Optimizing SEO for AI-Driven Search

“AI-powered search” and “AIOs” (AI Overviews) are transforming how customers find dealerships online. At Dealers United, we're already ahead of this shift—actively implementing proven strategies to boost your dealership’s visibility, authority, and relevance in AI-driven results.

In this article, you’ll discover exactly what we’re doing to keep your dealership at the forefront, plus actionable steps your team can take immediately to dominate AI-powered search.

1. Building Your Dealership’s Online Identity (Dealers United)

As your SEO partner, we’re already making sure your dealership is recognized as a trusted entity by search engines and AI platforms. This includes claiming and optimizing your business listings (Google, Bing, Apple Maps), getting you featured in reputable directories, and adding structured data to your website. These steps help AI systems understand who you are and boost your chances of being recommended in AI-generated answers.

2. Optimizing Content for AI Discovery (Dealers United)

Our team creates and updates your website content to be easily understood by both users and AI. This means answering common customer questions directly, using clear headings, and providing concise summaries at the top of key pages. Our goal is to make your content the go-to resource for both shoppers and search engines. Plus, before anything else, we’re making sure your website is technically sound: secure, mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and free of errors. This solid foundation is crucial for both user experience and AI recognition.

3. Strengthening Core SEO Foundations (Dealers United - Our bread and butter!)

Traditional SEO remains essential. We’re continuing to build high-quality backlinks, well-structured data, and content. Consistency and credibility across all platforms help reinforce your authority in the eyes of both customers and AI.

Pro Tip for AI Dominance: Highlight your certifications and awards. Encourage customers to leave positive reviews, as AI crawlers are also using this data to back up their results.

4. Growing Your Brand’s Search Presence (Collaboration between Dealers United and your dealership)

We’re actively working to increase the number of people searching for your dealership by name. This includes securing placements in “best dealership” lists and, where possible, running targeted online ads on Google and Meta alongside your SEO efforts. The more people who know and look for your brand, the more search engines trust and recommend you.

5. Expanding Video Content (Collaboration between Dealers United and your dealership)

AI-powered search tools are increasingly referencing video content. With your team producing videos (like vehicle walkthroughs and service tips), we can help complete your video strategy by posting them on your site with detailed descriptions and chaptering/timestamps which will increases your visibility in AI-driven results.

Pro Tip for AI Dominance: Don’t let your website be where your video strategy ends. Share your video content organically on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other relevant channels.

6. Cross-Posting and ALT Text (Your dealership)

While Dealers United has a hand in your digital strategy, one of the most crucial steps to increasing your AI Search appearances falls directly to you and your team! Be sure you and your team are cross-posting and sharing content (primarily videos) to your other organic channels, including:

YouTube Shorts
LinkedIn Posts
Instagram Reels and Stories
Facebook Posts and Stories
Pinterest posts
TikTok videos
X feed

Be sure to use ALT text, keywords, and descriptions where possible to help search engines use that context to further increase your visibility and recognize you as a topic thought leader.

Conclusion: A Holistic, Collaborative Approach

The AI search ecosystem is complex, and expands well beyond your website—in fact, some of the most crucial elements (like cross-posting and video), are done outside of what an SEO providers are able to action.

That’s why we consider this new opportunity more of a holistic digital strategy effort that your dealership and our team must collaborate on in order for the best possible results.

We’re not chasing quick fixes. Instead, we’re investing in strategies that build lasting authority and trust—so your dealership is always ahead as search technology evolves.

If you have any questions or want to discuss these strategies further, we’re here to help!

Contact your Account Manager if you have any questions, or email us at performance@dealersunited.com!