Over the last year, I’ve watched how AI has completely reshaped how people search for information, discover businesses, and make purchasing decisions. And I’ve come to a sobering realization:
Most Caribbean businesses are completely invisible in this new AI-powered ecosystem.
This article isn’t a hype piece about the future. It’s a grounded look at what’s happening right now — and why our region is being left behind.
A Personal Wake-Up Call
Let me tell you about the moment this all clicked for me.
My Logitech MX Master 2 mouse — the tool that literally helps me stay productive every day — died. I needed a replacement fast. Naturally, I jumped on Google to find a local retailer in Trinidad.
I searched for the latest Logitech models.
Nothing from the Caribbean showed up.
No product listings.
No store websites.
Not even a blog post or review.
I refined the search.
I added “Trinidad.”
Still — nothing helpful.
Out of frustration, I turned to Facebook. I asked my audience if they knew where I could buy one. People tagged computer stores. None responded. I messaged them. Still no answer. I even tried calling a few.
Zero luck.
After wasting nearly three hours, I did what most of us would do:
I ordered it from Amazon.
A week later, it was on my desk the Logitech MX Master 3s was on my desk.
This Isn’t Just a Customer Problem.
It’s a Caribbean Business Problem.
That experience showed me how broken the system is — and how much money we’re losing every day simply because we’re not showing up.
It wasn’t that local businesses didn’t have the product.
It’s that they didn’t have:
- Websites that rank
- Indexed content
- Proper SEO
- Online catalogs
- Response systems
- E-commerce or even Google visibility
We weren’t just invisible to Google —
We were invisible to the tools consumers actually use to make decisions today.
And that was just one product search.
AI Is the New Search Engine — And We’re Not Even on the Map
Globally, people are no longer just “Googling it.”
They’re opening ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and asking:
“What’s the best camera for travel content?”
“Where should I stay in Tobago with ocean views?”
“What are the top restaurants near me with vegan options?”
And AI is responding — not with social media links or ads — but with blog articles, product pages, local directories, and e-commerce listings.
📊 According to BrightEdge, 70% of AI-generated answers rely on structured website content — not social media.
And while Instagram was previously excluded from this indexable content pool, as of July 10, 2025, Google now indexes public Instagram posts — adding even more pressure to produce SEO-optimized content across platforms.
In Southeast Asia, I Saw the Future Firsthand
I’ve been living in Thailand for the last 10 months. I’ve spent time in Vietnam and China. Let me tell you — the gap between what’s happening there and what’s happening in the Caribbean is massive.
In Southeast Asia, when I search for a product or service, I immediately see:
- Blog reviews
- YouTube videos
- Embedded product links
- Pricing comparisons
- Return policies and warranties
- AI-powered shopping flows
- TikTok Live Shopping is massive
- Digital QVC (Massive)
And after I search?
Retargeting kicks in across every platform — reminding me, nurturing me, and eventually leading to a purchase.
Meanwhile in the Caribbean…
We’re still having debates like:
“Do I really need a website?”
“My developer did SEO a year ago, so we’re good.”
“We’re just focused on Instagram right now.”
But here’s the truth:
If you’re not showing up in AI, you’re not in the consideration set.
And if you’re not in the consideration set, you’re not getting the sale.
It’s not just about losing attention.
It’s about losing money (and Forex) — over and over again — to platforms and vendors outside the region.
Why Are We Invisible?
Let’s break it down:
1. Lack of Digital Infrastructure
Most Caribbean businesses still don’t have a functioning, SEO-ready website.
Even when they do, it’s outdated, broken, or not optimized.
2. No Indexed Content
AI tools rely on content that’s:
- Public
- Structured
- Relevant content to match relevant searches
- Frequently updated
That means blogs, product pages, YouTube Videos, FAQs, White Papers, etc — not social media posts or WhatsApp broadcasts.
3. No E-Commerce Integration
We still don’t have access to Meta Shops (Facebook/Instagram Shops or TikTok shops) in the region.
That means no frictionless buying on social. So even if someone finds you, they often can’t complete the transaction online.
4. Marketing Still = Social Media Only
We’ve outsourced our marketing strategy to creatives and influencers — chasing virality instead of visibility.
And because of that, we’ve built brands that entertain, not brands that convert.
What’s at Stake?
We don’t just miss local customers.
We lose:
- Diaspora traffic who want to support back home
- Travelers who plan their experiences using Google and AI
- Foreign currency that could stay in the region
- Credibility, because when you don’t show up — people assume you don’t exist
So What’s the Fix?
Here’s the good news — this is fixable.
You don’t need a massive team.
You don’t need VC funding.
You need to:
✅ Build a website (or update it)
✅ Create blog content that answers real questions
✅ Structure your pages for search (SEO & metadata)
✅ Turn your videos into transcribed blogs
✅ Use tools like CapCut/Descript to transcribe Video/Audio content and ChatGPT to repurpose to various forms of new content
✅ Start thinking in ecosystems, not platforms
✅ And most importantly — you need data
You need to know:
- What your audience is searching for
- What keywords matter
- What AI tools are using to generate responses in your niche
Let Me Help You Get Found
That’s why I created the Visibility Growth Strategy Suite — a done-for-you service to help you:
- Understand your search landscape
- Build content that gets indexed
- Become discoverable in Google and AI tools
- Build a repeatable traffic system — not just hope for a viral Reel
But before you go spending money, check out this case study I did on the “Roti” Audience of Trinidad and Tobago. I do a full case study and breakdown so you get an idea of what to expect in the report and how to use the data to your advantage –> How Well Do You Know Roti Lovers in Trinidad and Tobago?
Whether you’re in retail, tourism, education, or media — this is how we build digital resilience and future-proof our businesses. These reports and guidance will go a long way in getting found in the Search Engines and AI Search.
Final Thought
The consumer has already evolved.
AI search is no longer a future trend — it’s here, shaping how people find businesses and make decisions.
The real question is:
Will you show up?
Because if AI can’t find you in search —
You’re not just invisible.
You’re irrelevant.
Now is the time to stop chasing followers and start building foundations.
To move from posting… to publishing.
From talking about marketing… to actually doing it.
If you’re ready to be found in AI search, Google, and beyond —
I’m ready to help.
Let’s get visible.