Do you still believe in SEO?

Hey, here is my take, SEO is here to stay but you are optimizing for agents, while users will pivot towards much more specific queries including context over why they're searching for something, what they expect etc

Then agents/AI chats will do the work of digging through links to gather and summarize content, because they've done the work of digging through data for you it means blogging etc likely won't matter as much for humans but product-wise you'll get much more qualified traffic which will get redirect exactly to the page that matches their intent e.g: buying page

Actually been working on a tool to help B2B SMBs/B2C brands improve their AI SEO recently and it's quite fascinating, what I can tell you is that backlinks matter more than ever not to get to the top 10 like you would on Google but because your goal is to increase your backlink coverage in order to make sure whatever query AI ends up on you're cited and then it'll dig deeper and find your website

Totally agree that the future is shifting towards AEO/GEO.

My main concern, though, is that it seems like AEO will heavily favor the big, established players, concentrating most of the traffic at the very top. This could make it much harder for smaller sites to get noticed.

On that topic, has anyone found any good AEO/GEO tools or products yet? Would love to hear what people are using.

Your website needs to be credible to be listed in the answer generated by AI. I fully stand behind the answer that @m_dolr wrote.

Like you, I’ve survived countless “SEO is dead” headlines, and yet, here we are, still optimizing (and still ranking). The landscape is definitely shifting: with Google’s AI Overviews, SGE, and the rise of answer engines, the old tricks don’t cut it anymore. But instead of a funeral, I see this as an evolution.

For now, it's here to stay. SEO and content are still needed for AI to scrape and learn from. I think AOE will be the new SEO, but if AIs rely on being fed user-generated content, they need a system where that content is relevant, in demand, and accurate, and that’s where SEO comes in.

So now, you're not just optimizing to appear first in Google search, but to show up in AI queries or even be cited in their answers. You can think of it as a new kind of ranking.

We're going through this right now.
I think it will be a blend of both. You'll have to be optimized for SEO with GEO blended into the strategy. You should write content with an understanding on how AI actually searches and selects content to present.
Regular SEO is so ingrained in our society, I don't see that leaving anytime soon. I do see it evolving over the short-term.

It's surely not over but evolving with AI. Only thing I would want to be further refined is that search engines or LLMs are able to better figure out that keywords or content is not being added just for the sake of SEO i.e. it should be genuine. While it has already been there but still there is room for improvement and prevent from gaming the system.

Absolutely fascinating perspective, Aaron! I agree that traditional SEO as we knew it is definitely evolving, especially with Google shifting towards more AI-driven, answer-focused search results. The rise of "answer engine optimization" seems like a natural next step—optimizing content not just for keywords but for providing clear, concise answers that satisfy user intent directly. It challenges content creators to be more precise and user-centric. While SEO might not be "over," it’s certainly transforming, and those who adapt will thrive. Looking forward to seeing how this space continues to change!

Absolutely agree with you! 🙌 SEO has definitely evolved a lot, and with Google's focus shifting towards providing direct answers, "answer engine optimization" seems like the natural next step. 🎯 It’s all about understanding user intent and delivering the most relevant, concise information right away. Exciting times ahead for content creators and marketers! 🚀✨

Hey 👋

Love this question — and it’s one I’ve been thinking about a lot too.

I've also been in SEO for nearly a decade, and if I had a dollar for every time I heard "SEO is dead," I'd probably have retired by now 😅. But I’ll admit — this time feels different.

With Google’s AI Overviews, the rise of ChatGPT-style search behavior, and the growing importance of platforms like Perplexity and You.com, it’s clear that traditional SEO as we know it is evolving — fast.

But is SEO dead? I don't think so. I believe it’s splintering.

We’re moving from:

✅ Search Engine Optimization (SEO) — optimizing for Google’s 10 blue links

To:

✅ Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) — optimizing for AI-generated answers and zero-click experiences

And eventually:

✅ Visibility Optimization — where it’s not just about Google, but wherever your audience seeks answers — AI chats, apps, niche communities, even social platforms like Reddit or TikTok.

So yes, AEO is part of the answer — but the bigger play is understanding user intent across platforms, creating content that's structured for machines and resonates with humans, and building authority that transcends algorithms.

The good news? For those of us who've always prioritized helpful, intent-driven, high-quality content — this shift is more of an opportunity than a threat.

Curious — how are you approaching this new landscape in your strategy? 👀