Have you noticed a drop in traffic, even though you’re still publishing quality content?
👀 Here’s what’s really happening in search right now (September 2025):
- AI is answering first. Tools like Google’s AI Overviews now give direct answers, often before they click anything.
- Click-through rates are shrinking. Being in the top 10 is no longer a guarantee of traffic.
- The new game: it’s not just about ranking—it’s about becoming the answer AI tools cite.
💡 What this means for businesses:
- Focus on AEO = Answer Engine Optimization → structure content in Q&A, how-to, formats.
- Explore GEO = Generative Engine Optimization → create original, authoritative content (case studies, research, in-depth guides) that AI is more likely to pull from.
- Keep your site technically strong → site speed, structured data, crawlability.
- Don’t forget human oversight → AI-generated content without editing is getting flagged as spam more often.
- Build your brand signals → the stronger and more consistent your online presence, the more trust AI engines assign.
✨ The takeaway: SEO isn’t dead - it’s evolving. Businesses that adapt to AI-first search will still get visibility, even if traffic looks different.
👉 How about you - are you updating your SEO strategy for this AI-shift?