Customer Journeys

How to build content that works for AI-searches (and your business)

Optimize your content for AI searches and enhance your business strategy with tips on understanding your customer journey.


The way we search for new information is evolving. How many times have you turned to ChatGPT to search for something to dodge the ad-filled and indirect answers on Google?

AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini are becoming the go-to source for answering quick questions, problem-solving, and even discovering new brands. Customers expect those tools to provide clear, concise, and relevant answers that help them understand your product, service, or industry. This aligns with the evolving customer experience—customers expect a seamless, intuitive experience at every touchpoint, from searching for information to interacting with your service.

For businesses, this isn’t just an opportunity—it’s a responsibility. You need to ensure AI speaks about your brand, and does so accurately and effectively, while improving the customer experience.

The way we search for new information is evolving. Unlike traditional search engines, which focus on ranking pages, AI search tools are designed to understand questions, interpret intent, and deliver precise answers. As businesses and users adapt to this shift, understanding the differences between these two approaches can help unlock new opportunities for finding and sharing information effectively, which can directly improve the customer experience across touchpoints.

At Viral CX, we’ve embraced this shift. Not only do we optimize our own content to ensure AI understands and communicates our value, but we also empower businesses with tools to do the same. The foundation of this effort? A deep understanding of your customer journey, their pains, and their needs.

Here’s how we do it—and how you can too.

Multiethnic group of young people sitting in conference room and brainstorming on business meeting

How do traditional search engines and AI search differ?

The way we search for information has evolved dramatically over the years. While traditional search engines have been our go-to for finding answers, AI-powered tools are offering a more dynamic and personalized experience. 

In 2025, tools like Chat GPT, Google’s AI Overviews and Perplexity.ai are transforming search from link-hunting to answer-serving. This means your content must not only rank but also answer.

But how exactly do these two approaches differ, and what does it mean for businesses trying to stay visible? Let's talk about it.

1. Search Functionality:

  • Traditional search engines like Google rely on keywords and phrases to deliver results, using algorithms to rank pages based on relevance, backlinks, and SEO performance. The results are typically links to web pages that may answer the query.
  • AI tools like OpenAI’s search focus on understanding natural language and intent, providing direct answers or summaries rather than a list of links.

To enhance customer experience already from the first interaction, aim to provide quick, accurate, and concise answers. For instance, if a customer searches for “Gluten-free restaurants in Helsinki,” ensure your website directly provides this information. This helps improve visibility on both AI and Google searches, driving better engagement.

2. User Interaction:

  • Traditional search requires trial and error. Users refine searches, click through several links, and piece together answers themselves.
  • AI search allows users to interact using conversational language, ask follow-up questions for clarification, and receive responses in real-time.
3. Content Retrieval:

  • Traditional search results depend heavily on how well a site is optimized for search engines (SEO) with keywords, meta tags, and backlinks.
  • AI analyzes vast amounts of data, extracting information that directly answers the query. The content doesn’t have to rank high in SEO to be included—it just needs to be relevant and clear.
4. Personalization:

  • Traditional search offers limited personalization based on browsing history or location.
  • AI search is highly personalized, adapting to the user’s tone, preferences, and context. AI tools can tailor answers to specific industries, niches, or even individual users.
5. Search Goals:

  • Traditional search is designed to help users navigate the internet by directing them to the best sources of information.
  • AI search is designed to provide users with the information they need directly, eliminating the need for additional research or multiple searches.

By understanding these differences, businesses can tailor their content for both approaches. Ensuring visibility and relevance across traditional and AI-driven search methods is key to staying ahead in the competition and providing your customers with the best experience throughout their buying journey.

Why AI-friendly content matters?

By 2025, it's estimated that 30% of all search queries will be done on AI-powered tools. This shift signals a growing demand for content that is not only accurate, engaging, but AI-friendly.

AI-driven searches prioritize relevance, clarity, and authority. Studies show that 75% of users are more likely to engage with content that provides quick, accurate responses to their queries. The implications for businesses are clear: content needs to be AI-ready to stay competitive.

For example, when users ask questions like:

“How do I improve customer experience?”

“What are measurable goals for customer journeys?”

