The State Of SEO for 2025

The State of SEO in 2025 Image

In this article, I will discuss the state of Search Engine Optimization for 2025. You will learn about the biggest changes to the SEO landscape in 2024 to help you understand how to best optimize a website for search rank in 2025. SEO has changed a lot over the years, but 2024 caused a shakeup we have not seen before. I spend a lot of time on SEO forums and Reddit. I keep on top of all the changes as best I can. It’s been a rough year for many website owners, especially affiliate websites that rely on traffic for revenue. But even many local businesses have been affected by the changes to Google’s Algorithm. Hopefully after reading this article, you will have a better understanding and some actionable steps on how to begin to recover your rankings and traffic.

 

Changes in the SERPs and SEO Trends

Have you noticed how bad the search results have gotten over the last year? If you have, you’re not the only one. Complaints about how the SERPs work aren’t from business owners and SEOs, but from regular folks unhappy with the search results they’re seeing. Updates like the Helpful Content Update were supposed to create a better search experience. However, many users find the results are much worse than before HCU. Websites that didn’t experience a drop in search positions see lower organic traffic due to the first page of search results being filled with more ads, sometimes up to 4 map pack results, and AI answers. These push the top organic rankings down which can lower traffic substantially.

 

The rise of Reddit and Quora in the SERPs

One huge change is that Google shows Reddit and Quora posts in search queries. This changes the SERPs a lot. It used to be that if you wanted to search on Google for a post on Reddit you had to add Reddit in the search query. For example, “Best men’s winter jacket Reddit”. The front page of search results is limited. By adding Reddit to the default algorithm many sites and articles got pushed down in the SERPs. It’s hard to beat the authority of Reddit. But this comes at a cost. Often the Reddit and Quora posts that come up on the first page of a search are either old or have very few comments leading to a poor user experience.

 

The Google Core Updates

Google Core Updates are significant changes to Google’s search algorithms and systems. These updates aim to improve the relevance and quality of search results by refining how Google evaluates and ranks content. Unlike smaller algorithm tweaks, Core Updates affect a broad range of websites, often leading to noticeable changes in search rankings. They focus on enhancing the user experience by rewarding high-quality, helpful content.

Websites impacted by Core Updates may experience fluctuations in their rankings, either positively or negatively. These changes aren’t penalties but adjustments to better align search results with user intent. Websites that perform well typically have strong E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), high-quality content, and a positive user experience.

To adapt to Core Updates, focus on creating valuable, well-structured content that addresses users’ needs. Regularly audit your site for technical issues, ensure it’s mobile-friendly, and prioritize fast loading speeds. Understanding Core Updates and optimizing for quality over shortcuts helps maintain and improve your website’s visibility in search rankings.

 

March 2024 Google Core Update

In March 2024, Google implemented a significant core update to enhance the quality of its SERP results. This update focused on reducing low-quality, unoriginal content by approximately 40%, surpassing initial expectations.

The update refined Google’s ranking systems to identify and demote content that lacked originality or was created primarily to manipulate search rankings. This initiative was part of Google’s ongoing efforts to prioritize helpful and reliable information for users.

The March 2024 core update also introduced new spam policies targeting manipulative practices. These policies addressed issues such as scaled content abuse, where automation was used to generate low-quality content at scale, and site reputation abuse, where subpar content was hosted on reputable domains to exploit their authority.

By implementing these measures, Google aimed to diminish the presence of spam and enhance the overall user experience in search results.

 

August 2024 Google Core Update

In August 2024, Google released a core update to enhance the quality of its results. This update aimed to promote content users find genuinely useful and reduce the visibility of material created solely to perform well in search rankings.

The update also considered creator feedback, focusing on showcasing high-quality content from diverse sources, including smaller, independent websites.

The rollout of the August 2024 core update began on August 15 and concluded on September 3, spanning 19 days.

During this period, some websites experienced significant changes in their search rankings. Notably, sites previously affected by the September 2023 helpful content update observed improvements, though not full recoveries.

This update underscored Google’s commitment to refining its algorithms to serve users with relevant, high-quality information.

 

November 2024 Google Core Update

On November 11, 2024, Google initiated its latest core algorithm update, aiming to enhance the quality of results by prioritizing genuinely useful content over material designed solely to perform well in Google rankings.

