AI & SEO: How to Prepare in 2025

By Caleb Mugendi – SaaSStratigix

By 2025, AI is not only impacting SEO—it is rewriting the rules. Search engines are changing, users change how they search and legacy playbooks have been supplanted by intent-based systems that favour topical breadth, authority, quality content and content experience. If you’re not sure how to keep the AI at bay in order to get the evergreen traffic you’re hoping for, that’s what this guide was made for 

Get More Search Traffic

No longer is the time of writing 500-word blog posts filled with keywords and hoping for traffic. Nowadays, AI rewards content that fulfills actual intent with experience. Search engines are adapting—and so must you.

AI Is an SEO Cheat Code (If You Know How to Use It)

AI tools can make SEO easier — or more wasteful — depending on how you use them. From keyword research to content strategy, AI can simplify data analysis, uncover content gaps, and scale output. But blindly using AI-written content without human context? That’s a trap. In the long run, it will hurt your site—not help it.

Helpful AI SEO Prompts

1.SEO Audit prompt 

•     “Please provide me SEO improvement tips for [insert your URL/Domain] . My industry is [insert industry], and my main goals are to grow traffic .

2. Content Strategy Prompt 

•  “My ideal customer is [insert ideal customer profile] , and I've already published blog posts on [insert topic] . What are some other strategic or tactical content ideas this audience would be interested in?

3. keyword research prompt 

• “Please give me keyword ideas based on the phrase [insert keyword ]. Now categorize them as informational , transactional ,or navigational “ 

4. Content refresh prompt

• “Please read [insert URLof existing blog post ] and rewrite the content to include anything that’s missing or outdated . keep the tone conversational and consistent with the original .”

5. Internal/External Linking prompt  

• “I’m writing a blog post on [insert topic] . Can you recommend relevant internal links from [insert your site URL]?”

• “Can you also suggest popular external articles I should consider citing in this post? ”

6. Conversion Optimization Prompt 

• “Please review this post : [insert product /service page URL ]. My goal is to increase conversions . What changes would you suggest  to improve the layout , copy , CTA , and overall user experience ? ”

LLMs Are Eating Search

Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Google's SGE now generate direct answers to search queries. This means fewer clicks, more 'zero-click searches,' and less visibility unless you're cited in the overview.

AI Overviews Are Featured Snippets on Steroids

Think of AI Overviews as dynamic featured snippets. If your content isn’t structured and cited well, it won’t make the cut. Structured data, TL;DR summaries, and clear headers now matter more than ever.

Build a Winning Strategy

It’s time to shift focus from just keywords to topics, expertise, and trust. Here’s how to future-proof your SEO.

Optimize for Google, But Prepare for the Future

SEO Still Works—Here’s the Proof

Websites with a content flywheel (like SaaSStratigix) that focus on clusters, internal linking, and topical authority are still ranking. But they’re not relying on Google alone.

1. Continue to Build Brand and Link Authority

Why Authority Matters More Than Ever

AI-generated responses pull from trusted sources. Backlinks from high-authority domains and mentions in niche publications can position you as one of them.

How to Build Authority for Google and LLMs

• Build deep topic clusters (e.g. SaaS CRO, SaaS content strategy)
  
  

• Use internal linking smartly
  
  

• Get earned media and high-quality backlinks
  
  

• Create author profiles with credentials (E-E-A-T)
  
  

2. Don’t Sweat Technical SEO “Errors”

Technical SEO Has Been Losing Importance for Years

Unless you're fixing something that's completely broken (e.g., crawlability), minor warnings aren't deal-breakers.

What Actually Matters in Technical SEO Today

• Page speed
  
  

• Mobile-first design
  
  

• Core Web Vitals
  
  

• Proper schema implementation
  
  

Where to Invest Instead

Focus on site structure, UX, and intent-matching content.

3. Topics and Audiences > Keywords

Search Is Moving Beyond Keywords

With AI summarizing results, your site needs to own a topic—not just rank for a phrase.

How to Research Topics in the AI Era

• Use customer data, sales calls, and forums to uncover pain points
  
  

• Map content to each stage of the buyer’s journey
  
  

• Build a topic cluster with a clear pillar-supporting structure
  
  

4. Scale Back Pure Informational Content

Why Pure Informational Content Is Becoming Obsolete

If AI can answer it in one paragraph, your traffic is toast ! Prioritize insight-rich, experience-backed content.

What to Do Instead

Create content that includes:

• Data or real-world examples
  
  

• Industry-specific use cases
  
  

• Step-by-step frameworks
  
  

• Contrarian opinions backed with logic
  
  

Future-Proofing Your Content Strategy

• Add FAQs, summary boxes, and TL;DRs
  
  

• Refresh old content to match evolving SERPs
  
  

• Use video and images for content depth
  
  

5. Diversify Your Traffic Sources

Why Diversification Is a No-Brainer

If you rely only on Google, a single update can kill your funnel.

How to Reduce Your Dependence on Google

Or what we like to call SEARCH EVERYWHERE OPTIMIZATION

• Repurpose blogs into LinkedIn carousels
  
  

• Create short-form videos for YouTube/Instagram
  
  

• Run an educational email series
  
  

• Build a community through Discord, Slack, or Reddit even Whatsapp
  
  

Conclusion

SEO in 2025 isn’t about hacks. It’s about clarity, authority, and AI-readiness. As LLMs continue to filter and summarize web content, topical depth and structured content ecosystems will decide who gets seen—and who gets skipped.