How to Be the Boss of 2026: 5 Things To Do for AI Visibility Today
- Joy Morales
- Sep 25
- 7 min read
Direct Answer Box
Before 2026 arrives, businesses need to strengthen their AI visibility or risk falling behind competitors. Five practical steps — from auditing your top content and adding alt-text to tackling schema markup — will help AI recognize your authority, relevance, and reliability. Do these now, and you’ll enter the new year with momentum that others will scramble to catch.
Why Year-End Actions Matter
We’re all racing toward year-end — budgets, staff schedules, Halloween candy, buying those last-minute gifts (whoa… slow down there). But here’s the hard fast truth we all face: things don’t slow down because the leaves start to turn. And AI isn’t going to wait for your 2026 New Year’s resolutions.
That’s why now is the time to step up and be the boss of your visibility. The quick wins we shared earlier this year gave you momentum. Now it’s about five year-end moves you can actually check off today. Four are DIY-friendly, one’s a heavier lift — but all of them will lock in signals that put clear distance between you and your competitors before 2026 hits.
1. Run a Content Audit for Your Top 5 Pages
Your website already has traffic but is it working as hard as it could?
A content audit is simply a check-up on what’s working and what needs a quick refresh. Here’s how to do it without hiring a consultant:
Step 1: Find Your Top Pages
If you have Google Analytics or another tool, look at the “Top Pages” report.
No analytics? Start with these high-impact pages that matter most for AI visibility:
Homepage → your digital front door.
Services page → the clearest signal of what you do.
FAQ page → gold for AI, because it loves Q&A format and often pulls answers directly.
About page → builds trust and authority.
One strong blog post → ideally the one with the most views, shares, or customer mentions.
Step 2: Check the Basics
For each page, ask yourself:
Is the headline clear and keyword-rich? (Think “Colorado Springs Family Law Services,” not “Welcome.”)
Is the contact info or call-to-action obvious? (“Click here for a quote,” “Email us for a free conversation,” etc.)
Are there any outdated stats, links, staff bios, or references?
Step 3: Make Quick Fixes
Refresh headlines and subheadings to match how people search today.
Swap out old photos or examples for current ones.
Add one clear call-to-action (book a consult, call, download, etc.).
Pro Tip: Don’t skip your FAQ page — it’s a visibility multiplier. A couple of fresh Q&As can give you more AI traction than a blog that sits unread.
Snippet: “An audit isn’t about perfection — it’s about making sure your top pages send the right signals before AI (and customers) decide to skip them.”
2. Add Alt-Text to Your Most-Shared Images
AI can’t “see” your images — it relies on alt-text (short descriptive captions in the code) to know what they show. Don’t worry, we’ve talked about that here for a short crash course. Adding alt-text turns your images into searchable, branded assets.
Which Images Should You Choose?
Start with the visuals that get the most eyeballs:
Homepage images → Your hero banner, logos, or header graphics.
Popular blogs → Any photos or graphics inside your most-read posts and blogs.
Social media hits → Pictures you’ve shared that got the most likes, comments, or shares.
Sales assets → Product photos, service visuals, or testimonials with headshots.
If you’re not sure, ask: “What pictures would someone see first if they landed on my site or scrolled my feed?” Those are your priorities.
Pro Tip: Start with your logo. It’s the single most important image AI should recognize, and it’s often the first one people (and search engines) see.
What to Add In Your Alt-Text
Keep it short but descriptive (one or two sentences).
Include what the image shows and why it matters.
Add natural keywords (location, service, brand) where it fits.
Example:
Instead of: “Office photo.”Write: “Colorado Springs family law attorney meeting with a client in office.”
Here’s the secret: ask AI to help. Literally say, “Help me write alt-text for this photo” and upload the image. You’ll still need to add context like location or what’s happening, but AI will draft something you can tweak fast.
Snippet: “When you add alt-text, you turn your images from silent decoration into strong signals AI can read and connect to your business.”
3. Claim Your Apple Maps Listing
After Google, Apple Maps is the next most important place to show up. Millions of people use it every day through iPhones and Siri. If you’re missing here, customers may not find you — even if you’re just down the street.
How to Do It in 10 Minutes (or so)
Go to Apple Business Connect.
Sign in with your Apple ID (or make one if you don’t have one).
Type in your business name.
If it’s there, click Claim.
If not, click Add Business.
Fill in your info: name, address, phone, hours, website.
Add one photo (your logo or storefront works great).
Click Verify (Apple will send a call, text, or email).
