AI Fridays: How AI Changes SEO (for counselors)
- Jordanthecounselor
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Google's January 2026 Core Update: The "GEO" Era Begins
Google rolled out a significant Core Update last week (January 26-30), which SEO experts are calling the start of the "GEO" era (Generative Engine Optimization). This update explicitly deprioritizes "thin" content and generic symptom pages in favour of content that answers complex questions directly, the kind used to feed AI overviews (Gemini).
For therapists, this means the old strategy of short blog posts like "5 Signs of Anxiety" is no longer effective. The algorithm now favours deep, authoritative pages that demonstrate "experience" (the extra E in E-E-A-T). Practices with verified author bios and comprehensive "guide" style pages are seeing visibility gains, while generic sites are dropping from the new AI-powered top results.
Action: Review your top 3 service pages this week. Add a "Personal Clinical Perspective" section to each, writing 2-3 paragraphs about your specific experience treating that condition (using "I" statements). Ensure your author bio is linked on every blog post and clearly lists your licensure and years of practice.
Moonraker AI Newsletter
Feb 2nd
One of the big changes AI is brining is Generative Engine Optimization or GEO. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) was the art of creating pages that would rank high on google. This was important because if you rank high on google you get a lot of free, passive traffic.
For instance a local group practice might have their entire website optimized to rank high on Google because they want clients who search on google to find their page and call them for counseling.
GEO is the art of creating webpages that are cited by AI. The thinking is this will lead to high traffic to your website.
What does this mean?
We're heading towards a world where clients will say, "I'm really struggling with my marriage. I don't know what to do."
And AI will respond, "have you considered therapy? Sacred Pond Counseling Center in your town specializes couples counseling. All of their clinicals are dual certified in Gottman Therapy and Emotionally Focused Couples therapy, which are the gold standard in couple therapy."
Just one of the many changes AI is bringing over the coming years.
Starting March 6th I'm giving a training deconstructing Carl Rogers.
We'll be watching a tape of Rogers working with a women who puts up a wall between her and men.
You can learn more below.
Jordan Harris Jordan Harris, Ph.D., LMFT-S, LPC-S, received his Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana Monroe. He is a licensed professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Arkansas, USA. In his clinical work, he enjoys working with couples. He also runs a blog on deliberate practice for therapists and counselors at Jordanthecounselor.com
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