Embrace the Change: Why Your Law Firm Needs to Optimize for SearchGPT

SearchGPT is here, and if you’re not familiar with the term yet, you will be soon. A few months ago, most of us had not heard of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot that can answer questions and provide information in a near instant. Soon, we will be wondering how we ever used the internet without SearchGPT—or at least that’s our opinion….

What is SearchGPT?

SearchGPT is Open AI’s new AI-powered search engine. It’s like Google but powered with AI. In the summer of 2024, Open AI announced the introduction of the platform they call SearchGPT, a prototype AI-powered search engine designed to provide fast, conversational answers with source attribution. 

From the early previews, the bot appears to be fast and conversational. It provides answers on one side of the screen with citations or sources on the other. The platform’s conversational and chat-like nature is what makes it different from transitional search engines, like Google, for example.

The Importance of Source Attribution

While we can’t say for certain yet, we believe that source attribution will become the “new name in the game” in law firm internet marketing. 

The introduction of SearchGPT marketing will make one of the source attributions as coveted as the number one spot on the Google search results page. Based on what we have seen to date, we predict that it may change how we optimize content. SearchGPT is more conversational, which suggests that longer-tail keywords and even questions and sentence fragments may become more naturally searched for than the traditional keyword structure. 

Here are some possible examples:

• Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer > Can you tell me who the best PI lawyer in Fort Lauderdale is? 
• Miami car accident attorney > I got in a car accident last night and need to speak with an attorney who can answer my phone call today. Who should I call? 
• Tampa estate planning attorney > I need help creating a will. Can you recommend the best estate planning attorney near me?
• Tallahassee business attorney > I’m starting a new business and need legal advice on creating an LLC and drafting contracts. 

Another critical factor is that SearchGPT allows users to set their location. As marketers, we know this enhances local search capabilities and helps create more accurate and relevant results for queries that include “near me” references.

• Can you recommend a car accident lawyer near me?
• Can you recommend a black attorney to draft a will near me?
• Who is the closest criminal defense lawyer to me?

Again, it’s impossible to say for sure, but we can safely bet that new optimization and content generation techniques will become vital to being cited as a SearchGPT citation. 

Benefits of SearchGPT

Ad-Free Experience

SearchGPT offers users an ad-free search environment, which enhances the overall experience by allowing them to focus solely on the information they seek without distractions from advertisements. This user-friendly approach makes SearchGPT more appealing and trustworthy for those seeking reliable answers.

Chrome Extension

With the convenience of a Chrome extension, users can easily make SearchGPT their default search engine, potentially shifting their search habits away from traditional platforms like Google and Bing. It is a seamless integration into everyday browsing, encouraging frequent use and positioning SearchGPT as a go-to resource.

Conversational Follow-Up Questions

The conversational nature of SearchGPT allows users to ask follow-up questions more naturally, moving away from rigid keyword-based searches. The shift encourages more profound engagement with the content and creates more opportunities for users to explore niche topics, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of content strategy and optimization efforts.

Becoming a SearchGPT Citation

We’re not afraid to admit that we don’t know the winning strategy now, but we will soon. To stay ahead of the game, we recommend talking about investing in a SearchGPT Audit, which helps identify critical queries and topics. Our SearchGPT Optimization services, centered on optimizing content to align with SearchGPT’s conversational nature, may be best for many clients generating content regularly.

Unlock Your Firm’s Potential: Embrace the SearchGPT Revolution

By understanding and leveraging the unique features of this AI-powered search engine, which is sure to disrupt what we know as marketing best practices, law firms can get ahead of maintaining and possibly even enhancing their visibility online. Don’t miss the opportunity to position your firm for success in this new digital marketing era. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how PaperStreet can help you navigate the complexities of SearchGPT and ensure your website is optimized for this game-changing technology, contact us today.