Is Traditional SEO Becoming Obsolete?

Posted on July 23, 2025
Source: moz (en-US). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Navigating SEO and AI Search: Expert Insights on Modern Strategies

SEO is evolving with AI and multi-channel visibility becoming critical for success. Traditional tactics alone no longer guarantee rankings; brand authority and unique, high-quality content now drive results. Leveraging platforms like Reddit and optimizing for LLMs requires specificity and genuine engagement. Measuring success involves tracking brand mentions, AI bot interactions, and tailored content strategies aligned with user behavior.

Optimixed’s Overview: How SEO Adapts to an AI-Driven and Multi-Platform Search Landscape

Understanding the Shift from Traditional SEO to AI-Enhanced Search

Search behavior is no longer limited to Google; users rely on diverse platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and TripAdvisor to inform their decisions. While core SEO fundamentals remain relevant, the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI-powered search demands a new approach that blends conversational content with brand clarity and multi-channel presence.

Key Expert Perspectives on Modern SEO Challenges and Opportunities

  • Ryan Law (Ahrefs): Focus on original, insightful content that goes beyond keyword stuffing. Invest in research and produce material that establishes your brand as a primary source rather than a derivative voice.
  • Crystal Carter (Wix): Emphasizes the importance of structured data and entity clarity to enhance visibility in AI search results. Specificity in describing brand attributes and services helps LLMs correctly associate your content.
  • Tom Capper (Moz): Notes that traditional SEO tactics have been insufficient since 2018; building brand authority and customer relationships is essential to rank competitively today.
  • Luke Carthy (E-commerce Consultant): Advises decoupling traffic from revenue metrics by tailoring content and offers to platform-specific audiences, such as Reddit or TikTok, to improve conversion rates.

Practical Recommendations for SEO in an AI-First World

  • Identify where your audience spends time and consistently engage with tailored, high-quality content on those channels.
  • Use schema markup and maintain distinct entity signals to improve AI search recognition and SERP prominence.
  • Become an authentic contributor on community platforms like Reddit instead of merely promoting your brand.
  • Measure success beyond clicks by tracking brand mentions, citation accuracy, and AI bot traffic to understand your evolving visibility.
  • Optimize product pages not only on your website but also across emerging social commerce platforms to capture diverse buying behaviors.
  • Continuously audit your customer journey for friction points and streamline the purchasing experience, especially on mobile.

Looking Ahead: Embracing AI Agents and Social Commerce

Experts see exciting potential in AI agents that replicate brand voice and assist customers throughout their journey, particularly in B2B settings. Additionally, the explosive growth of social shopping and live commerce signals a shift where AI-driven recommendations and platform-native sales will be critical. Marketers must prepare by expanding beyond traditional search and focusing on integrated, user-centric strategies.