Ai Search

Agentic Search

Agentic search is when AI systems go beyond retrieving information and autonomously take multi-step actions on a user's behalf — researching, comparing, and completing tasks without the user directing each step. Think of it as AI that doesn't just find answers but acts on them.

Why Agentic Search Matters for SEO

This shifts what 'visibility' means entirely. If an AI agent is booking a service or recommending a vendor, being in its knowledge base matters more than ranking number one. Early movers who structure their content for agent consumption will have a compounding advantage.

How Agentic Search Works

A user gives a high-level goal like 'find me the best SEO consultant in Melbourne.' The AI agent breaks it into sub-tasks, browses multiple sources, evaluates options, and may directly recommend or contact a business. The infrastructure layer enabling this is MCP (Model Context Protocol).

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming agentic search is too far off to plan for — early movers get structural advantage
  • Not having clean, structured, machine-readable content for agents to parse
  • Ignoring entity clarity — agents need to understand exactly what your business does
About the Author

Lawrence Hitches is an AI SEO consultant based in Melbourne and General Manager of StudioHawk. He specialises in AI search visibility, technical SEO, and organic growth strategy. Book a free consultation →