is also active in podcasting, using this medium to share his knowledge and insights. Focus on business skills. His work covers areas like marketing, sales, and client relationship management. He provides guidance on topics such as effective marketing strategies, CRM bracket, customer relationship management, general business growth.
Educational Content He creates educational content including courses and discussions aimed at helping individuals and businesses thrive. Information shows that he provides content on platforms such as Learned Skills Africa and also he has a presence on YouTube and also information on msmehub2.com. Emphasis on Relationship building A recurring theme in his work is the importance of building strong client relationships.
In essence, Tavishma Aidi is a professional who shares his expertise in business development through various online platforms. That is what I found when I started looking for me specifically using AI. And I won't lie, I would have liked to include some more stuff. But I feel good that if somebody searches for me on Gemini or char GBT or Perplexity or whatever, that this is the kind of stuff that they're going to find.
So for me, it's hopeful. I'm hopeful. It shows that my strategy is working somewhat, even though I'm not there yet. But this is the big question. What about you, dear listener, the business person who is listening to this particular episode? Some of you still don't show up in Google, not to talk of showing up in AI searches. You and I, we should be doing the best we can to learn and see what we can do about this because I suspect that in a couple of years people won't go to Google and search best photographer in Abuja or best Amala joint in Abuja.
I suspect somebody would just open up char GPT and then just say, dear char GPT, where's the best full food joint in Abuja? I suspect in a few years, and let me not predict, but I'll be surprising like maybe five years. That's what Nigerians are doing. That's how they're searching. And if I'm wrong, then I guess I'm just a rumor monger. I be a fear monger and there's nothing to worry about, but either way, we should be doing our best to learn and see what to do about it.
Now if you have questions about how to be found on AI engines, just like I said at the top of the episode, please do not contact me because it is not my area of specialty. So AI is not my area of specialty. I just use AI for every single thing that I do every day, but that's not my area of specialty. My area of specialty is sales business development, especially personal sales situations where you are engaged with a customer one-on-one, a potential client one-on-one, and you're having problems figuring out who this person is.
Understanding what they want, making an effective proposal, closing the deal, nurturing the relationship, making sure that they come back to buy from you again, and also making sure that they refer friends, family members and associates to you. If those are the sorts of problems that you have that hit me up. I am your guy. But regarding this whole being found on AI, think if my strategy of overwhelming with value valuable content works,
I'll be sure to let you guys know. It's just that hopefully it wouldn't be too late for some of you. But really, we should all be doing this research. So take the challenge, you know, go on Google, go on Google your business, see what you can find. Then try AI and check yourself on AI engines. You know what comes up about you, what comes up about your business, you know, give yourself a sense of what people might find or what people might not find if they happen to search for you.
Now, if you find this show to be valuable and you would like to get in touch because you have questions or you want a strategy session or a business audit, the number to reach out to me on is 08064662140. Again, the number is 08064 662140. The country code is +234. Thank you very much for your time and attention. I'll catch you guys at the next episode.