Do you still believe in SEO in 2025?
Is SEO dead in 2025?
Questions like these send waves across global startups, and they begin to contemplate if SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a reliable attribute that they should implement in their website ranking.
However, the story is different now. Slow and steady, startups are learning the relevance of SEO, and they have started hiring SEO professionals.
Search Engine Journal conducted a study in 2025 and found that global companies are adhering to modern SEO practices to become more successful.
Let’s read more about SEO playing an important role and how it has the potential to define a startup’s success.
SEO Bringing the Positive Evolution
Those companies that ignored SEO in their initial phases will be flabbergasted to know that startups that have invested in SEO strategies have achieved much faster growth.
This technique has the power to establish companies in the digital ecosystem and capture high-intent prospects actively searching for solutions over the internet.
Furthermore, with the right keyword, the company’s profile can rank highly over various search engines, which generates trust in users’ minds.
Rise of Artificial Intelligence’s Searches
The “search” button in several AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, has given users the power to find information from a single prompt.
Although these AI variants look for information on the internet, they show information that is already ranking higher on search engines.
In fact, many people now turn to AI tools to search for their queries and get answers.
Similarly, companies that are leveraging the latest AI SEO tools are experiencing a significant reduction in content generation time.
A Focus on Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics
With the introduction of Machine Learning (ML) and Predictive Analytics in the SEO ecosystem, companies can locate those algorithms that aid startups in predicting search trends and user behavior patterns.
Due to these techniques, companies can easily find the competitor’s strategies to see their progress and identify various types of content gaps to generate blogs or videos on those topics.
Implementation of Voice Search in SEO
In earlier days, users used to search by typing on the keyboard. However, the game has changed with the introduction of voice search. In fact, in 2025, it is observed that 20.5% queries are conducted through voice search
According to Google Play Store, it processes many of its searches via voice command. In fact, people have become so used to this technology that many of them have adopted this technique for searching.
Also, voice searches are longer than typed ones because a user can ask a larger query, such as “What is the best cloud storage available for small businesses?” rather than typing “cloud storage for small businesses.”
Furthermore, this provides more data to the user profile, which companies can later use for ad targeting.
It is also seen that page loading speed tends to improve when a user leverages voice search instead of typing, making the experience quicker.
SEO + Visual Search = Unmatched Possibilities
With the launch of Google Lens and Pinterest Labs, users are searching for content via images rather than text. The technique is simple: download the photo, upload it to Google Lens, and you will have all the relevant searches on the screen.
This type of search helps those startups that exist in e-commerce and visually heavy industries. Furthermore, visual search brings more traffic and conversions to these companies.
However, here is a trick: if organizations want to rank their images higher in Google Lens or searches, they should provide descriptive file names and alt text.
SEO with Augmented Reality Technology
Who would have thought that people could search via glasses or equipment on their eyes? Famous AR products, such as Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3, XR Headset, and more, have changed how people search the internet.
They can type via their eyes by opening a keypad, or start the voice search and see the products in a 3D version.
Due to this, companies have noticed a reduction in their application downloads because users can view every detail on the screen.
A View on SEO Practices
It is easy to say that “SEO is an easy job.” However, the truth is that it is not. Every aspect needs to be properly followed to rank the website higher on various search engines.
Let’s see which are the important factors that exist in this ecosystem.
- Usage of Core Web Vitals
It is seen that the websites that have passed the Core Web Vitals have more chances to rank on Google as compared to those that keep themselves away from this strategy.
In fact, only a limited number of websites pass Google’s Core Web Vitals assessment. That’s why those websites receive higher traffic and better conversion rates. Websites that meet all the Core Web Vitals standards also experience stronger user engagement.
- Focus on Implementation Priorities
Certain parameters have to be followed to pass the Core Web Vitals scores. One of them is Loading Performance, which focuses on achieving the best page loading speed through image optimization and server response times.
Following this, organizations can focus on Interaction to Next Paint (INP), which ensures smoother and more responsive user interactions.
The next part belongs to Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). As per SEO standards, keeping this stable helps prevent visual instability that can frustrate users and negatively affect conversion rates.
E-E-A-T: The Foundation of SEO
Google introduced the E-E-A-T framework (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) concepts in SEO, and suddenly, it became a benchmark for other companies to follow.
Now, the content that follows each guideline of E-E-A-T gets awarded by the search engines, and it can rank much higher in their industry.
In order to achieve the higher E-E-A-T, companies should post high-quality content that provides more value to the readers. This content can include case studies showing the prior work, original research, discussions of higher management, and more.
The Future of SEO Ecosystem
SEO has evolved over a long time, and it will continue to do so. As of now, AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, have captured the largest market share.
Therefore, the SEO department needs to understand that they should rank higher on search engines, but now they should also work on AI SEO to rank better when AI tools provide an answer to a user.
That is why Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) has taken place instead of traditional SEO.
The Endnote
SEO is not going anywhere in the future as it is a vital part for search engines. If SEO goes away, how will websites rank on search engines and help in conversions?
But it can evolve into different phases, such as Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), which is in the trend, or voice search plays an important part in finding products online.
The best part is to hire a person who understands this ecosystem well and can push the website to a new level in the digital world.
Author Bio – Jigar Agrawal
Jigar Agrawal is a Digital Marketing Manager at eSparkBiz Technologies. He is passionate about anything related to Marketing and Trending Technologies. Wants to leverage the world of technology and Social Media where every day there is a chance of new possibilities as well as innovation.
