Optimizing SEO for Tilled in the Age of AI

Search engine optimization (SEO) has always been a critical piece of digital marketing, but as AI-driven search tools and large language models (LLMs) become more prevalent, fintech companies, especially those in the Payments-as-a-Service (PayFac-as-a-Service) space like Tilled, must rethink their SEO strategy.

Today, it’s not just about ranking high on Google; it’s about ensuring AI models can find, understand, and recommend your content when users search for embedded payments solutions, PayFac-as-a-Service providers, or key fintech integrations.

1. Understand the New Search Landscape

AI-powered search engines, such as Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard, and Claude, are changing the way people discover information. Instead of relying solely on traditional keyword rankings, these models extract and synthesize answers from multiple sources, prioritizing:

• Clear, structured content
• Authority and expertise in a niche
• Well-cited, up-to-date information

For a company like Tilled, this means shifting from just optimizing for keywords to ensuring content is AI-friendly, authoritative, and contextually relevant.

2. Develop an AI-Friendly Content Strategy

AI models prioritize content that is well-structured and provides clear, concise answers. To ensure Tilled appears in AI-generated search results, we focused on:

A. Optimizing for Direct Answers

AI-driven searches often generate quick, conversational responses. Structure content to align with these formats:

• Using FAQ sections: Answer common questions about PayFac-as-a-Service, embedded payments, and interchange optimization.
• Creating concise definitions: Ensure Tilled’s website clearly defines industry terms, like “PayFac-as-a-Service” and “payment facilitation.”
• Using schema markup: Implement structured data (e.g., FAQ schema, How-To schema) to make it easier for AI to extract key information.

B. Prioritizing Thought Leadership & Authority

AI models favor content that demonstrates expertise and credibility. Positioning Tilled as the go-to resource by:

• Publishing in-depth guides: Cover topics like “How PayFac-as-a-Service Works” or “The Business Case for Embedded Payments.”
• Leveraging executive voices: Content from fintech leaders like Tilled’s leadership team can enhance trust and visibility.
• Getting featured on high-authority sites: Guest posts, podcasts, press coverage, and backlinks from fintech news sites can strengthen credibility.

C. Structuring Content for AI & NLP (Natural Language Processing)

AI-powered search tools scan and interpret content differently from traditional search engines. We optimized content for AI comprehension by:

• Using natural language and conversational tones
• Formatting with bullet points, numbered lists, and clear subheadings
• Keeping sentences concise and jargon-free while still informative

3. Optimizing for Traditional SEO to Complement AI Discoverability

While AI-driven searches are rising, traditional SEO remains essential. To ensure Tilled ranks well across all search environments:

A. Targeted Niche Keywords in Fintech & Payments

Since PayFac-as-a-Service is a specialized offering, focus on long-tail keywords and industry-specific search terms, such as:

• “Best PayFac-as-a-Service providers”
• “How to become a PayFac without registration”
• “Embedded payments vs traditional merchant accounts”

Used tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to track performance and refine keyword strategy.

B. Enhanced Technical SEO

• Improved site speed: Fintech decision-makers expect fast-loading pages.
• Optimized mobile experience: Most searches now happen on mobile devices.
• Secured backlinks: High-quality links from reputable fintech and SaaS sites help build domain authority.

C. Leveraged AI for SEO Performance

Tools like SurferSEO, Clearscope, and ChatGPT for content ideation can help fine-tune content for AI discoverability while improving rankings in traditional search engines.

4. Building AI-Friendly Brand Awareness Beyond SEO

AI-powered search doesn’t just pull from websites—it also pulls from social media, customer reviews, and online conversations. To expand Tilled’s digital presence:

• Engaged in fintech discussions on LinkedIn & Twitter/X
• Encouraged and highlighted customer reviews
• Get featured in fintech reports, industry podcasts, and AI-generated lists of top PayFac-as-a-service and embedded payments providers

Final Thoughts

Optimizing SEO for a PayFac-as-a-Service company like Tilled means balancing traditional search strategies with AI-driven discoverability. By focusing on structured, authoritative content and ensuring AI models can easily interpret and recommend key insights, Tilled positioned itself as the top choice for ISVs and SaaS companies looking to embed payments seamlessly.

The future of search is AI-driven, by staying ahead of these changes, Tilled can ensure that when businesses ask AI, “Who’s the best PayFac-as-a-Service provider?”  or “Who’s the best embedded payments provider?” the answer is clear. Tilled.