SEO Isn't Dead & I Have the Screenshot to Prove it
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
Take a drink every time someone says "AI". JK don't - you'd be falling off the barstool.
It's no secret that AI is the next latest and greatest thing. It's quickly becoming a great tool for search, and there's a whole new strategy in AEO (AI Search Optimization), but that doesn't mean SEO (Search Engine Optimization) - ya know, the typical Google search - is dead.
People assume that since everyone's asking ChatGPT for recommendations, all that time and money spent on SEO is wasted. But that is so far from the truth!
When in actuality, SEO is more necessary now than ever.
AN EXAMPLE FROM MY CLIENT...
I manage the website, SEO, and SEO for a local furniture sourcing business. They would be a prime candidate for local AI search results (in fact, we have a whole AEO strategy happening, and it's working great), but their bread and butter is STILL coming from Google search.
Take a look...
This data is from July 2026. It shows that:
403 people came from a direct search/typing in their url
310 people came from organic Google search
And fewer than 20 people came from an AI search
And yes, you could say, "well you just aren't showing up on AI search results, that's why the numbers are low." And it's true, they don't populate as much because we've been working on their SEO for YEARS, while their AEO strategy is new. BUT they ARE pulling up on AI search results, which is what this data is showing me, it's just showing me more results are still coming from good old-fashioned search.
THE PART PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE
AI isn't a separate game with different rules, it's just sources differently. It's the same game with a new player at the table.
The part people don't realize is that AI search tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude don't pull their answers out of thin air. AI reads the same results that Google delivers.
AI is much more likely to give you a business result that already has clear messaging, optimized content, strong branding, and is already pulling as a result on Google.
If your site is thin, not optimized, or confusing to crawl, then you're going to be invisible to both Google and AI.
Investing in SEO = Investing in AEO
SO, WHAT IS AEO?
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization. It's the strategy and execution of structuring your content so AI platforms pull your answers from it.
It's best for things like "Who would be the best furniture supplier in Utah?" whereas on Google, people would search more for "furniture supplier".
The businesses showing up on AEO search results are the ones that are answering the questions people are asking.
AEO is basically just another layer to the SEO puzzle.
THEY BOTH MATTER
Yes my client's results are low from AEO but that's not a sign that SEO matters more or AEO isn't working.
AEO is a small and growing slice of the overall search pie. The biggest slice still being traditional search.
Ignoring search right now because "AI is taking over" would mean I would have walked away from 300+ people who were searching for my client's business on Google!
WHAT I RECOMMEND
Now is the time to double down on SEO. And start carving out a piece of the pie for AEO.
Good SEO and good AEO come from the same source - a website that's built with structure, answers real questions, and is talking to Google (meta tags, title tags, alt text, etc).
When I build and optimize a site for a client, I'm not just thinking about ranking on page one of Google - now I want to make sure the content is answering questions that people may be looking for.
And honestly, I love that. It makes people build sites that are more meaningful and useful instead of just sites that are stuffed with the same keywords.
LET'S BUILD YOUR STRATEGY
If you've been putting off your SEO strategy because you weren't sure it was worth it. Or want to take a look at your current strategy to make sure you're hitting those AEO questions, now is definitely the time.
I will take a look at your site, tell you what's working, what's not, and come up with a plan of attack to start building your online visibility.
Let's get growing,
Michelle
Michelle Johnson is the owner and founder of Slow Burn Marketing Co. A boutique Utah-based marketing agency that helps other female-owned and operated businesses create beautiful websites that also work behind the scenes to get you found on the internet. Schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about Slow Burn Marketing Co.'s services.
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