How Long It Takes
Most Apple Maps listings appear within a few days after verification. In some cases, it may take up to 1–2 weeks before your business shows everywhere in Apple Maps and Siri.
Pro Tip: Apple can be pickier than Google, and it really does go more smoothly if you use an iPhone or iPad. Worth the effort — you’ll thank yourself the first time a Siri search leads someone straight to your door.
Snippet: “If Google is your digital storefront, Apple Maps is your front door — and you want both open before 2026.”
4. Publish One End-of-Year Authority Post
An “authority post” is simply a piece of content that shows you know your stuff. It positions you as the expert and gives AI strong signals to connect your brand with your field.
How to Choose a Topic
Think about the biggest question or trend you heard from customers this year.
Pick one that’s relevant in your industry (e.g., “Top 3 Mortgage Changes in 2025” or “What Colorado Families Should Know About New Custody Laws”).
Or reflect on the year: “What did 2025 teach your customers, and what’s coming in 2026?”
How to Create It
Write 500–800 words (or record a short video if that’s easier).
Structure it:
Intro: Summarize the 2025 challenge.
Body: Share your insights, with 2–3 subpoints.
Conclusion: Look ahead to 2026.
Add one clear call-to-action at the end (schedule a consult, follow on LinkedIn, etc.).
Post it to your blog, LinkedIn, and/or email list.
When to Post It
The best time is now, in the fall. That gives AI time to index your post before the new year.
Then, re-share or lightly refresh in December so it also feels timely as a true year-end reflection.
This way, you get two waves of visibility: first-mover advantage now and reinforcement when everyone else is posting in December.
Pro Tip: A lot of business owners say, “I’m not an authority.” But you already are — you’re the one solving problems for customers every day. This is just about putting those lessons into words (or even a quick video) so AI — and people — connect you with expertise.
Snippet: “An end-of-year authority post tells AI you’re not just part of the conversation — you’re leading it.”
5. Add Schema Markup to Your Website (Heavy Lift)
Schema is code that explains your website to AI in its own language. Without it, AI has to guess. With it, you control the story. We devoted a blog to schema, read it here.
Where to Start
LocalBusiness Schema → Best if you serve a local area (law firm, dentist, contractor).
FAQ Schema → Best if you already have a FAQ page (turns your answers into AI-ready snippets).
How to Do It (Two Paths)
DIY Path:
Visit Schema.org and choose the schema type that fits you.
Use a free generator (like Merkle’s Schema Markup Generator).
Copy the code it gives you and paste it into the header of your site.
Test it using Google’s Rich Results Test tool.
Hire-It-Out Path:
Ask your web developer or SEO provider to implement LocalBusiness and FAQ schema.
If you don’t have one, this is a good “one-time investment” to outsource.
Pro Tip: If your developer can’t add LocalBusiness or FAQ schema in about 20 minutes, it might be time to find a new one. It’s that standard now. Don’t let it stay on the “someday” list.
Snippet: “Schema markup is like handing AI a business card written in its own language — it makes your authority unmistakable.”
FAQs
Q: Do I need to hire someone to do all of this?
A: Not at all. Four of the five steps are DIY-friendly and can be done in under an hour each. The only one that may need professional help is schema markup — and even then, AI tools can draft the code for you. Think of this as a checklist where you can start small and bring in help only if you want to move faster.
Q: Why should I do these steps before 2026?
A: Because those who take action now will earn visibility momentum that carries into the new year. AI notices consistency and freshness over time.
Q: Aren’t these too technical for a small business?
A: Only schema requires outside help — but it’s well worth the investment. Even spending a few minutes with an AI tool can give you a solid start.
TL;DR — 5 Things to Do Before the End of 2025
Audit your top 5 pages for accuracy and CTAs.
Add alt-text to your most-shared images.
Update or add your listings on Apple Maps.
Publish one end-of-year authority post.
Add schema markup (start with LocalBusiness or FAQ).
Call to Action
Don’t let competitors roll into 2026 with stronger signals than yours. At Your AI Wizards, we help businesses like yours become the answer AI delivers first. Ready to future-proof your visibility? Book a consultation today.
Do these five things before the ball drops, and AI will already be working for you in 2026.
Next Week’s Topic: Future-Proofing Your AI Visibility
We’ll show you how to build systems that don’t just react to AI changes, but stay a step ahead of them for today, 2026, and beyond.
Authority Source
Schema.org — the official source for structured data standards used by search engines and AI.
Freshness Stamp
Last Updated: September 25, 2025
Review Cadence: This blog will be reviewed quarterly to ensure all recommendations remain current with AI search updates and standards.
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