AI Search: Is It Really Rivalling Google?

For more than two decades, Google has dominated the way people search online. It’s become a verb in our daily lives — “just Google it.” But a quiet revolution is happening. AI-driven search engines and tools are now offering a new way to find information, and they’re starting to rival Google’s long-standing dominance.

What Is AI Search?

Unlike traditional search engines that rely heavily on keyword indexing and ranking factors, AI search goes deeper. Using natural language processing and large language models, these tools can understand questions more like a human would and provide clear, conversational answers rather than a list of links.

This means:

• More personalised results tailored to user intent

• Fewer clicks needed to get the right answer

• Conversational responses instead of pages of results to sift through

Think of it as moving from a library catalogue to a knowledgeable assistant who simply tells you what you need to know.

Why It Matters for Your Business

For business owners, the rise of AI search changes the game:

1. SEO Isn’t Enough Anymore – Traditional search optimisation (keywords, backlinks, meta tags) still matters, but AI tools focus more on context and authority of content.

2. Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) – Businesses now need to ensure their online content can be picked up directly by AI search tools, which means creating content that answers questions clearly, concisely, and with authority.

3. Customer Trust – If AI platforms consistently pull your business into answers, you gain credibility and visibility in ways that standard Google listings can’t match.

   
   

Google Isn’t Going Anywhere (Yet)

Google is still the giant of online search, and it’s adapting fast by integrating AI into its own platform. But the fact that alternatives are emerging and gaining traction shows a real shift in user behaviour.

How Marketing Matters Online Can Help

At Marketing Matters Online, we specialise in keeping our clients ahead of digital trends. We don’t just build websites; we create future-ready online strategies that work across Google Search, AI-driven platforms, and everything in between.

✅ Optimised website builds✅ SEO + AEO strategies✅ Google Business Profile management✅ Content designed for both people and AI search

The digital world is evolving... the question is, will your business evolve with it?

👉 Get in touch today to see how we can future-proof your online presence.

Understanding DNS Records: A Plain-English Guide for Everyone

A perplexed office worker stares at his computer, surrounded by DNS terms like CNAME, MX, SFX, and DKIM, illustrating the challenges of managing complex digital tasks.

If you own a website, you’ve probably heard of DNS records, but what do they actually mean? Think of DNS as the address book of the internet: it tells browsers and email servers where to find your website, your email inbox, and other services connected to your domain.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common DNS records you might see when managing yourdomain.co.uk (or any other domain):

🔑 Core Records

• SOA (Start of Authority)

  
  

  Defines the main server that holds the “authoritative” DNS zone for your domain. It includes admin contact details, a version number (serial), and timing rules for how often other DNS servers should check for updates.

• NS (Name Server)

  
  

  These point to the DNS servers responsible for your domain. Example: ns1.yourhost.com, ns2.yourhost.com. If you move hosting, you usually need to update these.

• A Record

  
  

  Maps your domain name to an IP address. Example: yourdomain.co.uk → 192.0.2.123. This is what makes your website load when people type in your domain.

• CNAME (Canonical Name)

  
  

  An alias that points one name to another. Example: www.yourdomain.co.uk → yourdomain.co.uk. Useful to avoid duplicating IP addresses.

📧 Email & Authentication

• MX (Mail Exchange)

  
  

  Directs incoming mail to the server that handles your email. Example: MX → mail.yourdomain.co.uk.

• SPF (TXT Record)

  
  

  Specifies which servers are allowed to send email for your domain. Helps reduce spam and spoofing.

• DKIM (TXT/CNAME Records)

  
  

  Provides a cryptographic signature to prove that emails really come from your domain. Essential for modern email deliverability.

• DMARC (TXT Record) (not always set up, but recommended)

  
  

  Works alongside SPF and DKIM to instruct receiving servers what to do if an email fails authentication.

• Third-Party Email Services (e.g., SendGrid, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)

  
  

  When using an external email provider, you’ll often see unique CNAMEs (like em1234.yourdomain.co.uk) or special DKIM records. These are unique to each account and must match exactly to verify your domain.

Diagram illustrating a DNS zone managing connectivity between a website server, email server, and third-party provider.

🌐 Hosting & Control Panel

If your domain uses cPanel or similar hosting, you may see records like:

• ftp.yourdomain.co.uk → IP address (for FTP access)

• cpanel.yourdomain.co.uk → IP address (for hosting control panel)

• webmail.yourdomain.co.uk → IP address (for webmail login)

These all point to the same server but give convenient shortcuts.

📅 Calendars & Contacts

Records such as caldav, carddav, and related SRV/TXT entries allow email and calendar apps (like Outlook or Apple Mail) to automatically sync contacts and calendar data with your hosting server.

🔒 Verification & SSL Certificates

• _acme-challenge (TXT Record)

  
  

  Used by Let’s Encrypt to issue SSL certificates.

• _cpanel-dcv-test-record (TXT Record)

  
  

  Used by cPanel to verify domain control during SSL setup.

These are temporary or technical records that prove you own the domain when setting up HTTPS.

That's it you got it!!

✅ Key Takeaways

1. A/NS/MX → Core website and email functionality.

2. SPF/DKIM/DMARC → Email authentication and security.

3. CNAMEs → Aliases and third-party service verification.

4. SRV/TXT for calendars, SSL, etc. → Extra services and security.

💡 Common Pitfall

If you authenticate your domain with a third-party service (like SendGrid for email), they’ll give you specific CNAME and DKIM records. These are unique to your account. If you see a mismatch (for example, one set from an old provider and another from your new provider), email may fail until the old records are removed.

