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Will AI Kill Local SEO? How Perth Businesses Can Survive the Shift to ChatGPT Search. Google's SGE and ChatGPT Search are changing how customers find local tradies and services. Learn why traditional keywords are dying and what replaces them. Key points: AI search engines prioritise direct answers over keyword-heavy pages.; Structured data (Schema) is critical for being 'read' by AI agents.; Consistent reviews and local citations build the trust AI looks for.; Helpful, deep content beats generic sales copy every time.

AI Search Trends

Will AI Kill Local SEO? How Perth Businesses Can Survive the Shift to ChatGPT Search

Keywords are out. Answer engines are in. Here is how your Perth business gets found by AI agents.

24 January 20257 min read

The shift from '10 blue links' to 'One clear answer'

For twenty years, SEO meant fighting for a spot on Page 1. Today, tools like ChatGPT Search and Google's AI Overviews (SGE) skip the list entirely. They read dozens of pages and synthesise a single, direct answer for the user.

If a Perth homeowner asks, 'Who is the most reliable emergency plumber in Joondalup?', the AI doesn't just look for keywords. It looks for consensus: reviews, consistent details across directories, and helpful content that proves expertise.

Why 'keyword stuffing' stops working in 2025

AI models read like humans, only faster. They can tell the difference between a page stuffed with 'Best plumber Perth' fifty times and a page that actually explains how to isolate a mains water leak.

To rank in AI results, your content needs depth. It needs to answer specific questions (FAQs) and provide structured data (schema) that robots can parse instantly. Thin, generic pages get ignored.

Prediction: By late 2025, over 40% of local service queries will happen via voice or chat agents, bypassing traditional Google Search bars entirely.

How to structure your site for the AI era

Your website needs to speak 'robot' fluently. This means using Schema.org markup for your services, service areas, and reviews. It means your 'About' page needs to clearly define who you are and why you are trusted.

Ascension builds this structure into every Growth Site package. We ensure your pricing, opening hours, and service lists are machine-readable so AI agents can confidently recommend you.

  • Use FAQ sections that answer real customer questions naturally.
  • Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is identical across all platforms.
  • Publish 'how-to' guides that demonstrate local expertise.

Key takeaways

  • • AI search engines prioritise direct answers over keyword-heavy pages.
  • • Structured data (Schema) is critical for being 'read' by AI agents.
  • • Consistent reviews and local citations build the trust AI looks for.
  • • Helpful, deep content beats generic sales copy every time.

FAQs

Does ChatGPT really affect local business search?

Yes. ChatGPT Search and similar tools are rapidly becoming the default way users find specific answers, including local service recommendations.

Do I need to rebuild my website for AI?

Not necessarily a full rebuild, but you likely need technical SEO updates (schema markup) and a content strategy that answers questions, not just sells.

Next step

See if your current site is ready for the AI search shift. We check your schema, content depth, and technical foundations.

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AI search local businessChatGPT search optimization PerthGoogle SGE local SEOfuture of SEO Australiaoptimizing for answer engines
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