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Is SEO dead in 2025?

Is SEO dead in 2025?

Every few years, the same debate comes back: Is SEO dead in 2025? With the fast growth of artificial intelligence, constant updates from search engines, and the rise of large language models that change how people discover information, many wonder if SEO has lost its importance. Search results are no longer just about web pages. 

Today, ranking depends on how well AI-driven systems and LLM-powered search tools understand content. The truth is that SEO looks very different compared to a few years ago, but that does not mean it is gone. 

So, does that mean traditional SEO is dead? Not really. But it is changing faster than ever. Let’s take a closer look at the trends and data to get a clear pulse check on the state of SEO today.

Why People Think SEO Is Dead?

The idea that SEO is dying is not new. Since the early days of Google, each major algorithm update has led to claims that traditional strategies no longer work. For example, Turkey’s news outlets reported up to 90% loss in traffic after Google’s August 2024 core update, especially from News and Discover features. uSERP Many small businesses also say they saw 30–60% drops in traffic after Google’s March 2024 update. 

Another reason people believe SEO is dead is the rise of paid ads. Ads often occupy prime space at the top of search results, pushing organic listings further down.

AI developments add more fuel to these beliefs. Tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) are now showing direct answers in search result pages. These summaries sometimes reduce the need for users to click through to websites. 

Why People Think SEO Is Dead

Because of that, many ask why SEO is dead or if organic SEO is dead entirely.

The reality is SEO has changed, not ended. Sites that adjust to algorithm shifts, focus on high-quality content, and adapt to how AI tools treat content still get traffic and visibility.

Recent Data & Examples (2025)

  • During the March 2025 Google Core Update, many large forums, media and affiliate sites saw traffic drops of 40-50%. For example, AVS Forum lost ~44% and VWVortex lost ~41%. Rank Math
  • In the same update, iGaming sites showed big losses: sportsbookreview.com saw about a 41% drop in organic traffic, bettingpros.com lost about 52%, and thelines.com dropped ~38%. Fortis Media
  • The June 2025 Core Update hit news and media sites very hard. Some lost 20-50% of their traffic over just two weeks. For instance, France24.com lost 69%, timesofisrael.com lost ~59%, and Haaretz.com saw ~57% traffic decline after the update.
  • Another strong signal: “AI Overviews” (Google’s feature that shows AI summary answers above or in place of traditional search results) are hurting click-through rates. Ahrefs’ study (of 300,000 keywords) found a 34.5% drop in CTR for the position 1 organic result when AI Overviews are present. Search Engine Land
  • In news media, some publishers have reported up to 79% reduction in traffic for queries where their site used to rank first but now appears below an AI summary box. 

Is Local SEO Dead in 2025?

When people ask, is local SEO dead, the answer is simple: no. In fact, local SEO is more important than ever in 2025. Consumers still rely heavily on Google Maps, business listings, and “near me” searches to find restaurants, shops, and service providers nearby. According to Google’s own data, searches containing “near me” have continued to grow year after year, especially on mobile devices.

For small and local businesses, showing up in local results can mean the difference between gaining a new customer and losing them to a competitor. Optimizing your Google Business Profile, managing online reviews, and keeping your business details consistent across local citations are still vital. Far from being dead, local SEO remains one of the most effective ways for businesses to connect with their communities and attract nearby customers.

For a detailed breakdown of when you can expect SEO results, read our article on How Long Does SEO Take to See Results?

The Evolution of SEO in 2025

SEO in 2025 looks very different from a few years ago. The rise of artificial intelligence and voice search is reshaping how people discover information online. Instead of typing short keywords, users now ask full questions through voice assistants or AI tools. This shift makes conversational, intent-focused content more important than ever.

One clear signal of change is in featured snippets, zero-click searches, and AI-generated answers. Google’s Search Generative Experience is increasingly showing direct summaries, reducing the need to click through to websites. Sites that structure their content to appear in AI summaries or answer boxes can win visibility even when click rates drop.

