Is SEO Dead? How GenAI is Changing SEO & Search

Author: Tanya Ganian
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
9:00 am
POINT7DIGITAL Montreal Digital Marketing Company

Search has changed.

With AI-powered answers taking over Google results and tools like ChatGPT delivering instant responses, traditional SEO is no longer enough.

Businesses that want to stay visible need to shift from ranking for clicks to becoming the trusted source AI tools pull from. In this guide, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping search and the exact steps you can take to future-proof your SEO strategy in the age of generative AI.

And when it happens, it’s going to change the way brands reach customers.

 Here’s how GenAI is changing SEO and search — and why the old “rank on page 1 and wait for clicks” strategy is breaking down:

1. AI Answers Are Replacing Many Clicks

Tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, Perplexity, Bing Copilot pull answers directly from multiple sources and display them instantly. Users don’t need to visit your site. They get the info right in the AI-generated answer. If someone searches “best beach hoodies for summer,” an AI result might list products and summarize reviews without sending traffic to you.

2. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Is the New SEO

Instead of just optimizing for Google’s crawler, you now have to optimize for AI models so your brand is cited in or influences the AI answer.

• Structure your content clearly (H1s, H2s, bullet points, Q&A format)

• Use factual, up-to-date, authoritative language

• Build topical authority so AI sees your site as a trusted source in your niche.

3. Search Is No Longer Just Google

Consumers now search in TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit, and directly in AI tools. Younger audiences search “how to style linen pants” in TikTok before Google. Treat each platform like its own search engine and optimize for it (video SEO, Pinterest keywords, Reddit engagement) 

4. Brand Trust Matters More Than Keywords

AI models are more likely to pull from brands they recognize and trust. That means:

• Consistent brand presence across the web

• Backlinks from high-authority sites

• Mentions in trusted publications or forums

5. Rich Media Is Becoming Critical

AI often pulls lists, infographics, videos, and product images into summaries. Well-labeled images and videos (with alt text, captions, and metadata) can surface in AI results.

 80% of consumers now rely on AI-written results for approximately 40% of their searches, reducing organic web traffic by 15% to 25%.

60% of searches now terminate without users clicking through to another website.  
*Source: Bain & Company

SEO isn’t dead — it’s evolving into visibility optimization across humans and AI.
You’re no longer just optimizing for a single search engine; you’re optimizing for a network of algorithms that decide whether your brand shows up in answers instead of just links.

Want the Step-by-Step SEO Plan for the AI Era so you stay visible even when GenAI takes clicks away? Click here.

Let’s build you a strategy that actually converts.

👉 Reach out to us to book a free strategy call, and let’s map out an ad plan built for results, not regrets. 

About the Author

Tanya Ganian is the founder of Point7digital.com, Shopify seller and sales expert, and author of The Ultimate Branding Workbook and 50 Marketing Strategies to Build Your Brand & Boost Sales. With over 18 years of experience in marketing and a background in psychology, she helps business owners build smart online strategies that increase visibility, attract aligned clients, and generate consistent sales—without the overwhelm.