Google, AI, and Changes in Search

Let’s clear the air about something that’s been making the rounds lately:

“Google is dead."

You’ve seen it in blog posts, YouTube thumbnails, marketing Slack groups—it’s everywhere. And hey, we get it. With the rise of ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and voice search, it feels like the old-school way of Googling stuff is fading fast.

But here’s the thing: it’s not dead. It’s just evolving.

And if you're a pregnancy center or nonprofit leader tempted to ignore Google because “AI is where it's at now,” you're about to miss real people in real need.

Let’s unpack why.

The Truth: Google Still Rules the Search World

First, the numbers. Google processes over 14 billion searches a day. That’s not a typo. That’s more than 370x the number of daily queries ChatGPT handles.

In fact, in early 2025, Google still holds over 86% of the U.S. search market. That means nearly 9 out of 10 people still start their information hunt on Google — even with AI in the mix.

Here’s where it hits home for pregnancy centers: according to our most recent study, 96% of centers using Google Ads and SEO say it’s their #1 source of abortion-minded patients. And those who invest in Google ads? They report 244% more abortion-minded and abortion-determined clients than those who don’t.

So no—Google is not dead. It’s alive, dominant, and still the most critical place to be visible online.

But Google Is Changing—Fast

Even Google is embracing AI. If you've noticed those new AI Overviews at the top of search results, you’ve seen it in action.

Instead of the usual list of blue links, Google now gives a complete answer, generated by AI, and pulled from actual websites, blogs, and FAQs. That’s huge.

Because it means just ranking #3 in search might not cut it anymore.

That’s where Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) comes in.

What Is AEO—and Why Should Pregnancy Centers Care?

If traditional SEO is about ranking on the list of search engine results… AEO is about being the answer that AI like ChatGPT or Gemini provides to their users.

It’s how you show up in:

• Google’s AI summaries

• Siri’s voice responses

• ChatGPT-style results

Instead of optimizing simply for “pregnancy center near me,” AEO helps you show up when someone asks, “What are my options if I think I’m pregnant?”

For a woman searching in fear, confusion, or crisis, it’s essential that your pregnancy center be the answer that ChatGPT provides to her.

AEO in Action: How to Win at Modern Search

So, what does Answer Engine Optimization actually look like?

To be visible in both traditional and AI-powered search, your content needs to be:

✅ Natural and conversational (think: how people actually talk) ✅ Packed with “near me” phrases  ✅ Structured for voice and AI parsing (FAQs, bullet points, short answers)  ✅ Tagged with schema markup (so Google knows how to read it)  ✅ Linked to your verified Google Business profile

In other words, your site has to speak human and machine fluently.

And yeah, it’s a lot. But that’s why many PLMEC members focus so heavily on pregnancy center AEO and Pro Life AI Solutions. Not just because it’s cool tech, but because it’s mission-critical for centers serving abortion-minded women.

How to Start Showing Up Today

You don’t need a tech degree to make progress here. Here are a few practical next steps:

1. Update your FAQ pages with clear, direct answers in natural language.

2. Add “near me” questions to your service pages.

3. Implement schema markup (or ask your developer to).

4. Update your Google Business Profile—with hours, details on services, and new photos.

Key Takeaways and Questions Answered

If you’re not visible in both places, Google and AI-driven search, you’re going to be invisible in both. A woman’s first search might not lead her to your front door, but it can lead her closer. Here's a quick recap on what we've covered:

1. What’s the difference between SEO and AEO? SEO gets you ranked. AEO gets you answered. SEO targets search engines; AEO targets AI chat tools, voice assistants, and Google’s AI summaries.

   
   

2. Can you use AI ethically? Yes! If you manage in-house, contact the PLMEC for more resources or find a member who is already implementing best AI practices and seeing results.

   
   

3. Will Google disappear because of AI? Not even close. Google is still #1 by a landslide—and it’s incorporating AI, not losing to it. Ignoring Google now is ignoring 85% of the digital landscape.

Contact the PLMEC to find a member today who shares your values and is leading the charge in AI optimization.