Final Word

DNS can seem complicated, but once you know what each record type does, it’s easier to spot problems and keep your domain running smoothly. Think of it like a control panel: A and CNAME point your website, MX handles email, and TXT/CNAME records verify trust.

With the right DNS setup, your website, email, and online tools all connect seamlessly.

Diagram illustrating the integration of DNS records at yourdomain.co.uk, highlighting the roles of A, MX, CNAME, and DKIM records in managing website, email, and third-party services within the DNS zone.

Paul G-Wood

+44 752 500 6255

What's App

www.marketingmattersonline.com

paul@marketingmattersonline.co.uk

DIGITAL MARKETING & GRAPHIC DESIGN

Creating & Delivering...Websites, Graphic Designs, Print, Motion Graphics, Animations, Videos, & SEO/AEO Google Ranking Results

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Why Can’t We Choose Exactly Which Photos Show on Your Google Business Profile?

One of the most common questions we get from our clients is:"Why have you chosen those photos to appear on my Google listing?"

The honest answer: we don’t get to choose them — Google does.

Who Decides Which Images Appear?

Google’s algorithm decides which images are shown in search results and on Google Maps. While we upload, update and recommend the best images for your business, Google ultimately decides what appears based on relevance and engagement.

How We Influence the Selection

Although no one can guarantee a specific photo will always be used, we take important steps to guide what Google selects.

1. We Set a Cover Photo

We always choose a preferred cover photo in your Google Business Profile. This tells Google, “This is the one that represents the business best.”While Google is not obliged to use it, a high-quality, relevant image has a much better chance of being shown.

2. We Upload High-Quality, Relevant Images

We regularly add images that genuinely reflect your business – shopfronts, interiors, products, services and even your team. Google prefers recent, high-resolution images, so we make sure everything meets their standards.

3. We Optimise Every Photo

Every photo we upload is:

• In JPG or PNG format

• Well-lit, focused, and properly sized

• Aligned with Google’s technical guidelines for size and resolution

• 
  

4. We Provide a Variety of Content

A strong profile tells a story. We include:

• Exterior and interior photos

• Key product or service shots

• Team images when relevant

• 
  

5. We Keep It Fresh

Google favours recent content. We keep your profile up to date with regular uploads to ensure your listing always looks active.

6. We Monitor What Google Displays

We review your listing regularly. If certain photos do not reflect your brand or become outdated, we refresh the gallery.

Why We Can’t Fully Control It

Google wants users to see the most authentic and engaging view of your business. Their algorithm considers:

• Photo quality and relevance

• How users engage with images

• Customer-uploaded photos – which can also appear even if we didn’t add them

So while we guide, upload and optimise your photos, Google has the final say.

Before and After – The Difference Our Management Makes

To help clients visualise the impact, we often show a simple comparison:

• Before: Random, outdated or low-quality photos appear first – sometimes even user-uploaded ones that don’t represent your brand.

• After: Fresh, optimised images with a selected cover photo help your business look professional, trustworthy and current.

• 
  

Want Your Google Business Profile to Look Its Best?

We specialise in making sure your Google Business Profile represents your business accurately and professionally. From regular updates to carefully managed photo uploads, we handle it all.

Let us help you make a strong first impression online.Contact us today to get started.

https://www.google.com/search?q=online+marketing+company+in+nuneaton&oq=online+marketing+company+in+nuneaton&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRifBTIHCAQQIRifBTIHCAUQIRifBTIHCAYQIRifBTIHCAcQIRifBTIHCAgQIRifBTIHCAkQIRifBdIBCTkzNjdqMGoxNagCDLACAfEFGPK5dkKpTmzxBRjyuXZCqU5s&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&lqi=CiRvbmxpbmUgbWFya2V0aW5nIGNvbXBhbnkgaW4gbnVuZWF0b25I2auFq4StgIAIWjIQABABEAIYABgBGAQiJG9ubGluZSBtYXJrZXRpbmcgY29tcGFueSBpbiBudW5lYXRvbpIBGmludGVybmV0X21hcmtldGluZ19zZXJ2aWNlmgEkQ2hkRFNVaE5NRzluUzBWSlEwRm5UVU5SY25ZeVJHcEJSUkFCqgGAAQoJL20vMDFjZGJ0CggvbS8wZzRnchABKhwiGG9ubGluZSBtYXJrZXRpbmcgY29tcGFueSgAMh8QASIbvftM6FlbqrG3j2AKdfCdTsMEbdIF09ZqzDvBMigQAiIkb25saW5lIG1hcmtldGluZyBjb21wYW55IGluIG51bmVhdG9u-gEFCMQBEDo#rlimm=8586343937433556956

Paul G-Wood

+44 752 500 6255

What's App

www.marketingmattersonline.com

paul@marketingmattersonline.co.uk

www.marketingmattersonline.com

DIGITAL MARKETING & GRAPHIC DESIGN

Creating & Delivering...Websites, Graphic Designs, Print, Motion Graphics, Animations, Videos, & SEO/AEO Google Ranking Results

Ai & AEO Management & Consultancy Services

Certified Digital Marketing Specialist

Terms & Conditions