AI scans massive amounts of content to find the best, most structured answers. If your content isn’t optimized for these searches, even the most well-written pieces of content may never reach your audience.

So, how do you make sure your content is AI-friendly? Pay attention to these 3 elements:

  1. Specificity: Content that directly answers a user’s query, with clear and straightforward information.

  2. Structure: Clear headings, bullet points, and summaries are a must. Break down your information into digestible chunks with headers, lists, or FAQs.

  3. Authority: Backed by data, examples, and a deep understanding of customer needs. AI search tools look for content that feels trusted and insightful. Offer your readers things like case studies, statistics, or expert quotes.

But here’s the kicker: The better you understand your customers’ journey and pain points, the easier it is to create content that resonates with both AI and your audience. After all, content should speak directly to your customers to provide the most relevant answers.

How Viral CX helps AI understand us (and how you can do the same)

1. Start with the customer journey

How We Do It:

At Viral CX, everything begins with customer journey mapping. Our tools identify key touchpoints where customers interact with us, highlighting their pains and needs. This informs our content strategy, ensuring we address real questions like:

  • “How to measure customer experience effectively?”

  • “What is customer journey mapping?”

How You Can Do It:

  • Map your journey: Use tools like Viral CX to visualize your customer journey, pinpointing where customers face challenges or ask questions.

  • Identify high-impact queries: What questions are your customers asking at each stage? For example:

    • During the evaluation stage: “What are the benefits of your product?”

    • During the transaction stage: “How easy is your onboarding process?”

  • Create content that solves problems: Address these queries directly with clear, actionable content.

Example for AI-Optimized Content:

CUSTOMER JOURNEY STAGE CUSTOMER NEED IDEA
Discovery Understand your product quickly “Top 5 Features of [Your Product]”
Evaluation Compare solutions  “How Our Product Stands Out in [Industry]”
Transaction Simplify onboarding  “Step-by-Step Onboarding Guide”

2. Address customer pains and needs

How We Do It:

Our platform pinpoints customer pain points at every touchpoint. For instance, if users frequently abandon purchases due to a complicated checkout process, we create content like “How to simplify the checkout experience for customers.”

When you identify and address their customer’s pain points in your content, you can improve the overall experience at each stage of the journey.

How you can do it:

  • Gather feedback: Use surveys, reviews, and tools like Viral CX to understand customer frustrations.

  • Create pain-solving content: Turn common complaints into actionable resources. Example: If onboarding feels overwhelming, write “A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started with [Your Product].”

  • Teach AI the context: Use this content to educate AI about your product’s strengths and solutions.

3. Use clear and structured content

How We Do It:

Our content follows a simple structure that works for both humans and AI:

  • Headings: Clearly labeled sections (like this one!).

  • Bullet Points and Lists: Easy-to-digest key points.

  • Data and Examples: Real-world insights to support claims.

How you can do it:

  • Break down your content: Use headers for major sections, bullet points for details, and summaries for quick overviews.

  • Add structured elements: Include FAQs, tables, or checklists.

  • Be concise: Say more with fewer words.

Example of AI-friendly blog structure:

1. Introduction

2. Key Question (e.g., “How to improve CX?”)

3. Step-by-Step Answer (bullet points, visuals)

4. Data or Case Study

5. Summary

Absolutely! Here’s a new section you can insert into your blog under the “Use Clear and Structured Content” part—or as a separate heading like “Bonus: Format Your Content for AI Success.”

 


 

BONUS: How to format your content for AI success?

Formatting isn’t just about looks—it helps AI find, understand, and share your content more effectively. Here are specific ways to format your content so it gets picked up by AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews:

🔎 1. Use “People Also Ask”-Style Questions

These mimic common user queries and help AI tools extract relevant answers.

Example:

Q: What’s the best way to measure customer experience?

A: The best way is to combine qualitative feedback with measurable metrics like time-to-resolution, NPS, and actions taken at key customer journey touchpoints.

Tip: Try using these at the top of your blog post or as subheaders.


 

💬 2. Make your H2s conversational

Turn your headings into questions your audience might type into AI search tools.

Instead of:

“Customer Journey Mapping Tools”

Try:

“What tools can I use to map the customer journey effectively?”

