If you’re planning to grow your business or website through SEO on Google, let me start by telling you the truth — it’s not going to be as easy as you think.
Why?
Because the SEO strategies you’re currently using might only cover 20% of what’s needed. The remaining 80%? It’s something completely new, and it’s changing the game permanently.
In this article, I’m going to explain what this 80% is all about, why the SEO world is shifting, and exactly what you need to do to not just survive — but thrive.
The Google Search We Knew Is Gone
Pick up your phone right now and search for anything on Google.
You’ll notice something: Google’s AI now directly generates answers for you.
Now, if you look at a Google search result from 5 years ago, you’d see a long list of websites ranking for your query. You could click on any site, do your research, and find detailed information.
Today?
You barely get the chance. Google’s AI grabs the best info and shows it immediately.
And here’s the hard truth: ranking a website through traditional SEO is getting harder because of three major reasons:
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Google is pushing videos — YouTube results dominate the top.
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User-generated content rules — Platforms like Reddit and Quora get prioritized.
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Paid ads are everywhere — If you aren’t spending on ads, organic reach is even tougher.
If you think people will scroll to Page 5 to find your website — sorry, that’s just not happening anymore.
The Rise of AI Search Tools (and Why You Must Adapt)
Imagine you’re searching:
“Best books to read as a marketer.”
If you use Google, you’ll have to browse multiple websites.
But if you ask AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude AI, they instantly pull the best answers after analyzing tons of data.
People love instant answers — and this has given birth to two new powerful concepts:
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GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
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AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
Instead of only optimizing for traditional search engines, you now need to optimize your content for AI-driven platforms too.
Yes, that includes Google’s AI Overview, ChatGPT, and other AI assistants.
How Generative Engine Optimization Works
Traditional SEO was simple:
You picked keywords, wrote blogs, and hoped to rank on Google.
GEO is different:
When someone types a query into an AI tool, it fetches information from across the internet. If your website is optimized correctly, AI tools can mention your business directly in their responses — sometimes with clickable links!
Your new goal?
Get AI tools to recognize, fetch, and recommend your website or business.
Now let’s dive into 6 secret strategies to help you dominate in this new world:
1. Clearly Define Who You Are
Your website should answer three questions immediately:
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Who are you?
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What do you offer?
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Why are you different?
For example, instead of writing “We provide services,” say:
“We are the best digital marketing agency offering highly valuable growth services to clients worldwide.”
Also, showcase customer testimonials, real reviews, and detailed service descriptions. AI needs to quickly understand and trust your business.
2. Build Mentions on Trusted Websites
Backlinks still matter — but now mentions on trusted sites are even more important.
When AI scans search engines for data, it picks businesses that appear frequently on reputable platforms.
How can you do this?
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PR activities
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Guest blogging
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Collaborations
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Organic brand mentions on authority websites
If your name or business is consistently visible, AI will prefer to recommend you.
3. Track AI Mentions Using Free Tools
Use a tool like Falcon RankAI.
Paste your website URL and it will tell you:
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Which queries related to your business are trending on AI tools.
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Whether your business is being mentioned by AI models like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, Perplexity, Gemini, and more.
If not, it’s a clear sign you need to optimize your site based on those missing keywords.
4. Optimize Based on Real AI Queries
Don’t just write random blogs.
Instead, find what people are actually searching related to your niche and optimize your site around those terms.
Example:
If people are searching “Best platform to learn Facebook ads,” and you offer that — make sure your website content reflects it clearly.
5. Create Listicle Content (Smartly!)
Yes, it’s a bit of a “grey area” strategy but it’s powerful.
Create listicles like:
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“Best real estate agencies in [Your City]”
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“Top digital marketing coaches in India”
And feature yourself at the top!
When AI pulls data from listicles, there’s a higher chance your business gets showcased first.
6. Get Authentic Reviews on Multiple Platforms
AI doesn’t just check Google Reviews anymore. It scans multiple review sites to see who has the best customer feedback.
So, ask your customers for genuine, specific reviews:
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What service they used
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How you helped them
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What results they saw
Avoid fake reviews — both Google and AI tools are smart enough to detect them.
Bonus Tip: Use YouTube as Your Search Engine Weapon
If you want organic reach, there’s no better platform than YouTube today.
Creating helpful video content around frequently asked questions in your industry can:
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Boost your organic visibility
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Build deeper trust
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Bring you higher-quality leads
Even if your website traffic drops, a strong YouTube presence can keep your business growing.
Conclusion
SEO has evolved — and it’s no longer about just stuffing keywords into blogs.
In 2025 and beyond, success comes from understanding how AI and users interact with information.
If you start applying these strategies today — focusing on visibility, authority, and trust — you’ll not only stay ahead of your competitors but also future-proof your online growth.
Start optimizing for the future. The time is now. 🚀
