Shaking Up Search

‘SEO is dead’ is something we see on social media every day. Marketing ‘gurus’ will tell you that search engine optimisation is a thing of the past, and whilst we disagree, we also know that if you’re simply relying on traditional SEO, you might be missing a trick. Welcome to the age of AIO and social optimisation. 

What is Search Engine Optimisation?

Search engine optimisation, or SEO as it’s more commonly referred to, is the process of improving your ranking on search engines by improving your website functionality, speed, and content. The more you optimise, the higher you’re likely to rank.

Ultimately, SEO is all about improving your trust, increasing credibility, and getting more eyes on your online content. In 2025, SEO goes further than just website content. Local SEO, AIO, and even social SEO are alternative ways your content can be seen by more people. 

Let’s Get Social

This year, Instagram announced that content from professional accounts can show up in search engine results, changing the SEO landscape yet again. How do I optimise my Instagram for this change, we hear you ask? 

Update your profile

Use a relevant username (usually just your business name), update your name field and your bio. Ensure that you’re using relevant keywords and a clear description to ensure that you can easily be found online. 

Optimise your content

Incorporate keywords into your captions, using a mixture of brand and generic keywords. Try not to use overly generic keywords, as these will have higher competition, but equally try to stick to keywords people will be searching. Don’t forget to add alt text to your imagery to help search engines better understand your content (this is also a big win for accessibility). 

Check your account settings

You will need to have a public profile and a professional account to become visible to search engines. Indexing is an option, so ensure you have ‘opted-in’ to have your posts indexed.

A New Era

Welcome to AIO, or ‘Artificial Intelligence Optimisation’. AIO goes beyond ranking on Google and aims to get your content cited in AI-generated summaries, like Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT. Google AI Overviews pop up at the top of Google now, instead of webpages, meaning if your content is not optimised for performance in AI ecosystems, you’ll lack visibility. 

According to SEO.com, 60% of searches are now completed without users clicking through to other websites, and 58% of searches now trigger AI overviews as the top search result. Brands worldwide have seen their website click-through rates decrease, with less people searching for information via websites, choosing to use AI platforms like ChatGPT instead. 

How to Optimise for an AI World

Keep your content clear and concise

Make it as easy to read as possible, so that when search engines crawl your website, they can clearly organise content according to specific searches and keywords

Incorporate an FAQ section on your website

This is about making information as accessible and easy to read as possible. FAQ sections are not only easier for people to access and understand, but search engines froth over accessible content

Update your website content

Ensure your content is up-to-date. Websites with older, outdated content are less likely to show up than fresh, original content. Make sure readability and accessibility suggestions are adhered to

Ensure you have a solid SEO strategy in place

Traditional SEO is still key in an AI world. Updating keywords, backlinks, and other traditional on-page factors still stand. Learn more about what’s involved with a traditional SEO strategy here

What’s The Verdict? 

So no, SEO isn’t dead. SEO as we traditionally know it is changing. AI has shaken up the marketing world and taken things to new heights. It’s important that your SEO strategy adapts to new changes to ensure that your results don’t dip. With more chances to be visible online and easier access to information, there’s never been a better time to boost your SEO activities.

Keeping up with these changes can be hard, especially if you’re busy running a business. Studio Blackardt’s digital specialists can ensure you stay relevant and seen online, with our SEO and digital marketing services. Chat with us today.