AI Is the New Search Engine

AI is the New Search Engine

AI is the New Search Engine

And Your Personal Brand Is What It’s Looking For

Recently, I asked ChatGPT to write a Wikipedia page about me.

Yep, seriously. The prompt was: “Using publicly available information, including LinkedIn, write a Wikipedia page about me, Jennifer Stinnett.”

It was a fun experiment… but it led to a much bigger thought:

If AI is pulling information from public data, then what is it finding about YOU?

That turned into the theme of our latest Clickable Bytes newsletter.

We just sent it out (you can read it here) — but in this blog post, I want to get real about something even deeper:

AI is changing how people find you. Not just Google. Not just social. AI tools are becoming the new gatekeepers of discoverability.

So if you’re building a personal brand or business presence… this matters. A lot.

The Big Shift From Google to AI-Based Search

We used to obsess over ranking on Google. Keywords. Backlinks. All that SEO jazz.

But now? People are typing full questions into tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity instead:

“Who are some experts in AI marketing?” “Best small business coaches for online branding?”

If AI doesn’t know you exist… you’re invisible.

Why Being Authentic Online Is the Key to Being Found

Let’s get one thing clear: AI doesn’t just scrape websites — it reads the STORY you’re telling online.

Modern AI tools use natural language processing (NLP) to analyze not just your keywords, but the context and tone of your content. That means your website copy, social media bios, podcast appearances, and even your newsletter intros help shape how AI understands and summarizes who you are. It’s less about keywords and more about clarity, consistency, and connection.

So yes — what you post matters. But how consistently and clearly you tell your story across platforms matters even more.

(sources: Enhancing Web Scraping with Artificial Intelligence: A Review 

How AI Is Revolutionizing Web Scraping & the Future of Data Collection)

And if you’re only posting generic content, or hiding behind your logo, or not sharing your expertise anywhere… AI can’t help people find you.

Here’s what actually works:

  • Sharing stories about what you do and who you help
  • Getting quoted in podcasts or blogs (AI LOVES citations)
  • Publishing thoughtful posts on LinkedIn or your website

It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be real.

AI Isn’t the Enemy of Authenticity — It’s the Filter for It

Some people worry AI will replace their voice. I say: only if you let it.

When you use AI to support your content (not replace it), you:

  • Save time on structure and drafts
  • Create consistency across platforms
  • Get help getting started — so you can actually show up more

And the cool part? The more clear and consistent you are online, the easier it is for AI to learn who you are and what you do.

5 Ways to Be Discoverable in the AI Era

  1. Be consistent with your name + niche
    Audit your online presence. Is your name spelled the same way across platforms? Does your Instagram bio match your LinkedIn headline? Consistency helps AI understand who you are. Create a one-liner that defines your niche and use it in every profile and bio.
  2. Show up on other people’s platforms
    Start with low-hanging fruit: offer to be a guest on a podcast, contribute a quote to an industry blog, or collaborate on a joint Instagram Live. AI pulls from third-party citations — the more you’re mentioned, the more you’re indexed.
  3. Use AI to support your content, not write it for you
    Open ChatGPT or another AI tool and say, “Give me 5 content ideas based on [your niche].” Use those ideas as a springboard, but rewrite everything in your own voice. Think of AI as your brainstorming assistant, not your ghostwriter.
  4. Answer real questions in your content
    Think about the actual questions your audience asks you in emails, DMs, or consultations. Use those as blog post titles, LinkedIn posts, or Instagram captions. The more natural-language Q&A you create, the more AI sees you as a helpful source.
  5. Let your personality come through
    Post a behind-the-scenes story. Share what you believe in. Write the way you speak. AI can spot patterns in tone, and readers will remember a voice that feels human. The more “you” your content is, the more trust you’ll build — with both humans and machines.

You’re Not Invisible — You’re Just Not Indexed Yet

If AI tools can’t find you, they can’t recommend you.

But you don’t need to become an influencer or SEO wizard. You just need to show up. Share your thoughts. Be consistent.

Authenticity is your superpower. AI can help spread it further — but it starts with you.

PS: If this hit home, go check out the newsletter version here.

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