Search Engines and AI: What You Need to Know About the Future of Search Results
Let’s say a couple is planning a night out in Sydney. One of them opens their phone and says, “Hey ChatGPT, find a cosy Italian restaurant nearby with gluten-free pasta and great cocktails.”
Now, here’s the twist: they didn’t type that into Google. They asked an AI assistant — and it’s not just pulling up a list of websites. It’s giving them a specific answer.
Is your restaurant part of that answer?
Welcome to the world of AI Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — the next evolution of how customers discover restaurants like yours. If you’ve got a basic grasp on SEO (search engine optimisation), you’re already on the right track. But the game is changing, and we’re here to help you keep up.
So, What is AEO and GEO?
Let’s break it down — minus the tech headache.
Traditional SEO
SEO is all about helping your website show up when someone searches on Google. It involves things like keywords, page titles, backlinks, and mobile-friendly design. If someone types “best ramen in Sydney,” you want your ramen joint to rank at the top.
AI Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)
This is about optimising your content for AI tools like ChatGPT, Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. These tools answer questions - they don’t show lists of websites. If someone asks “What’s a good vegan-friendly Thai restaurant open late near me?”, the AI tries to give one helpful answer.
With AEO, your content needs to be structured and clear enough for AI to understand it and trust it.
Why Should Restaurant Owners Care?
Because search habits are changing fast - and your potential diners are increasingly relying on AI for recommendations.
Here’s what that means:
People are searching with questions, not keywords.
“Where can I get a dog-friendly brunch with live music?” is the new “brunch Surry Hills.”AI gives fewer options, not more.
Instead of listing 10 restaurants, it may suggest just one or two. You want to be one of them.The AI pulls info from across the web - not just your website.
Reviews, your menu, your Google listing, even your Instagram captions can shape what the AI recommends.
What You Can Do (Without Being a Tech Genius)
Here’s how to get your restaurant ready for the AI-powered search era:
1. Make your website clear, structured, and scannable
AI needs to understand your site fast. That means:
A properly formatted menu (not just a PDF!)
Clear opening hours and contact info
Location details with suburb names
Structured content using headings and simple language
🧑🍳 Example: Instead of “We serve food you’ll love,” try “Our menu features handmade gnocchi, fresh seafood, and vegetarian pasta.”
2. Use schema markup (aka structured data)
This is code that helps AI “read” your site — things like what your hours are, whether you take bookings, what type of cuisine you serve.
A good web team can set this up — think of it as translating your site into a language that AI understands fluently.
3. Keep your Google Business Profile up to date
AI pulls from your Google listing, so make sure your info is current - photos, hours, menu links, and even reviews.
💡 Pro tip: Add FAQs like “Do you have gluten-free options?” or “Is your venue dog-friendly?” — these can surface in AI responses.
4. Encourage and manage reviews
AI engines trust reviews. Positive ones boost your credibility, and keywords in reviews (e.g. “romantic date night” or “best dumplings in Bondi”) help AI connect the dots.
5. Answer questions before they’re asked
On your site and social media, answer the types of questions people ask AI:
“Do you have a kids’ menu?”
“Can I book for 12 people?”
“What’s your most popular dish?”
This is AEO and GEO in action - anticipating what your customers want to know.
Final Bite: Stay on the Menu
The search landscape is shifting from links to answers, from pages to experiences. If your restaurant wants to stay discoverable, you need to think beyond keywords and start speaking AI’s language.
The good news? You don’t have to become a tech wizard to make it work. With the right strategy — and a team that understands how hospitality and AI overlap — you can make sure your restaurant doesn’t just show up, but stands out.
Need help optimising your restaurant for the future of search?
We stay ahead of the algorithm, so you can stay focused on great food and good service. Let’s talk AEO, GEO, and how to keep your business on everyone’s lips (and their search results).