This global update affects all regions and languages, with the rollout expected to be completed within two weeks.

Website owners may observe fluctuations in rankings and search traffic during this period. Google advises monitoring these changes and focusing on creating high-quality, user-centric content. Recovery from ranking declines may take several months, as Google’s systems reassess and validate improvements. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-rolls-out-november-2024-core-algorithm-update/532364

Staying informed about such updates and adhering to Google’s guidelines can help maintain or improve a site’s visibility in search results.

 

Core Web Vitals

Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics designed to measure the user experience on a website. These metrics focus on three key aspects: loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability. The primary indicators are Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which measures loading speed, First Input Delay (FID), which tracks interactivity, and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which assesses visual stability. These metrics help ensure that websites are fast, responsive, and provide a smooth user experience.

Web Core Vitals are essential for search rankings because they directly influence user satisfaction. Search engines, like Google, prioritize delivering high-quality results to users. Pages that perform well on these metrics are more likely to rank higher because they provide a seamless experience. Poor performance can lead to higher bounce rates and lower engagement, signaling to search engines that the content is less valuable.

Improving Web Core Vitals benefits both users and website owners. Faster loading times reduce frustration, while stable layouts build trust. Meeting these standards enhances search visibility and increases the likelihood of retaining visitors, making these metrics a crucial part of modern web optimization strategies.

Google PageSpeed Insights evaluates websites using four key categories to identify areas for improvement and optimize user experience. These categories are:

 

Performance

  • Measures loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability.
  • Focuses on metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
  • Helps identify issues that slow down page rendering and affect user experience.

Accessibility

  • Assesses how well content can be accessed by users, including those with disabilities.
  • Evaluates features like alt text, proper heading structure, and color contrast.
  • Promotes inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards.

Best Practices

  • Reviews overall website functionality and security.
  • Flags issues like outdated libraries, HTTPS usage, and unsafe external resources.
  • Encourages adherence to modern web development standards.

SEO

  • Analyzes factors that influence search engine visibility.
  • Covers metadata, mobile-friendliness, and structured data implementation.
  • Enhances discoverability and ranking potential in the SERPs.

Together these aspects provide a comprehensive view of a website’s quality, helping developers improve performance, usability, and search engine presence.

 

Helpful Content Update

Google’s Helpful Content Update, introduced in September 2023, aims to prioritize content that is original, helpful, and created primarily for people rather than search engines. This update encourages creators to produce content that provides substantial value, such as original reporting, comprehensive descriptions, and insightful analysis. It also emphasizes the importance of clear sourcing, evidence of expertise, and a satisfying user experience.

The update has significantly impacted independent blogs and niche content websites. Many bloggers who previously ranked well for specific queries have experienced declines in search visibility, with results now favoring larger corporate media outlets and high-authority websites. This shift suggests that Google’s algorithms are placing greater emphasis on established authority and perceived expertise, potentially at the expense of independent voices.

To adapt to these changes and write content that is helpful according to Google’s HCU documentation, content creators should focus on demonstrating first-hand expertise, providing substantial additional value, and ensuring their content meets the needs of their intended audience. By aligning with Google’s emphasis on helpful, reliable, and people-first content, creators can improve their chances of maintaining or enhancing their search rankings.

 

 

5 Ways to Recover from the Helpful Content Update

  1. Prioritize People-First Content
    Focus on creating content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. Avoid keyword stuffing or writing solely to rank for search terms. Instead, aim to provide practical, in-depth, and clear information that users find genuinely valuable.
  2. Showcase Expertise and Authority
    Demonstrate your knowledge and experience in your niche. Include original insights, examples, and data to distinguish your content. Highlight credentials or first-hand experience where applicable, as this reinforces credibility and trustworthiness.
  3. Audit and Update Existing Content
    Review older posts to ensure they meet the new standards of usefulness and relevance. Remove outdated content or combine similar posts into a comprehensive guide. This process helps reduce redundant or low-value pages, which could negatively affect rankings.
  4. Engage with User Feedback
    Monitor comments, reviews, and analytics to identify what resonates most with your audience. Address gaps or confusion highlighted by users, and refine your content to meet their expectations. Responding to feedback signals that you prioritize user satisfaction.
  5. Avoid Relying on AI-Generated Content
    While AI can assist with content creation, relying entirely on it can lead to generic or superficial results. Add a personal touch and ensure your content provides unique insights or information not easily found elsewhere. This differentiation aligns with Google’s goal of rewarding originality.

