Search Artificial Intelligence Optimization (SAIO) appears to be a complementary digital marketing strategy to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). With AI-based search results appearing across major search engines, the discovery of website content suitable for conversational agents continues the theme of business discoverability. This shift in metrics reflects a transition from designing for people to designing for algorithms.
It also raises questions about when ads will start appearing in agent-based search conversations for monetization. AI-generated ads are currently implemented on a few platforms, as well as within AI-based ad creative infrastructure. In the context of multi-agent systems, how effective are ads if an agent operates on a user’s behalf? Or, in the case of paid ads, would the agent automatically forward the ad to the user without discernment?