In a time of rapid technological evolution, with the rise and growing dominance of AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT, Bing AI, Perplexity, and Grok, you might be asking yourself: Does SEO (Search Engine Optimization) still matter? Has “SEO died”?
Absolutely not! Experts agree: SEO is not disappearing—in fact, it’s becoming more crucial than ever, unlocking new opportunities. As long as people need information, search engines will exist, and so will the need to optimize for them.
1. AI & the Shift in Search Behavior
User search habits are changing. Your customers are no longer just searching via traditional Google or Bing—they’re directly asking AI tools “based on your prompt.”
- AI is Still Search—Just with a Different Interface: Though results come in a conversational format, AI tools still function as search engines. What differs is how they deliver answers, using dialogue to better understand intent.
2. Why Traditional SEO Still Matters
Even as AI search tools grow, Google and Bing remain dominant for many specific queries:
- Search intent diversity: Not all queries are ideal for chatbots. For tasks like video tutorials, local business searches, or product comparisons, traditional search engines like Google often perform better. For instance, searching “how to tie a tie” on Google yields prioritized video results—showcasing its flexibility and responsiveness.
- Google’s display value: The way Google structures its results (video, images, articles) reveals what it considers most important. Understanding this helps guide your content optimization.
3. AI “Bias”: A New SEO Opportunity
AI tools have certain “biases” toward the sources they favor. This opens up new paths for multi-channel SEO strategies:
- Grok: Owned by X (Twitter), Grok tends to favor posts and threads from the platform, in addition to traditional websites. Strong Twitter content boosts your visibility.
- ChatGPT: There is a strong link between Bing rankings and brand citations in ChatGPT, as Microsoft owns both Bing and OpenAI.
- Perplexity: Prioritizes YouTube and Reddit as key sources.
- Multi-source awareness: AI tools don’t rely solely on websites. They gather data from platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit.
This means you must optimize your content across all relevant platforms. AI doesn’t generate facts from thin air; it crawls the web for valid sources. So, having well-structured, query-relevant content is key to being cited.
4. Foundational Factors for Traditional & AI Search Optimization
To rank well on Google, Bing, and also be cited by AI tools, focus on these SEO pillars:
- Page Speed Optimization: A fast-loading site not only improves user experience but is a key ranking factor for search engines.
- High-Quality Content & Topical Authority:Topical Authority refers to your website’s depth of expertise in a specific subject area.
- Publish high-quality, well-structured content with strong visuals, clear headings, internal and external links.
- Building this authority helps AI tools find and cite your content while boosting rankings on Google/Bing.
- User Experience (UX): A user-friendly website with clean navigation, logical internal linking, and fast performance keeps users engaged and encourages repeat visits.
- Multi-Channel Content Strategy & Automation:
- Optimize for Bing to increase your chances of being cited by ChatGPT.
- Share tailored posts across LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook to expand your brand presence and take advantage of AI content sourcing patterns (e.g., Grok prioritizes Twitter).
- Traditional SEO elements (on-page, off-page, technical) remain foundational for AI search relevance.
Solution: How to Grow in the AI Era
If your website isn’t properly optimized, you’re missing thousands of potential visits from both traditional and AI-powered search. At RIKSOFT, we understand that modern SEO is no longer just about Google. Our comprehensive strategies help your business rank high on Google, Bing, and get cited by AI tools like ChatGPT.
RIKSOFT offers specialized services to help you:
- Boost website speed, ensuring your pages load quickly for better Google ranking and user retention.
- Optimize content structure & build Topical Authority, making your content easy to rank and attractive for AI citation.
- Structure your site for AI tools to find and recommend your brand in search results.
- Enhance UX/UI, creating a modern, smooth, and professional web experience that improves engagement.
- Automate & scale multi-channel distribution, from keyword research and content creation to publishing on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook—improving visibility and tapping into AI platform preferences.
Don’t let your business fall behind in this new era of search. Let RIKSOFT help you grow your presence and lead across every platform—from Google and Bing to ChatGPT and beyond.
📩 Message RIKSOFT today for a FREE consultation and start your journey to dominating both traditional and AI-powered search!