By adopting these strategies, content creators can align with the Helpful Content Update’s guidelines and improve both user engagement and search performance.

 

The role of AI in SERPs

AI is transforming Google results by enhancing how information is retrieved, ranked, and presented. Advanced algorithms like Google’s MUM (Multitask Unified Model) and BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) enable the search engine to understand natural language queries more accurately. This allows users to search in more conversational ways and receive contextually relevant results. For instance, AI tools can interpret the intent behind ambiguous or complex queries, providing more precise and tailored responses.

AI is also changing how search query results are displayed. Features like AI-generated summaries, rich snippets, and direct answers in the Search Generative Experience (SGE) aim to provide users with immediate, actionable information. These features reduce the need for users to click through multiple pages, prioritizing direct solutions over traditional blue links. While this improves convenience for users, it has also sparked concerns among website owners about decreased traffic as more answers are delivered directly on Google’s platform.

The integration of AI in search is reshaping SEO practices. Content creators and businesses now need to prioritize user-centric content that aligns with AI’s understanding of quality and relevance. AI can identify patterns in user behavior and preferences, influencing how rankings are determined. This shift challenges creators to focus on expertise, originality, and authority while ensuring their content is optimized for voice search and other emerging search modalities. As AI continues to evolve, its role in search will likely expand, emphasizing efficiency and accuracy in delivering information.

 

Search Engine Marketing

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a digital marketing strategy to promote websites by increasing their visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). It primarily involves paid advertising methods, where businesses bid on specific keywords to display their ads prominently in search results. These ads often appear at the top or bottom of the SERPs and are labeled as sponsored content.

SEM typically uses platforms like Google Ads and Bing Ads. Advertisers create campaigns targeting keywords relevant to their products or services, ensuring their ads appear when users search for those terms. SEM campaigns operate on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning businesses pay only when users click on their ads. This approach allows businesses to attract potential customers actively searching for related solutions, making SEM an effective tool for driving targeted traffic.

The success of SEM relies on careful planning, including keyword research, ad copywriting, and continuous campaign optimization based on performance data. Combining SEM with organic search engine optimization (SEO) strategies can enhance a business’s online presence and help achieve long-term marketing goals. The more places you appear in the search results page the better. Using Google Ads in conjunction with SEO can help increase brand awareness. It’s also a great way to start getting conversions while SEO is being worked on.

Tip: Google Ads can be a great way to test certain keywords for your organic SEO efforts. 

 

Conversion Rate Optimization

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is the process of improving a website or landing page to increase the percentage of visitors who complete a desired action. These actions, known as conversions, can include purchases, form submissions, sign-ups, or any other goal relevant to the business. CRO focuses on enhancing the user experience, design, and content to guide visitors seamlessly through the conversion process.

The CRO process begins with analyzing user behavior to identify barriers preventing conversions. Tools like heatmaps, user recordings, and A/B testing help uncover issues such as unclear calls-to-action (CTAs), slow page load times, weak messaging, or distracting elements. Once identified, changes are implemented to test their impact, allowing marketers to refine strategies based on data-driven insights.

Effective CRO boosts conversions and maximizes the return on investment (ROI) from existing traffic so it goes hand and hand with SEO. By optimizing the website for better performance, businesses can achieve more results without increasing marketing spend, making it a cost-efficient strategy for growth.

 

Effective strategies to stay ahead in the current SEO landscape

 

Direct Answers and Relevant Content

Gone are the days of cranking out content specifically to rank without considering the user. At best the articles might rank, but not well. At worst, you will discover these pages in your Google Search Console as Crawled, but not indexed. What does this mean? It means that Google crawled this page, and likely found it to be generic, and unoriginal and that it does not provide any new value for the searcher.

But there is a silver lining. To rank high on Google over the past 5 years you had to optimize aggressively. This made for content that was very unnatural and hard to read. How many times can you add a keyword without it reading poorly? The other issue was that word counts for articles went crazy. Everyone was trying to write more content than their competitor. This led to content that was not clear or concise. It led to content that dragged on and had a lot of text that was redundant or useless.