Recent Google core updates underscore this evolution. In March 2025, Google rolled out a broad core update from March 13 to 27, causing ranking volatility across many sectors. The update reinforced Google’s focus on helpful, original, trustworthy content. 

Marketing Aid In June 2025, Google launched another core update from June 30 to July 17, described as a regular update meant to “better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers.” Search Engine Land Many sites reported shifts both up and down; some even saw partial recoveries from past algorithm hits.

Beyond just keywords, Google now places heavy weight on EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). To rank well today, sites must show real-world experience, expert authorship, and credible sources. SEO isn’t about stuffing keywords or chasing links anymore. It is about providing real value, aligning with user intent, and building authority over time.

**The Future of SEO: What to Focus On (Points)

  • Quality Content & Semantic SEO
    • Answer the question fully.
    • Use related keywords to cover the topic.
    • Focus on intent not individual keywords.
  • Optimizing for AI-Driven Search
    • Structure content to match conversational long form queries.
    • Use clear headings, bullet points and concise summaries.
    • Make content understandable by AI and search engines.
  • Local SEO
    • Keep Google Business Profiles up to date and accurate.
    • Manage reviews and respond to customer feedback.
    • Keep local citations consistent to show up in local searches.
  • Technical SEO
    • Fast loading pages and mobile first design.
    • Proper site architecture for easy navigation.
    • Optimize metadata, structured data and internal linking.
  • Human Creativity & Authentic Content
    • Original content with a clear brand voice.
    • Show expertise, authority and trustworthiness.
    • Combine AI friendly optimization with real engaging content.

Summary: Focusing on these areas will keep you visible, credible and competitive in 2025’s AI driven SEO landscape.

Conclusion

SEO is not dead in 2025. It’s evolved to meet the needs of an AI driven, user focused digital world. From AI powered search results and voice queries to zero click answers and changing algorithms, the way we find information has changed but the value of SEO remains.

Businesses that adapt to these changes by focusing on quality content, technical optimization, local SEO and brand messaging will thrive. SEO today is about understanding intent, building trust and providing real value.

Rather than asking “Is SEO dead?”, the better question is “How is SEO changing?”. Companies that embrace this evolution will be better positioned to succeed online for years to come.

FAQs

Is SEO still important in 2025?

Yes, SEO is still king in 2025. It’s evolved with AI and changing search habits but optimizing for search engines still drives organic traffic and brand visibility.

What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

GEO is optimizing for AI-driven search results, so your content is referenced by AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s SGE. It’s all about user intent and content quality over traditional keyword strategies.

How has AI impacted SEO in 2025?

AI has changed SEO by how users search and consume information. With AI-powered tools providing direct answers, SEO now includes optimizing for AI-generated responses and conversational queries.

Is local SEO still relevant in 2025?

Yes, local SEO is still important for businesses targeting specific geographic areas. Optimizing for local search gets you in location-based queries and nearby customers.

What are the SEO trends in 2025?

Optimizing for AI and voice search, user experience and site speed, high-quality content, structured data for better search visibility.

How do I adapt my SEO strategy for 2025?

Understand user intent, optimize for AI and voice search, site speed and mobile-friendliness, create valuable content, structured data for better search performance.

What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

AEO is optimizing for AI-generated answers and voice search results. It’s about providing clear, concise and authoritative information that AI tools can reference easily.

How long does it take to see SEO results in 2025?

SEO results take 3 to 6 months to show. Content quality, competition and website authority affects timing and consistent optimization is key.

Should I focus on traditional SEO or AI optimization?

Both. Traditional SEO gets you ranked, AI optimization gets you visible in AI-generated responses and voice search results.

What are the basics of SEO in 2025?

High-quality user-focused content, technical SEO (site speed, mobile optimization), authority through backlinks, optimizing for AI and voice search.