Regardless of what you may have heard, classic SEO is very much alive!

Let me be crystal clear:

SEO is more important than ever!

The fundamentals of search engine optimization—the same ones that have always helped your content rank—are now the foundation for AI search engines to understand, categorize, and surface your content in meaningful ways.

So, let’s break down exactly why classic SEO is still the backbone of AI search optimization and why you need to double down on these strategies.

1. AI Search Relies on Well-Structured Content

AI-driven search results don’t just list links anymore; they generate summaries, answers, and suggestions based on the content they crawl. If your content isn’t well-structured, clearly written, and optimized, it’s far less likely to be used in AI-generated responses.

Classic SEO techniques—clear headings, short paragraphs, bullet points, and well-placed keywords—help search engines (both traditional and AI-driven) quickly process and extract relevant information from your site.

2. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) Matters More

Google and AI search engines prioritize authoritative, credible sources. If your site lacks E-E-A-T signals—such as author bios, references, external links to reputable sources, and social proof—it won’t get pulled into AI-generated summaries or featured snippets.

Strong SEO practices like thorough fact-checking, authoritative citations, and well-written content bolster your E-E-A-T, making it easier for AI search engines to trust and use your content.

3. Keywords Still Guide AI’s Un...