Instead of:

“Optimize for AI Searches”

Try:

“How do I make my content AI-search friendly?”

 


 

📄 3. Use Schema Markup (JSON-LD)

Schema helps AI understand your content structure and increases chances of being featured in search snippets or summaries.

For example, for FAQs on your blog, use this JSON-LD snippet:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How do I improve customer experience?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Start by mapping your customer journey, identifying key
touchpoints, and addressing pains with measurable goals."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are measurable goals for customer journeys?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Measurable goals include reducing drop-off rates at
specific stages, increasing onboarding completion rates, or
improving CSAT scores."
}
}
]
}
</script>

Pro Tip: Add FAQ sections at the end of your blog posts and apply this schema in your site’s backend to boost AI discoverability.

4. How to focus on measurable goals?

How We Do It:

We integrate OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) into our strategy, ensuring every piece of content has a purpose. For example:

  • Objective: Drive awareness about Viral CX’s journey mapping.

  • Key Result: Publish content that ranks for “customer journey mapping tools” within 3 months.

How You Can Do It:

  • Set content goals: Align your content with specific business objectives, such as increasing conversions or reducing bounce rates.

  • Measure performance: Use AI tools to track metrics like visibility, engagement, and search ranking.

  • Iterate: Refine underperforming content to better address user queries.

5. Teach AI About Your Product

How We Do It:

We ensure AI understands Viral CX by embedding context in every piece of content. For example:

  • Blogs that describe our platform’s features, like “How Viral CX simplifies customer journey mapping.”

  • FAQs that highlight our unique value propositions.

How You Can Do It:

  • Educate through content: Clearly articulate what your product does, who it’s for, and the problems it solves.

  • Be consistent: Use clear, repetitive language to reinforce your message.

  • Regularly update: Refresh content to reflect product updates or shifting customer needs.

Example for AI Search Optimization:

CONTENT TYPE KEY FEATURES FOR AI EXAMPLE
Blog Post Structured headings, specific questions “How to Build a CX Strategy”
FAQ Short, direct answers “What makes our tool unique?”
Case Study Data-backed results “How [Customer] Improved CX with Our Platform”

Why Understanding Your Customer Journey Is Key

The foundation of AI-friendly content lies in understanding your customers’ journeys, pain points, and needs. The better you know them, the better your content will serve both your audience and AI tools like OpenAI’s search.

At Viral CX, we help businesses teach AI to understand their unique value. From mapping customer journeys to identifying measurable goals, our platform ensures your content aligns with customer expectations and AI trends, leading to more consistent customer experiences across all touchpoints.

Viral CX customer journey management tool

Ready to make your content smarter, more engaging, and AI-ready? Start with Viral CX. Let us help you understand your customers, refine your strategies, and create content that both humans and AI love.

Frequently Asked Questions: AI + Content + Customer Journeys

🤖 What makes content “AI-friendly”?

AI-friendly content is clear, specific, and easy to scan. It answers common user questions directly, uses headings and bullet points, and provides structured, trustworthy information that tools like ChatGPT or Google’s AI Overviews can easily digest.


 

🧭 How do I know what my customers are asking?

Start by mapping your customer journey. Tools like Viral CX can help identify the key moments when customers have questions, concerns, or hesitations. You can also gather insights from customer support chats, reviews, surveys, and search data.


 

✍️ How should I structure my blog posts for AI search?

Use a clear format:

1. Start with a strong introduction.

2. Include specific H2 questions (like this FAQ!).

3. Break down answers using bullet points or short paragraphs.

4. Add real-world examples or case studies.

5. End with a summary or CTA.

Bonus: Add a FAQ like this one with structured markup.


 

📈 Will optimizing for AI hurt my traditional SEO?

Not at all. In fact, AI-optimized content often improves traditional SEO too. Clear structure, relevance, and good formatting are universally valuable—whether your visitor comes from Google, Perplexity, or ChatGPT.


 

🛠️ Can I update my older content to make it AI-optimized?

Absolutely. Start by identifying top-performing or evergreen posts. Then:

Add headings that match common search queries.

Break content into scannable sections.

Include answers to FAQs.

Make sure your product or solution is explained clearly and in context.

 

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