Has AI Replaced Local Cannabis SEO? Not Even Close.
If you’ve cruised cannabis marketing forums or LinkedIn lately, you’ve probably seen hot takes like Brady’s:
Brady’s spot on!
And as much buzz as AI and fancy new acronyms are getting, the ground rules haven’t really changed for local dispensary SEO. Searchers are still “googling” dispensaries nearby, comparing menus, and using map packs to make buying decisions. Local SEO is alive and well.
From LF2M +14 TOP NEED HERO to GEO, AEO, and LLMO
Let me get personal for a minute. I’ve played the MMO World of Warcraft for many years now, where trade chat is a world of abbreviations. “LF2M +14 TOP NEED HERO” actually means “Looking for two more people for a +14 Theatre of Pain Mythic Plus dungeon, we need someone with the Lust/Hero ability.”
That train of thought prepared me for SEO in 2025, because our field just loves acronym soup.
Now, everywhere you look, it’s GEO, AEO, GSO, LLMO, and more. Agencies rebrand the exact same tactics with shiny new names, hoping you won’t notice it’s all just… SEO.
It’s entertaining (and sometimes exhausting) to see our industry pretend everything’s so different, when really, we’re still talking about:
- Creating legit, helpful content
- Building links and authority
- Optimizing technical stuff (website speed, structure, meta tags)
- Managing your Google Business Profile
What’s Really Changed for Cannabis Dispensary SEO in 2025?
So, what has actually changed? Let’s reality-check the marketing noise:
1. Search Behaviors Are Growing Smarter
AI hasn’t made people stop searching for “dispensary near me.” In fact, overall search impressions for cannabis businesses have jumped by nearly 49% since the rollout of Google’s AI Overviews, though click-through rates are down about 30%.
People are using longer queries, too. Instead of “weed gummies,” users are typing out “best 10mg THC gummies in Cleveland for sleep.” Long-tail, conversational keywords now rule the day.
2. New Opportunities Through AI Citations
Here’s a fun twist: nearly 89% of AI citations come from beyond page one of traditional search results. That means your dispensary’s blog or FAQ page could get featured in AI-generated answers even if you’re not sitting at the top of Google’s organic listings.
Bottom line? Helpful, accurate, and local content matters more than ever.
3. Reddit Is Suddenly a Secret Weapon
One of the most legit tactical shifts in the past year? Reddit.
After Google’s Helpful Content Update, forums like Reddit became goldmines for backlinks, especially for regulated spaces like cannabis and wellness. Brands that build a genuine presence (not spammy links—real answers and conversations) see solid SEO benefits. Want to rank better? Start participating where your target audience actually spends their internet time.
4. AI Enriches the Search Experience, It Doesn’t Deliver Weed
No matter how “smart” AI gets, it isn’t delivering products, answering phone calls, or opening your store doors for you. The final stretch of the user journey still comes down to local visibility. When someone searches “dispensary near me” or “cannabis delivery in Brooklyn,” Google’s business listings and maps drive foot traffic and phone calls. It’s the digital front door for dispensaries.
Don’t Get Distracted by Buzzwords (or Fancy Jargon)
Let’s have some real talk: marketing teams (mine included, sometimes) are masters at slapping new names on old concepts. “AI Search,” “entity optimization,” “EEAT,” and a thousand more. At the end of the day, they’re all flavors of the same recipe: Give searchers what they want in a way Google understands.
I said it on my own blog, Gaming Taught Me AI Search Reality, and I’ll say it again: don’t let the acronyms fool you. If your agency is pitching GEO/AEO as a totally new revolution, ask for receipts. Odds are, they’re following the fundamentals with a new coat of paint.
What Still Works for Cannabis Dispensary SEO in 2025?
If you want rankings, traffic, and real business from your web presence, these are still mission-critical:
Local SEO & Google Maps
Your Google Business Profile is the number one driver of new and repeat customers. Claim it, optimize it, update it, and encourage reviews. If you haven’t already, bookmark the Google Business Profile Guide for Cannabis Dispensaries.
On-Page Cannabis Content
Detailed menus, product pages, location-specific blog posts, and FAQ content signal trust and relevance for search engines (and help you snag those long-tail searches).
Quality Link Building (Not Spam)
Genuine backlinks from industry blogs, reputable directories, and yes, even Reddit, still move you up the rankings. Google can sniff out cheap spam a mile away.
Technical Best Practices
Fast websites, clean navigation, and solid schema markup are table stakes. Broken pages or outdated plugins? That kills rankings, fast.
Real-World Signals
Quantity and quality of reviews, consistent business info, “open now” hours, and up-to-date menus across platforms (your website, Leafly, Weedmaps, and Google) all reinforce your local authority.
Tracking Success in an AI Search World
As search results evolve, your SEO tracking needs an upgrade too. Don’t just stare at old-school click numbers
Look at:
- How often are you cited in AI or “overview” answers
- Brand mentions (and how AI describes you)
- Your share of voice versus local competitors for long-tail queries
- Your visibility across Google, Bing, and emerging chat search platforms
The old playbook isn’t gone, but you need new pages in your analytics report.
Why Results Matter More Than Buzzwords
In my experience, clients rarely care what we call the tactic—they want results. They want the phone to ring, the menu to load, and new faces in the lobby. The cannabis industry is unique, because paid ads are still (mostly) off the table. Organic search is your lifeline.
So if you’re in retail cannabis and hear a pitch full of new acronyms and trendy “AI” catchphrases, remember: the winners keep their eyes on what actually works. Don’t chase the noise. Keep showing up when people are searching in your city.
The Takeaway for Dispensary Owners (and Real SEO Pros)
AI hasn’t killed local search. It’s changed how it looks, but the real work happens underneath all that hype. Focus on:
- Ranking your Google Business Profile and maps listing
- Serving helpful, detailed content that answers exactly what cannabis customers are Googling
- Building real connections (and backlinks) in your niche and community
- Adapting your metrics to track success in this new landscape
Long story short? Gaming taught me to speak acronyms. Working in SEO taught me to spot when fun new buzzwords are just old tricks in disguise. Your dispensary’s ranking success in 2025 depends on cutting through that noise and doubling down on what really drives results.
If you want no-nonsense, results-driven cannabis SEO help, check out Evergreen Digital. Let’s put those acronyms to work—without getting lost in the jargon.
Randi Bagley is Evergreen Digital’s resident SEO nerd, gaming jargon translator, and honest voice in the cannabis digital marketing space. Connect at evergreenseoservices.com/blog for more reality checks and winning tactics.