 

Advanced Schema Markup

Schema is a microdata that only appears on the backend of a website. There are 2 kinds of Schema, one is the generic Schema that SEO plugins like Yoast generate, and the other is the handwritten advanced schema. The Schema that SEO plugins create is useless. It is weak and doesn’t make use of the most powerful benefits of a well-written Schema.

Handwritten advanced Schema is something not a lot of SEOs utilize. It is time-consuming to write but it has many benefits. Schema Markup is a way to differentiate your site and gives search engines a thorough understanding of what you do and what services you offer. There are many types of Schema; Organization, Local Business, Article, WebPage, FAQ, Author, and more. It is important to choose the right Schema types for each page and to optimize them well for the biggest results.

 

Entity Optimization

Entity optimization for SEO focuses on structuring content around specific topics or concepts to improve search engine understanding. Entities refer to distinct and identifiable items, such as people, places, or things, recognized by search engines. Entity optimization involves using clear language, precise terms, and structured data to establish context and relevance.

By including schema markup, relevant keywords, and semantic connections, you can signal the topic of your content more effectively. This helps search engines associate your page with specific entities, improving its visibility in search results. For instance, linking to authoritative sources and providing accurate information about an entity strengthens credibility and context.

To optimize, use tools like Google Knowledge Graph to identify how entities are represented online. Create comprehensive content that answers key questions related to the entity, integrates synonyms, and aligns with user intent. This approach enhances discoverability and positions your site as a reliable source for entity-related searches.

We have been utilizing entities for both Schema but also for internal linking anchor text. Using entities as the anchor text for internal links helps search engines understand the semantic relationships between pages and powers up your on-page SEO.

 

Increasing Brand Authority and Branded Search

Increasing your brand authority and awareness signals to search engines that your business is sought after. A branded search is when users search for you using your brand name. This is the difference between someone finding you when searching for a term like Cardiologist in (STATE) versus someone searching for the exact cardiologist’s name. Heading into 2025, branded searches are becoming more and more important. There is evidence that an increase in brand searches leads to higher ranking for keywords.

So how do you increase brand searches? There are 2 main ways. The first way is to utilize marketing and traditional marketing tactics that would lead to a visitor going on Google and searching for your brand name. An example of this is a billboard. You pass a billboard for a restaurant that looks good. If you’re interested in going out to dinner there you would likely search the business name and that is a brand search.

Another tactic for increasing brand searches is CTR manipulation. CTR manipulation uses software or real people to search your brand name and click on the link to your website. This tactic can harm your SEO if not done properly. If done correctly CTR manipulation can enhance your brand authority in search.

 

E-E-A-T

E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. These EEAT principles guide Google’s assessment of content quality. While not direct ranking factors, they influence how Google’s algorithms evaluate and rank web pages.

To enhance your website’s E-E-A-T:

  • Experience: Share firsthand insights and real-world examples to demonstrate practical knowledge.
  • Expertise: Ensure content is crafted by knowledgeable individuals, highlighting their credentials.
  • Authoritativeness: Earn recognition through quality backlinks and mentions from reputable sources.
  • Trustworthiness: Maintain transparency with clear author information, contact details, and a secure browsing environment.

You can improve your website’s perceived quality and reliability by focusing on EEAT.

 

Content Audit Content Refreshing and Content Pruning

The best practice with SEO is to audit your content periodically. I recommend doing a site content audit every 3-6 months. The first step is to go into Google Search Console, check under Pages, and ensure your pages are indexed. Note any pages or articles that are “Crawled, but not Indexed”. When Google places pages in this designation it means that Google crawled the webpage and decided it is not good enough to index. Next, check for pages with traffic and keywords dropping over time and pages that just never took off even though they are indexed. Make a list of all these URLs.

 

Content Refresh

Pages that have seen a decline in traffic and keyword positions or pages that never really took off need to be examined. Often you’ll find articles written in the past that ranked well but have been declining. These pages are great candidates for a content refresh. Update the content, add to it, and add your own newer insights. These are things Google loves.

