Here’s how Google’s Bard AI search tool could help niche blogs, not hurt them

AI is changing SEO in a good way

Bard is Google’s search engine answer to ChatGPT. It aims to bring you better search results by combining traditional search results with the power of artificial intelligence.

Initially, many bloggers and niche blog owners — like myself — found this threatening. We were already fighting for high rankings against other blogs and high-authority websites — but now we have to fight against Google’s AI too?

The Bard beta launched over the summer of 2023, and to the relief of bloggers everywhere, it looks to be helping informational articles rank higher.

How is Bard operating right now?

At the time of publishing this article, the Bard beta is adding additional generative text alongside top search results to create better query answers.

The Bard answer is generated from the AI piecing together what it deems the best answers to the questions searched.

Since this is just a beta, we’re sure Google will vastly improve upon Bard in the near future. But for now, these AI-generated snippets with top search results are all we’re getting.

How is this helpful to bloggers?

The implementation of Bard helps bloggers in two ways.

1) More traffic

First, top search results are getting included in the Bard snippet.

If you have a high-ranking article, it will continue to get traffic and might even increase in pageviews because now Bard is suggesting it first.

2) Better results

Secondly, Bard’s generated answers to queries are no longer focused on specific questions, it’s focused on finding the best answer. This is a stark contrast to the past.

Previously, to rank for a query like “How long to bake salmon?” you’d have to phrase your blog post in a related format, like: “The optimal time to cook salmon is 12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.” (please don’t quote me on that, I have no culinary skills at all)

But with Bard, the AI is pulling for the highest-quality answers, not answers that best fit the question. There’s a difference.

Looking back at our salmon-baking example, Bard might suggest an answer like this:

“The best temperature to bake salmon will depend on how you’ve prepared the raw fish. Frozen salmon should be baked at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 16 minutes, while slightly chilled salmon can be baked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for between 10–15 minutes depending on how you like it…” (Once again, please do not trust my culinary skills if you’re looking to bake salmon.)

The AI-generated snippet would be followed by a few relevant, high-ranking blog pages about baking salmon. And bloggers are rejoicing.

As long as you’re publishing good answers with high-quality content, which is the goal of running a good blog, your search results will be boosted. Bard will actually be propelling your blog upward.

Also, the quality of traffic is better as well since Bard is suggesting better answers. Readers are more likely to find what they’re looking for on the first click instead of having to search for it and dig down in search results.

The outcome of this will be lower bounce rates and happier audiences.

Takeaways — Don’t be afraid of the AI change

When it seems like AI is making headlines everywhere and threatening to take everyones’ jobs, it’s normal to be a little hesitant.

One thing being an entrepreneur has taught me is to not let my emotions get the best of me. Sure, I don’t always react perfectly to new obstacles and challenges, but keeping a level head always works out in the end.

In this case, Google Bard looks to actually be making positive waves for us bloggers and I’m starting to get excited about it as my niche blog earns more income every month.

Thinking about starting your own niche blog? Here are some tips from yours truly: