SEO has changed: Will Small-Caps Adapt, or Stay Lost in the Maze

If your lead gen is down, it's not bad luck. SEO has changed.

Is your Google traffic disappearing? Lead gen drying up?

It's not just an algorithm update. It's a full-blown shift in how search works, and most small-cap, mining, and capital market service providers are still stuck optimizing for a version of search that no longer exists. This is costing them visibility, trust, and investor attention.

What's Happening

As a public company, you know narrative and timing are everything. The same now applies to SEO.

However, the problem is that most are still optimizing for Google in 2018. And today? Even if you're ranking number one, you're buried under:

• AI summaries

• Reddit threads

• "People Also Ask" boxes

• YouTube carousels

• …and don't forget the ads

Your "top-ranked" link is halfway down the page if you're lucky. That's not visibility; that's called invisibility with a badge.

This is a wake-up call.

This is especially true for small-cap companies, IR firms, and capital markets professionals still banking on traditional SEO tactics and website traffic to move the needle.

Are You Pitching to a Crowd That's Already Moved On?

Too many public companies are still optimizing for a digital landscape that no longer exists.

They're writing for Google 2018.

They're relying on backlinks and page-one rankings.

They're waiting for investors to scroll through five layers of noise to "find" them.

They still believe the right people will come if they update their website or land a good spot on Google.

But the truth is, investors don't just scroll. They search and trust what AI recommends.

Enter GEO: Generative Engine Optimization

Search isn’t about 10 blue links anymore. AI-first platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity recommend; you either make the list or you don't. If you’re not in their top answers, you’re invisible. And that's not a traffic problem. It's a strategy problem.

When someone asks, "Who are Arizona’s best junior copper explorers? "They're not scrolling a page of links. They're getting one, maybe three, curated answers, with reasoning behind them.

That’s GEO: Generative Engine Optimization.

If you're not on the shortlist, you're off the map. GEO is the new frontier for building investor visibility, deal flow, and digital authority. And it’s already here. The only question is, are you?

Here is an example:

When I recently asked Perplexity, "Who is the top branding and marketing expert in junior mining?" - my name came up.

Not because I ran ads or stuffed keywords into my website. But because I've built content, credibility, and consistency across platforms that AI can recognize and verify.

Click the image above to see my original search

Five Ways Small-Caps Can Win at AI and SEO Search

Let's discuss how you show up when AI tools scan and recommend.

1. Clarity Over Cleverness

If your homepage says:

"We're a diversified mineral exploration company with a world-class portfolio…"

… you've already lost the AI (and most investors).

Instead, get specific:

"We explore for copper and gold in Arizona, targeting drill-ready porphyry and high-sulfidation deposits for acquisition by majors."

That's clarity. Both humans and AI know precisely what you do.

AI tools are trained to parse language and assess value. You won't make the cut if your message is vague or buried in jargon.

2. Grow Your Digital Footprint, Be Everywhere

AI doesn't just look at your website. It scans the web to verify that you're real, active, and trusted.

That includes:

• LinkedIn (Are your executives active? Are you mentioned in relevant posts? Are you using articles?)

• YouTube (AI pulls from video descriptions and transcripts)

• Google Business and industry-specific directories

• Financial news sites

• Your own blog or media hub (the power to build a following is in your hands.

Oh, and don't forget growing your social media footprint.

If your last post was three months ago…

If you post and ghost…

If you show up every other week hoping for virality

You're already behind.

AI looks for consistency, readability and alignment. If you're being talked about (and talked about) across platforms, that creates what the AI sees as authority.

3. Write Press Releases for Investors and AI

Press releases are still one of the best tools for building credibility, but only if you relearn how to write them.

Yes, compliance still matters. But done right, it doesn’t just check a box. It builds visibility with AI, trust with future investors, and momentum that compounds beyond the wire.

AI tools are scanning press releases to understand:

• Who you are

• What you're working on

• Where you're mentioned

• And what others are saying about you

If you release a copy-paste template filled with compliance-safe, jargon-heavy, engagement-dead language, you're training AI to ignore you.

Instead, write your press releases (yes, stay compliant) but write for both investors and AI.

Use plain language. Lead with the most compelling results. Share real metrics, quotes, and clear takeaways.

*Stay tuned for next week’s article, in which I will explore how AI is reshaping press releases and how public companies can turn compliance into a visibility weapon.

4. The "Top 5" Trick. Cringe or Clever. It Works

Here's one working incredibly well right now, but with a caveat. (Not recommended for Pub Cos)

But if you're an IR firm, consultant, or service provider:

Write a blog post on your site, repurpose it as a LinkedIn article, and title it something like:

"Top 5 Investor Relations Consultants for Small-Caps in 2025"

Include yourself, obviously. But also include competitors.

Break down the fundamental differences. Highlight what makes each one unique. Be fair, informative, and detailed.

Why does this work?

Because AI scrapes listicle-style content and uses it to form recommendations.

If your name appears at the top, guess who gets indexed and serves as the expert?

(Again: if you're a public company, tread carefully here. Self-listing as a "Top 5 Gold Explorer" could be problematic from a disclosure standpoint.)

5. Reviews are SEO Gold

Most small-caps overlook this SEO strategy entirely. However, reviews and testimonials are training data for AI.

You should be collecting reviews everywhere:

• Google

• LinkedIn

• Industry blogs

• Podcast mentions

• Even X (formerly Twitter)

But here's the key: Ask for detailed reviews. Not "great team!" or "solid project."

You want specifics like: "This team closed a $3.2M financing in Q4, secured a strategic partner, and got community support for a drilling permit in under 3 months." - A long-term shareholder.

That language teaches AI tools (and future investors) why you're worth following (aka investing in).

The more substance, the stronger the signal and the more likely your company gets surfaced in AI-generated answers.

Bonus: YouTube is Still Your Best SEO Loophole

YouTube is becoming the new Google for trust-based searches. It's not just a video platform; it's a credibility builder. The algorithm still rewards good content. No AI summary is pushing you down the feed. No page full of ads before someone sees your name.

Get on camera if you're a CEO, IR lead, or service provider and explain:

• What's happening in your space

• What investors should watch for

• What makes your approach different

Each video helps train search engines and builds visibility on YouTube and Google.

People don’t just want information—they want connection. Video delivers that.

Visibility Isn't Optional. It's a Strategic Asset

We've crossed a line. This isn't about "getting ahead." This is about not being left behind.

Search isn't about clicks anymore. It's about confidence. And AI is now the gatekeeper of that confidence.

If you're still optimizing for rankings instead of recommendations, you're not just missing opportunities; you're losing investor trust before the first conversation even happens.

If you can pitch investors, you can pitch algorithms. Clear value, sharp targeting, and staying top of mind must also drive your digital visibility, because today, visibility is credibility.

Let's Connect 

Connect with Anna Dalaire and follow BULLVISION Consulting Inc. for bold takes on mining, markets, and messaging.

Disclaimer

BULLVISION Consulting Inc. wrote and published this article for informational purposes only. My views are based on my experience in capital markets, communications, and small-cap exploration.

While I strive to reference reliable, publicly available sources, I can’t guarantee the accuracy or completeness of all information shared. This content is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell securities.

Please do your diligence. Nothing here should be taken as legal, accounting, or tax advice. I am not responsible for any decisions based on this article's content.

This article is meant for a general audience and may not be appropriate for readers in jurisdictions where such material is restricted.