 

Content Pruning

The look of horror I see in the faces of clients when I discuss content pruning is understandable. The first time I had to prune a bunch of my content it was painful. Content pruning is when you just delete the article. Often I will create a 301 redirect to a post that is the most topically relevant, especially if the post being deleted has backlinks. But occasionally it just gets deleted with no redirect if it is off-topic for the site goals. There are 2 criteria I use to determine if content should be pruned.

Tip: AI-generated content can end up being Crawled, but not indexed. Especially if you don’t edit it well or use good prompts.

 

Crawled, but not indexed

It’s important to take a deep look at any pages that end up here. Ignore image files, /feed/, and other random URLs, and look for only pages and articles. To be blunt, Google thinks these pages suck. The more pages you have here the more trouble you’re going to have ranking sitewide. It is a high priority to fix this. If a post is crawled but not indexed you have 2 choices, rewrite it better and request indexing or delete it. Don’t just resubmit it to be indexed without changing anything, while it might get reindexed it will likely get reindexed again quickly.

 

Is it topically relevant to your site?

If a page or post is very topically relevant then you may choose to just rewrite it. If a page or post is off-topic of the main focus of your website you should consider deleting it. So what is topically relevant and what’s not? It can vary a lot. If you have a website that is for a local plumbing company an article about how to fix a toilet clog at home would be topically relevant, but an article about the best in-home water filter would not be. If content does not align with the main topic of your website it can confuse Google. The traffic get from these articles won’t align with your true audience.

 

Backlinks

Backlinks are links to your website from another website. To succeed with SEO in 2025 it’s important to understand how Google has changed its algorithm regarding back links. Backlinks are important, and likely always will be. Google baked the importance of backlinks into the algorithm from the start. It is the foundation of Page Rank. The caveat is that the 2024 core updates did change the weight Google gives to backlinks, and it made Google come down harder on toxic, weak, or spam links. This means that link building has to shift to accommodate the change.

So what should your linkbuilding SEO strategy look like in 2025? Gone are the days of buying cheap links and ranking. Likn bulding should take a less is more approach in 2025. There are 3 criteria I use to determine if a link is good for a site or not.

Is the website topically relevant? I don’t mean a post category or the post itself being topically relevant, I mean the whole site. A guest post on a website that is all about Botox is a great place to get a link for a MediSpa, but a post about Botox on a mommy blog is much less topically relevant and won’t be as strong of a link.

How healthy is the website? A link from a website that gets low traffic, or even worse, a site that has seen a large drop in traffic is not going to be a good link. Site health and traffic are important moving forward. There are tons of sites that have a good domain authority but get near zero traffic. Avoid these sites.

How authoritative is the site? High authority links are the best to get. A backlink from a low-traffic website with a low DA/DR isn’t going to do much to move the needle. It may backfire and harm your site.

To break it down you want to work to get links from websites that are authoritative, that get traffic and have traffic increasing, and that are topically relevant to your niche.

 

Youtube SEO

YouTube videos can boost search rankings by serving as a high-visibility platform for valuable content. Videos on YouTube often appear prominently in Google search results, providing an opportunity to capture user attention. Video optimization such as titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords, businesses can increase their content’s chances of ranking higher for targeted search terms.

To maximize effectiveness, focus on creating informative and engaging videos that address common questions or solve problems related to your industry. Encourage viewer engagement through likes, comments, and shares, as these metrics signal relevance and quality to both YouTube’s and Google’s algorithms. Consistently publishing high-quality content can help build a loyal audience, enhancing your channel’s authority.

Link your videos to your website or blog, driving traffic and reinforcing your site’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Include compelling calls to action, directing viewers to explore related content. Integrating YouTube video strategy into your SEO efforts can expand your online presence and strengthen your overall ranking performance.

 

Social Media

Social media can significantly enhance website rankings by driving traffic and building brand visibility. Sharing engaging, high-quality content on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook encourages users to visit your website, boosting overall traffic. While social media signals aren’t direct ranking factors, the increased visits and interactions on your site improve its authority and relevance in Google’s eyes.

To maximize the impact, craft shareable posts that link to your website’s pages or blog articles. Use keywords in captions and hashtags to align with your SEO strategy. Engage with followers through comments and direct messages to build trust and foster relationships, which can lead to more shares and backlinks. These organic interactions strengthen your website’s presence online.

