Well, settle in, because Google has finally graced us with their “official” word on how to play the AI game. As you’ve likely guessed, it’s not exactly a “rip up the rulebook” moment—it’s more of a “keep doing the good stuff, but do it even better” kind of vibe.
Here is the lowdown for the readers of David Can’t Swim on Google’s new guidance, released in May 2026:
- SEO is still the bedrock: Forget the wild rumours about secret AI-only tricks. Google confirms that AI search features like AI Overviews are built on the same foundations as traditional search. If your site isn’t technically sound or high-quality enough to rank normally, it’s not getting near the AI features.
- Create “non-commodity” content: Google wants you to stop churning out generic, rehashed fluff. They are hungry for content that reflects real-world expertise, first-hand experience, and unique insights—the kind of stuff only someone who actually knows their onions can write.
- Get visual: Don’t just rely on walls of text. Google’s AI is actively pulling in images and videos to make their answers more helpful. Including your own high-quality media is a brilliant way to stand out.
- Keep your technical house in order: Basics like site speed, mobile-friendliness, and crawlability are non-negotiable. If the bot can’t read your site easily, it’s going to skip you for a competitor who made the effort.
- Stop wasting time on “mythical” hacks: Google explicitly said you can stop stressing over things like:
- Creating “llms.txt” files (they don’t care).
- “Chunking” your content into tiny pieces for AI.
- Rewriting copy just for bots.
- Chasing fake, inauthentic brand mentions.
- Local business is local business: For those of us managing profiles, keep that Google Business Profile sparkling. Ensure your info is accurate, your categories are spot on, and you’re actively managing your reviews. Google’s AI pulls directly from this data for local queries.
- It’s all about the user: At the end of the day, Google’s advice is to focus on what your visitors would genuinely enjoy and find helpful. If your content leaves the user feeling satisfied, you’re on the right track.
In short, it’s back to basics with a focus on quality over gimmickry. I’m keeping on doing the honest, clever work I’ve been doing since ’98—it sounds like it’s more relevant than ever!
Need real help in the Plymouth – Devon Area? Contact David below 🙂