One word that defines the future of visual search for small businesses

Summary

---

Episode Overview

Title: One word that defines the future of visual search for small businesses
Air Date: December 5, 2025
Podcast: Voices of Search
Host: Tyson Stockton
Notable Guest: Helen Pollitt (iStock)

This concise episode explores the evolving role of visual search for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), focusing on the single word that best captures the future of visual search. The conversation emphasizes actionable insights for SMBs looking to leverage visual content as part of a broader SEO strategy.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Defining Word for Visual Search

• Host Question (00:43): "What's one word that defines the future of visual search for small businesses?"
  • This sets the stage for the episode’s central theme.

"Opportunity" as the Future of Visual Search

• Helen Pollitt's Answer & Expansion (00:53–01:25):
  • Opportunity is the operative word.
  • Traditionally, SEOs and website owners have treated visual content as secondary or separate from written and video content.
  • Helen urges a unified approach, integrating visuals alongside other content forms:

    "We really need to start considering visual as a part of content as a whole. We shouldn't be trying to segment written copy from visual from video, etc." – Helen Pollitt (01:12)

  • There is significant untapped potential for SMBs to differentiate themselves through visual search.

Broadening Content Perspective

• Host’s Reflection (02:54):
  • Tyson Stockton echoes Helen's view, adding that now is a prime time for SMBs to act:

    "If you're expanding how you're viewing content, this is, I think, just such a good time that you can get that inside lane to have a legacy up, especially on the bigger businesses." – Tyson Stockton (02:54)

  • Businesses that adapt early stand to gain a legacy advantage over larger competitors.

Practical Strategic Takeaway

• SMBs should not view visual content as “secondary” but embrace it as a core component of their content strategy.
• Integrating visuals with written and video content creates better SEO opportunities and positions small businesses to capitalize on the future of search.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Opportunity, I would say."
  – Helen Pollitt (00:53)
• "We shouldn't be trying to segment written copy from visual from video, etc."
  – Helen Pollitt (01:12)
• "This is... such a good time that you can get that inside lane to have a legacy up, especially on the bigger businesses."
  – Tyson Stockton (02:54)

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:43: Host asks for the one word defining the future of visual search for SMBs.
• 00:53–01:25: Helen Pollitt explains why "opportunity" is the key word and the need for an integrated approach.
• 02:54: Tyson Stockton summarizes and reinforces the potential for SMBs in visual search.

---

Conclusion

In under five minutes, this episode distills the future of visual search for small businesses into the single word: opportunity. The conversation encourages SMBs to rethink how they approach content, breaking down old silos between text and visuals. By proactively integrating visuals into their SEO and content strategies, small businesses can carve out a competitive edge in an evolving digital landscape.

---

Transcript

[A]

The Voices of Search Podcast is a proud member of the I Hear Everything Podcast Network. Looking to launch or scale your podcast, I Hear Everything delivers podcast production, growth and monetization solutions that transform your words into profit. Ready to give your brand a voice? Then visit iheareverything.com welcome to the Voices of Search Podcast. A member of the I Hear Everything Podcast Network, ready to expedite your company's organic growth efforts. Sit back, relax and get ready for your daily dose of search engine optimization wisdom. Here's today's host of the Voices of Search Podcast, Tyson Stockton.

[B]

Next question here. So we're looking for one word. What's one word that defines the future of visual search for small businesses?

[C]

Opportunity, I would say. Shall I expand?

[B]

All right, let's hear it.

[C]

I think we've spoken a lot about the opportunities that are available to SMBs, and I think visual is, as we've said, it's secondary thought to a lot of SEOs, in particular website owners. And there's so much more opportunity there. And I think we really need to start considering visual as a part of content as a whole. We shouldn't be trying to segment written copy from visual from video, etc. So yeah, I'd say opportunity time for.

[D]

A one minute break to hear from our sponsor, Pre Visible. So you're looking for SEO help and you got a couple of options. You could start replying to spam from agencies that claim they can get you to rank number one on Google. You can pay an hourly rate for a consultant who will inevitably nickel and dime you with hourly charges. Or you can work with a cookie cutter agency to quickly launch a strategy less project with low success rate. None of those sound very good now do they? Well, that's where Pre Visible's integrated consulting model comes in. Pre Visible draws From a collective 40 years of SEO and digital marketing experience to unlock your organic growth opportunities. They build custom solutions that combine strategy, technical expertise, content and reporting to effectively operationalize SEO for your business. Pre Visible's four stage approach ensures that your SEO programs thrive by starting off with a strategy first approach. Then they support you in your efforts to create quality content, help you identify technical issues, and most importantly, they'll work with your cross functional teams to integrate your SEO strategies to make sure that your SEO budget actually drives results, not just your agency's bottom line. So join brands like Yelp, eBay, Canva, Atlassian Square, all who rely on the SEO consultants at Pre Visible. For more information go to Previsible IO, that's Pre Visible P R E V I S I BLE IO.

[B]

I know it's always tough to boil that down into one word and that at least they're always the toughest questions for me. But I do agree, we talked about it a lot in the conversation where there's opportunity for those businesses that can mobilize. And if you're expanding how you're viewing content, this is, I think, just such a good time that you can get that inside lane to have a legacy up, especially on the bigger businesses. Well, with that, that's going to wrap up this episode of the Voice of Search podcast. Thanks again to Helen Pollitt from iStock for joining us. If you'd like to contact Helen, you can find a link to her LinkedIn profile in the show Notes, or be sure to check out her company's [e-mail] if you haven't subscribed yet and want a daily stream of SEO and content marketing knowledge in your podcast feed, hit that subscribe button on your podcast app or on YouTube and we'll be back in your feed soon. So with that, that's all for today.

[E]

Look forward to seeing you in the next episode.