Collaborating with influencers and industry leaders can further amplify your content’s reach. When influencers share your website links with their audience, it creates opportunities for additional traffic and backlink generation. Combining targeted social media efforts with a solid SEO foundation enhances your website’s visibility and strengthens its search engine rankings.

 

10 Leading SEOs share some tactics they are implementing

 

1. Focus on Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust

Focusing on what search engines value most can sometimes feel like a juggling act, but keeping E-E-A-T at the center simplifies everything. Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness aren’t just buzzwords-they’re the foundation for creating content that earns trust and drives results. Google now looks closely at first-hand experience, rewarding content that demonstrates a true understanding of its audience’s needs.

In practice, this isn’t about cramming in keywords or sticking to the basics. It’s about building credibility through real-world insights. For example, when we reflect on our campaigns, we don’t just share the outcomes. We dive into the decisions behind them, the challenges we faced, the strategies we tested, and the lessons we carried forward. This approach ensures our content doesn’t just inform; it connects.

To stay competitive, you must take this a step further. Every blog post, video, or case study should answer one simple question: Does this prove we’ve been there and done that? People and search engines want the same thing-reliable, authentic content that stems from direct experience. When you create from that perspective, rankings stop being the goal and start becoming a byproduct of building real trust. That’s the shift we’ve embraced, and it’s made all the difference.

Jose Gallegos, VP of Marketing Campaigns, JAS Studios

 

 

2. Utilize Hyper-Specific Long-Tail Keywords

My focus is getting more specific. I’ve always been a fan of long-tail keywords for their ability to accommodate hyper-specific queries, but in 2025, I’m going even deeper. 

I use Reddit, FB groups, and other sources for questions that actual target audience members have. Then, I create content that features their perspectives. Specificity is a significant part of successful SEO in 2025 and beyond, so the content can’t provide generic advice – instead, it needs to be specific and backed by data.

This approach has proven to be very effective in 2024 (30-40% CTR increases), and I plan to double down on it in 2025. It also helps with AI SEO, where you can become a great source quoted in the responses.

Lana Rafaela Cindric, SEO & Content Manager, SiteGuru

 

3. Master Answer Engine Optimization for AIOs

SEOs need to quickly evolve and become adept at AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). We no longer optimize for search engines, let alone just one (i.e. Google). With more and more users favoring answer engines, we need to know how to serve information in a way that LLMs prefer and will use as a source in their answers.

LLMs (similar to search engines) need to be right. They need the data consistent from many sources. So, how do you then optimize for that?

Get your brand seen on as many other websites as you possibly can. Power up those. What does that mean? Get featured through journalist outreach, answering their queries in platforms like Featured, doing guest appearances in blogs and podcasts, and building tiered links to those so LLMs and search engines have an easy time finding all those brand mentions.

AIOs are right now taking the organic #1 spot in Google, so knowing how to appear there is massive. You can ask Gemini to review your existing blog content based on a prompt that asks the AI itself how to best structure it for large language models.

Feed AIs what they need, and they’ll use you as a source. 

As more and more end-users move to ask ChatGPT and other LLMs directly for most of their informational queries, you want to be there.

As more SERP real estate gets taken by AI Overviews, you want to be there.

Adapt and overcome.

Alejandro Meyerhans, CEO, Get Me Links

 

5. Prioritize Topical Authority for SEO

The sharp focus on delivering high-quality, user-centric content is something that SEO in 2024 demanded, and this trend will only grow in 2025. My top strategy for staying competitive is prioritizing topical authority. This means building a network of deeply researched, interconnected content that demonstrates expertise across your niche. Search engines now value not only individual keywords but the depth and relevance of your content within a specific area.

To execute this, start by identifying core topics your audience actively searches for and develop supporting articles that address every angle. Incorporate long-tail keywords naturally and ensure your site structure allows for seamless navigation between related topics. Pair this with regular updates to existing content to maintain its relevance and authority. This holistic approach helps search engines view your site as a trusted resource, driving consistent organic traffic.

Also, lean into AI-powered tools to refine your strategies. AI can analyze trends, identify gaps in your content, and enhance on-page SEO elements like meta descriptions and headers. The focus should remain on providing value to users answering their questions comprehensively and creating an experience that keeps them engaged. As competition intensifies, your ability to connect with your audience through targeted, authoritative content will define success.

