Admit it, you’ve got a noodle bar that makes people weak at their knees. Perfect spice, ideal chewability noodles, and regulars who can’t get enough. You’ve even invested some money in digital marketing because a guru whispered, “That’s how you get discovered online.”
Then one morning, you notice something weird: website traffic is dropping like dumplings in a storm, even though hungry folks still wander into your shop. Let me spill the broth: zero-click searches are stealthy little monsters.
Google, and now with its AI Mode page, give you zero-click search because Google serve answers directly on the search page before anyone ever clicks your site. That means people might see your bar listed (in some media’s page), but then not feel compelled to visit your place. Because, this list makes your place seem the same as any other.
Worse, they even visit other places because those competitors look more attractive on the page of AI Mode.
Nightmare of Zero Click Search
Zero-click search refers to a situation where a website’s link is discoverable in a search engine (such as Google, Yandex, or Bing), but users do not click on the link. It occurs when Google directly answers someone’s question, bypassing your website entirely.
Picture a hungry customer typing, “delicious fried noodle in Jakarta with for group portion“. Instead of visiting sites, Google shows everything in a brief, including names of noodle vendors, each unique characteristics, and popular delivery apps.
Also notice the tiny panel on the right side displaying small descriptions of links that support answers, such as “8 Delicious Fried Noodle in Jakarta” or “Jumbo Portion Fried Rice and Noodle at Bakmi M**”. Can I ask you, why is your place not displayed in this screenshot, even though you also offer noodles that people can order online?
I can imagine this tiny panel forgot your secret handmade noodles and your popo‘s legendary sauce. Customers searching for delicious fried noodle in Jakarta for a group portion might never become aware of your bar, unless you give Google a better story from your website.
But you should not despair. The website role is strategic, because actually you want quality over quantity. Bar owners still can get clicks on their website, but only from people who are already eager and ready to order. In one condition: Make AI Mode page say, “This noodle bar is a must-recommend!”
The Spicy Plot Twist
Here’s where it gets extra hot. AI Mode reads keywords and also manages conversations. At the bottom of the page, there’s a box labeled Ask anything where users can type question.
Customer: “Which restaurant serves spicy ramen?”
AI Mode: “Several Jakarta restaurants are well-regarded for their spicy ramen. You can find options ranging from authentic Japanese joints to popular local halal chains. Some even allow you to customize your spice level.” (and shows 3 links, each directs to a page of ramen site in Kebayoran, a page of ramen site in Tanah Abang, and a blog page about 50 ramen spots in Jakarta).
Customer: “Which one provides VIP room?”
AI Mode: “Among the spicy ramen restaurants previously mentioned, two are known to have VIP rooms or private dining spaces.” (and show 2 names of a ramen site in Kuningan and a ramen site in Sudirman).
Customer: “How much is ordering VIP room is ramen site?”
AI Mode: Costs for a VIP or private room at a ramen restaurant typically involve a minimum spending requirement rather than a flat fee. However, policies vary, so it is essential to confirm with the specific restaurant. It is highly advisable to call them directly to confirm their current policy and book ahead. (then provide the links to each business’ site)
There! Imagine you run a website of a ramen bar in Kapuk. Why does this AI Mode only provided links of the ramen sites in Kuningan and Sudirman instead?
AI Mode becomes the middleman, guiding hungry customers to the option that looks most appealing. But here’s the silver lining. Research shows that websites with richer and more complete content will convert better in this AI-driven era, even if the search engine generates zero clicks to your website. People who do reach your website are now highly qualified and ready to order, not just trying to find cheaper bars.
How to Make AI Mode Your Noodle Bar’s Biggest Fan
I picture the page of AI Mode as a know-it-all foodie friend who never tires. You will want this page to brag about your noodles.
Bar owners can treat their website like a noodle buffet for curiosity. You can build pages with a format of frequent asked questions sections that answer more than “Do you deliver for groups?”
Instead, say in your website like this: “We deliver for groups until 11 PM within 5 km, hotpacks included. Extra spicy menus are available upon request.
Blog posts can be your friendly weapon. You can create articles like:
- How we tamed the ghost chili for your midnight shift with ramen cravings.
- The magic behind our noodle that warns the soul.
Competitors may have similar menus like yours. But you have a story, personality, and flavors that make people drool. Feed AI Mode enough material, and it points hungry souls straight to your door. Ignoring this can direct AI Mode to the competitors’ page, which would actually be a tragic outcome.
Still unsure how what kind of content actually drives restaurant visitors? Don’t just guess, let’s learn from how food bloggers pull crowds. Also, discover how to partner with them smartly in this restaurant marketing guide: Working with Food Bloggers without Getting Bankrupt
Strengthening Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile page is your front door. Keep hours updated, photos mouth-watering, and delivery options clear. AI Mode depends on it, and this will also helps reducing zero-click search impact.
But GBP cannot tell your story fully. It cannot share the origin of your signature spicy noodle or the fusion experiments that your potential customer want to hear. It cannot also easily show the stories about your cosy corner booth that your customers love.
GBP is “on the map” step that will bring about 30% revenue to your bar. But your website keeps you in the conversation in AI Mode page, giving it rich and detailed content to pull form.
Keep Your Noodle Bar in the AI Era
AI Mode page of Google Search isn’t enemy. It is like a chef with spoons in the kitchen. Serve it rich contents from your website, and it will become your loudest cheerleader.
So spice up your website and feed AI Mode the stories it craves. Make every hungry searcher want to visit and order your menus. Keep your own restaurant in the conversation, not left in an empty bowl.
Want more survival recipes for the AI era? Let’s connect on LInkedIn and swap some secret sauces.
I am a blogger who love making content about planning and optimizing contents. Follow me in my Linked In and Instagram below.
Nowadays, people tend to search in AI than in Google web. Does the algorithm change because of AI?
Mengenai zero klick ini pernah dialami oleh seorang kawan dan dia jadi bingung apa sebabnya. Sepertinya saya harus merekomendasikan tulisan ini ke beliau.
Memang sekarang tren orang lebih sering cari jawaban cepat di AI. Tapi sebenarnya, kejadian zero click search sudah muncul dari dulu-dulu di Google sebelum AI nge-hype, terutama karena salah pemasangan metadescription.
Saya bukan stakeholder algoritma Google, jadi nggak bisa bongkar dapurnya 🙂 , tapi yang bisa kita lihat: pola konsumsi informasi pada masa kini sudah makin pendek, dan makin instan.
PR buat para pemilik website adalah menjaga orang-orang yang nyari-nyari informasi supaya terpapar nama brand website milik mereka dalam waktu pencarian yang pendek itu, sehingga mau bertransaksi dengan brand mereka.