The Future of SEO + AI: Revolutionizing the Automotive Digital Experience – A Beginners Guide

Nick Askew, Space Auto – Chief Executive Officer

The Future of SEO + AI: As the CEO of Space Auto, I’ve always believed that the future of SEO in the automotive industry isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s about setting them. Our mission at Space Auto is to unify automotive dealership tech and elevate the customer experience, and this philosophy extends deeply into how we approach SEO.

In 2011, Twitters best joke (In my absolutely correct opinion) was “An SEO copywriter walks into a bar, grill, pub, public house, Irish bar, bartender, drinks, beer, wine, liquor…”.

Fortunately for SEO (and unfortunately for my favorite joke)… times are changing.

Embracing AI and Machine Learning

The future of SEO is intrinsically linked with artificial intelligence and machine learning. At Space Auto, we’re not just adapting to this change; we’re driving it. We’ve already created AI tools that are ready for dealerships to use today, offering a level of personalized communication that sets a new standard in the industry. This AI-driven approach allows us to analyze user behavior more effectively, optimize content in real-time, and provide deeper insights into customer preferences. It’s not just about ranking higher in search results; it’s about understanding and anticipating customer needs before they even articulate them.

Enter your mind palace and Imagine this scenario: On any particular device, a classic search engine such as Google, Bing, even the private search engine beloved by the anti-establishmentarians of the day… DuckDuckGo (which has approximately 0.6% of the market share), uses similar algorithms to provide the user with the most relevant and helpful results based on the search. Why? Because they (the search engines) want users to come back and use them again, and again, and again, and again… so they can sell more ad space. 😉

How is AI changing SEO?

Now come along LLM’s like ChatGPT, Perplexity (seen below), or even Google’s Gemini update… which has AI creeping into standard search results like a technological trojan horse.

Simplified… The main difference is that these models combine all of the internet knowledge they are aware of, coupled with real-time searches to output something that may be deeper and even more helpful to the user. In a nutshell, they’re still providing the same output to the user (which is exactly what the user desires), but in a more intelligent and streamlined way… by combining all of the searches that a user would typically have to do manually and instead of the user reading 15 articles and scouring 15 websites… this is done instantly.

Ultimately saving the user time, our most precious resource. Seen below, you can see the original query, followed by the sources it scoured, including a Fox News article on Space Auto to simply output all of the internets combined knowledge. You then have the ability to ask follow-up questions, and further define your search to get the answers you need, all while retaining the information previously asked.

User-Centric SEO: Beyond Keywords

The days of keyword stuffing and manipulative SEO tactics are long gone (or should be). The future we’re building at Space Auto focuses on user-centric SEO that aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the customer experience. This means creating content and experiences that genuinely serve the user’s needs and intentions.We’re shifting the paradigm by challenging conventional wisdom. Our approach to SEO isn’t about building what others already have; it’s about redefining the road of digital automotive retail. This means optimizing not just for search engines, but for the entire customer journey—from ad buy to car buy.

Mobile-First and Voice Search Optimization

With over 70% to 80% (depending on region) of website activity happening on mobile devices, we’ve made mobile optimization a cornerstone of our SEO strategy. This isn’t just about responsive design; it’s about reimagining the entire user experience for a 3″ by 5″ screen. Moreover, as voice search continues to rise in prominence, we’re adapting our SEO strategies to cater to this more conversational form of search. This aligns perfectly with our goal of creating a seamless, intuitive buying experience where every stage works smoothly together.

Local SEO: Dominating the Neighborhood

For automotive dealerships, local SEO isn’t just important—it’s critical. We’re developing strategies that help dealerships dominate their local search results, ensuring that when potential customers in their area are looking for a vehicle, they find our clients first. This localized approach extends to creating content that resonates with local audiences, optimizing for local keywords, and ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information across all platforms.

Technical SEO: The Backbone of Digital Success

At Space Auto, we believe that technical SEO is the unsung hero of digital success. We’re constantly refining our platform to ensure lightning-fast load times, impeccable site structure, and flawless crawlability. This technical excellence not only improves search rankings but also enhances the overall user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement.

Content That Converts

The future of SEO isn’t just about attracting traffic; it’s about converting that traffic into sales. We’re pioneering content strategies that not only rank well but also guide users through the buying process. By focusing on the car—the reason customers visit dealership websites in the first place—we’re creating content that resonates with users and drives conversions.

Daring to Be More: The Future of AI + SEO

The future of SEO in the automotive industry is bright, but only for those willing to innovate and challenge the status quo. At Space Auto, we’re not content with incremental improvements. We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, creating a digital experience that defies expectations. Our approach to SEO isn’t just about helping dealerships survive in the digital age—it’s about helping them thrive. By unifying automotive dealership tech and focusing relentlessly on the entire customer experience, we’re not just preparing for the future of SEO; we’re creating it.

The path forward may be challenging, but it’s also incredibly exciting. As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in automotive digital retail, we invite dealerships to join us in this journey.

Together, we can transform the automotive buying experience and set a new standard for digital excellence in our industry.