Toni Marino, Director, Toni Marino SEO

 

6. Enhance User Experience and Optimize for Zero-Click

As we move into 2025, SEO continues to evolve, and staying competitive means adapting to new trends. To drive organic traffic, businesses should focus on three key areas: improving user experience, catering to AI content preferences, and optimizing for zero-click searches.

User experience remains important for rankings, with Google emphasizing page speed, mobile-friendliness, and visual stability. Make sure your site loads quickly, provides a smooth mobile experience, and has easy navigation. Reducing intrusive pop-ups and improving overall usability will also help boost rankings.

Catering to AI-driven content preferences is increasingly important. Rather than just writing content, it’s essential to structure it in ways that AI algorithms can understand and rank. Content should be relevant, well-researched, and designed to directly answer user intent. Optimizing for semantic relevance, using clear headers, and incorporating related keywords will make content more discoverable by AI-driven search engines.

Zero-click search optimization will grow in importance as featured snippets and rich results dominate search results. With the rise of voice and visual search, businesses must optimize for spoken queries and images. Using structured data improves your chances of appearing in these top spots without requiring a click.

Businesses that embrace future trends and optimize their content will have the best chance of staying ahead of the competition and continuing to drive meaningful organic traffic into 2025.

Eliza Arnfield, SEO Lead, Repeat Digital

 

7. Harness the Power of Semantic Search

Harnessing the power of semantic search is crucial for staying competitive in 2025. With search engines getting smarter at understanding context and intent, simply focusing on keywords won’t cut it anymore. It’s about creating content that reflects how real people think and talk. This means deeply understanding your audience’s needs and questions. Go beyond the surface-level queries and explore related concepts and terms that users might naturally associate with your topic.

Focusing on topic clusters can also give you an edge. Instead of writing isolated pieces of content, create interconnected articles around a central theme. This boosts the authority of your main page on that subject and enhances user engagement and crawlers’ understanding of your content’s depth. A well-organized cluster helps search engines see the connections and comprehensiveness of your material, improving your chances of ranking for more search queries.

Casey Meraz, Owner & Digital Marketing Expert, Casey Meraz

 

8. Gain Brand Mentions Through Journalist Requests

Brand mentions through journalist requests. Journalists need quotes or insights for their articles, and when you respond with something helpful, they often mention your brand-sometimes with a backlink. It’s a win-win: you help them create great content, and your brand gets noticed on high-authority sites. Over time, these mentions create a ripple effect, strengthening both your rankings and your reputation.

Scott Gabdullin, CEO and Founder, Authority Factors

 

9. Focus on the Bottom of Funnel Keywords

For 2025 we will focus a lot LESS on informative intent. As AI is taking over the world, it will also become the go-to source for every informative search. 

Google already shows you the answer to your question at the top of the search results and you don’t even click on the source anymore. So creating content to rank for a “how to” keyword, for example, won’t get you any traffic. It will only help Google’s AI bot. 

So, we will be doubling down on Bottom of Funnel (aka Commercial and Transactional) keywords in 2025.

Josien Nation, Co-Founder & Head of SEO, Operation Nation LLC

 

10. Remove Low-Value Pages for Quality Content

The newest changes in the algorithm have shifted the tides by valuing quality over quantity. The low-value pages have no place in 2025 and removing them can benefit your website. This was an expected response to the massive amount of generic low-value content being printed out using AI.

Therefore, my advice would be to remove the low-value pages and focus on quality content rather than the amount of content you generate.

Aleksa Filipovic, Content & SEO Manager, MeasureSchool

 

As you can see a lot has changed. SEO tactics need to constantly adapt to meet the everchanging Google algorithm. If we understand what Google is looking for we can create better content and SEO strategies that thrive. If you are experiencing a drop in traffic, or just want more traffic, contact us and we can discuss your SEO project.

Gabriel Bertolo

Gabriel Bertolo is a 3rd generation entrepreneur that founded Radiant Elephant 10 years ago after working for various ad and marketing agencies. He is also an award-winning Jazz/Funk drummer and composer as well as a visual artist. He has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Shopify, and MECLABS for his insights into marketing and SEO.