In this article, learn about Google's new AI Overview and what yoga teachers can do to better understand the role AI can take in building, growing, and keeping a yoga business thriving–online and beyond. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Google introduced the "AI Overview" feature that summarizes search results at the top of the page using generative AI.
• Generative AI creates text, images, videos, and other data based on prompts.
• AI Overview simplifies searches by summarizing results and suggesting similar searches.
• AI can help yoga businesses by saving time on tasks and improving visibility to clients.
• To benefit from AI Overview, focus on improving SEO and GEO to appear in top search results.
• AI Overview aids in market research and content creation but may have accuracy issues.
• Benefits include increased website traffic and opportunities for valuable content creation.
• Tips for yoga businesses: use AI for content, post user-generated content, prioritize quality, keep content human, practice writing, include testimonials, use keywords, link and cite data, keep information updated, and stay open to changes.
• Embracing AI Overview can help yoga businesses stay competitive and reach more clients.

Understanding Google's AI Overview & Easy Steps To Help Your Yoga Biz

You may have noticed a new feature in your Google searches. At the top of the results page, there is a collection of features under a blue box titled “AI Overview.” This is all made possible through what is called generative AI. Generative AI is any type of artificial intelligence that is capable of generating text, images, videos, or other data in response to prompts.

AI is a controversial concept both in business and in art. So, what does it mean for your yoga business? AI may seem intimidating at first but, just like so many other things, it’s all about mindset. When harnessed with intention and playfulness, you may find that AI Overview on Google makes mundane business tasks take less time and can make highlighting your business to your ideal clients easier. 

So let’s start with the basics:

What is AI Overview?

AI Overview is a feature on the Google search results page that summarizes pages that directly answer your question. Sometimes it will provide overviews that summarize multiple search results, or a comprehensive snapshot of your search results, or suggest similar searches.

The purpose is simple: Google does the googling for you. This is an attempt to simplify the user experience so information gathering is easier and faster. Another example of this is that you can pose more complex questions in the search bar, with multiple qualifiers. For example, people can search for yoga studios with intro offers within a 15 minute walk of their hotel. but Keep in mind that there is some concern about how AI gets the information it spits out. 

Challenges Of AI Overviews

AI Overview is built to show information from the top results. This does not guarantee accuracy, especially because AI is unable to identify some human communication basics like satire. It also will try to answer a question even if the question itself is nonsensical. But there are continuous updates to reduce miscommunication in these areas such as not encouraging the use of AI Overviews for things like nuanced news or health topics.

What Does AI Overview Have To Do With Your Yoga Business?

To put it simply, it depends on how well your website or web presence is prepared for the future. 

For one thing, you might see a decrease in website views if you aren't the top result. AI Overview gathers its information from the top results so if you are lower down the list people may not scroll down the page to access you and your business. Plus, AI Overviews aren't yet showing up for all search queries so now is the time to prepare your yoga business website for the future.

Benefits Of AI Overviews

Since AI Overview is still developing, we have time to optimize our content and learn more through the updates, and get ahead of it. If you are on top of your SEO/GEO game you may start to see record traffic to your website. 

SEO (search engine optimization) improves your ranking on the search results page and GEO (generative engine optimization) makes it easier for Generative AI, specifically, to find and use  your content. Getting featured on AI Overview can be equal to what we used to call getting “above the fold” in the newspaper - it’ll give you an edge on your competition.

Albert Gouyet, of the SEO marketing company BrightEdge said, “For marketers who rely on organic traffic, early indications suggest that AI will help reach new customers and present new opportunities to create content that serves multiple needs and elevates brand performance.”

For your own work as a yoga business owner, AI Overviews may also help you when you’re doing market research, looking up things for your web content, or in general as a search engine user.

When you know how AI Overview works, you can get more information, faster, and with more accuracy than you might have previously.

As mentioned before, there is an influx of incorrect information out there. So it’s just as important to make sure that you know how to find reputable sources in your own searches as it is to establish your website as an expert resource.

SEO/GEO:Easy Tips for Yoga Businesses

Use AI To Make Content

Generative AI is great when it comes to brainstorming and creating first drafts. But don’t fall into false security thinking that AI can do all the work for you! AI can’t replace human humor, satire, figurative language, and voice. Only you can write your message that speaks to your specific audience, only your words from your heart can get your heart-lead business to reach the right people. 

Post Content To Social 

AI Overview is prioritizing user generated content rather than content made by big brands. This can work to your advantage so your little yoga business can be featured on searches that might have otherwise been dominated by other powerhouses of the yoga and wellness industry.

Quality Over Quantity

Yes, posting content you’ve created yourself regularly is important! But don’t create things just to create. AI is looking for content that offers value, not fluff. So, keep targeted and helpful in your messaging. In other words, share questions and answers to those questions. The question-and-answer format may help your AI Overview visibility.

Keep It Human

AI recognizes AI - and AI knows we’re looking for human responses. So, keep it human! Nobody wants to get yoga tips from a robot. If you want to stand out on AI Overview, make sure even AI can tell it’s a real person offering the tips. Keep reading to learn how to do that.

Practice Your Writing

Establish yourself as an expert by speaking with an authoritative voice but make it easy to understand. Provide examples and personal anecdotes, use real-life context that is relatable to your audience, cite your sources.

Include Testimonials

Inbound marketing, “people- first content,” whatever you want to call it, it’s best to prioritize being helpful and human. AI Overview will be looking specifically for reviews and testimonials from real people. Be sure to highlight them on your site!

Your Comments Count

More to this point, your own posts in Reddit/other forums may be pulled into AI Overview. It may help to have a professional account where you offer advice, respond to questions, or instruct others on forums.

Use Keywords

This is a basic SEO tip that remains useful. Keywords are words you can use in your web content that matches what people are searching on Google. You can research keywords through programs like Semrush and Google Ads. A little background research like this can go a long way in your search engine results page ranking. Know what people are searching for on Google so your website can answer their questions directly. When Google searches the web, if your page has these keywords to match the search, it’s more likely that your page will come up as a top result.

Use (and Link/Cite) Data

Another vital SEO practice - link your sources! This not only helps to establish your authority as an expert, it helps Google find your page for people who are searching related topics.

Keep Your Information Up-To-Date 

AI Overview wants to be current and accurate. Make sure you’re updating your intro specials, address, etc, on your website. For example, nothing would discourage a person searching from clicking on your page in their search results than seeing that the last yoga event was from more than a year ago.

Keep An Open Mind

AI Overview is still evolving and learning. The more people use the feature and give feedback on it, the more it will grow and change. This is an opportunity, not a roadblock for your yoga business. You have a chance to constantly tweak and upgrade your web presence.

What To Keep In Mind–Final Thoughts  

As a yoga business owner, you have a million things on your plate at any given time. It might feel intimidating to keep educated on AI and its role in the visibility of your business. But, since this is still a relatively new technology, it’s a great opportunity to become an expert with only a little education. It can help you find an edge on your competitors and help you change the lives of more people.

In short, if you lean into it, AI Overview can be really helpful for the growth of your career and yoga business. It is putting real-life people in the forefront of information. This will also benefit your clients and students. If you are prioritizing online visibility, and if you're keeping competitive in your content creation, you can expect more of your ideal people to find you!