SEO is not dead. It just looks different depending on your generation.

Every few weeks I see the same hot take:

“SEO is dead because ChatGPT and AI search will replace Google.”

But the reality is a bit more nuanced. Different generations are approaching search in very different ways:

• Gen Z (18–26): 82% have used AI search tools at least occasionally, and they favor social media for product discovery.

• Millennials (27–42): Use both traditional search and AI, especially for professional and educational queries.

• Gen X (43–58): 65% use AI occasionally, but they still prefer traditional search engines.

• Baby Boomers (59–76): 45% have tried AI tools, but they remain the most loyal to Google.

So yes, AI is changing behavior. But Google isn’t going anywhere. Billions of searches still happen every day, and for most businesses, rankings are still one of the main ways customers discover you.

The bigger issue is that most people don’t track whether their SEO efforts are actually working.

Now you can use ZapDigts SEO Keyword tracking feature to get automated reports.

SEO isn’t dead. Lazy SEO is.