Why SEO Is Important (Even in the Age of AI)

Last Updated on July 14, 2025 by Becky Halls

Before you dismiss this article thinking you already know why SEO is important – it’s 2025 and telling someone why they need SEO feels a bit like telling someone they need Wi-Fi. We get it, it’s not exactly groundbreaking advice. BUT, with AI changing the way search engines think, we feel that right now SEO has never been more important – or more misunderstood.

So, fear not, this isn’t another dusty guide from 2012 telling you to stuff keywords into your footer. We’ve moved on, and we think that the new modern ways of doing SEO are a lot more interesting than the old ways. So why not follow along, and you may learn some new tips or updated ways of doing things! Here’s our practical, modern breakdown of why SEO is important right now, how it works in an AI-fuelled world, and what you can actually do about it.

What Is SEO, Really?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the art (and science) of getting your content to show up when someone types a question into Google, Bing, or even ChatGPT.

It’s how people find:

Your online store instead of Amazon
Your blog instead of Reddit
Your service instead of “some guy on Fiverr”

SEO helps search engines understand what your site is about, how trustworthy it is, and whether it deserves to be on page one or buried in the forgotten lands of page eight.

“Good SEO makes your business discoverable. Great SEO makes your business memorable.”
– Becky, Content Strategist @ 3way.social

Why SEO Is Important in 2025 (And Not Just for Techies)

SEO in 2025 isn’t just about rankings. It’s about visibility, credibility, and, thanks to AI, context. Here’s why it still matters, and maybe more than ever:

1. People Still Search (They Just Search Smarter)

AI may be answering questions faster, but people still search in staggering numbers. Over 8.5 billion searches happen on Google every day. And while AI Overviews are giving quick snippets, they’re still citing content from websites like yours.

If you’re not optimizing for search, your competitors are getting that visibility instead. Simple as that.

2. SEO Builds Long-Term Traffic (Unlike Social Media)

Organic traffic is the gift that keeps on giving. Unlike social posts, which disappear into the void after 48 hours, a well-optimized blog post or product page can pull traffic for months (or years).

One of our blog posts on long-tail keywords brought in consistent weekly visits for over 9 months—with zero paid promotion. That’s SEO in action.

3. Trust Is the New Currency

Search engines now care as much about trust signals as they do about keywords. That means:

Author credibility (E-E-A-T)
Brand mentions (linked or not)
Site security and user experience
Genuine engagement metrics

When someone finds your business via search, they’re already in “problem-solving mode.” Show up well, and you’re halfway to winning them over.

4. AI Has Changed the Game (But SEO Still Runs It)

With the rise of AI summaries and “Position Zero”, traditional organic clicks are down… but conversions? They’re up. Why?

Because users are better educated before they even land on your site.

AI scrapes top-ranking content to build summaries. If you’re in those summaries, you gain visibility without a click. If they do click, they’re warmer, more informed, and closer to converting.

“AI has turned SEO from a keyword game into a trust game. It’s no longer ‘How do I rank?’ but ‘How do I become the most reliable source?’”
– Ian, Founder @ 3way.social

SEO: What It Can Do for Your Business

Let’s look at tghe real things SEO can do… Here’s what proper SEO gives you:

Benefit	What It Means for You
🎯 Targeted Traffic	Attract people actually searching for what you offer
💼 Better Leads	SEO brings in users with intent—not random scrollers
💰 More Sales	Warm traffic + great content = higher conversions
🏗 Brand Credibility	Ranking high = perceived trust and authority
💸 Cost-Effective Growth	Compared to paid ads, SEO is your long-game investment

A man sitting with a large loudspeaker and social icons, buying guest posts after learning why SEO is important

Our Tips for Beginners: Start Smart, Not Stressy

If you’re just getting started, here’s what you don’t need:

A £3k/month SEO agency
A 50-page technical audit
A bunch of confusing tools

What you do need:

A clean website that loads fast and works on mobile
Clear content that solves actual problems
Keywords that real people search for (start with long-tail ones!)
Internal links and proper structure
A Google Search Console account (it’s free and super useful)

What Makes SEO Work in the Age of AI

If you’re building content in 2025, here’s what gives you an edge:

1. Optimize for “Answerability”

Structure your content so AI and Google can easily lift it into summaries:

Use H2s and H3s for questions
Bullet out answers where possible
Add a clear, short summary in the first 100 words

2. Don’t Just Say Stuff – Prove It!

Back up your claims with stats, case studies, and real examples. Google and AI love original content that feels trustworthy.

3. Build Authority Everywhere

Brand mentions (even without links) are now a ranking factor in AI summaries. Get your name out there:

Guest post on other sites
Get quoted in articles (like HARO or Featured)
Show up on social and search

4. Focus on Experience

Sites that look spammy or are hard to use get dinged. Want to rank? Keep your site:

Mobile-first
Easy to navigate
Full of actual value (not vague content or AI gibberish)

A Note from Us

At 3way.social, we’ve built businesses through organic SEO (and a lot of coffee-fuelled testing). We believe in ethical, smart, human-first SEO that works with AI, not against it.

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to succeed; you just need the right approach, the right tools, and a willingness to show up consistently.

TL;DR – Why SEO Is Important

✅ It builds visibility, trust, and long-term traffic
✅ It supports every part of your marketing funnel
✅ It’s evolving with AI—but not disappearing
✅ It’s your best shot at beating competitors who just post on Instagram and hope for the best

If you’ve got a business, SEO should be part of it. Simple.

FAQs: Why SEO Is Important

Is SEO still relevant in 2025?
Yes, and more than ever. Search behavior is changing due to AI, but SEO is evolving with it. It’s still how people (and AI tools) discover the best content and businesses.

Can I do SEO myself as a beginner?
Absolutely. Start small: focus on clean site structure, helpful content, and answering your audience’s questions. There are loads of free tools (like 3way.social) to help you get going.

How long does it take to see SEO results?
Expect to wait 3–6 months for meaningful impact. But unlike ads, SEO results grow over time and don’t stop when you stop paying.

Do I need to blog for SEO to work?
Not always, but blogging is a great way to build authority and target long-tail keywords. It also gives Google more to index from your site.

What’s changed about SEO because of AI?
AI has shifted the focus to trust, clarity, and structure. You now want to be cited in AI Overviews and summaries and not just rank in blue links.