Is SEO still relevant?

You may have heard the rumors swirling: "SEO is dead," "SEO is done," or "don’t waste your time in that." But let's set the record straight: in 2025, SEO isn’t just alive—it’s more vital than ever. Rather than fading away, SEO is transforming into a smarter, more expansive approach: think Search Everywhere Optimization. Here's why companies should care, and why it's a genius move to partner with an expert marketing agency.

1. SEO is thriving, not dying

The global SEO market is projected to reach $86.8 billion in 2025, with an average ROI of 5.3×, outperforming most other marketing channels.

According to Neil Patel, SEO remains the primary driver of over half of all website traffic, serving as a vital lifeline for digital visibility. This can also be explained by the fact that behaviors haven’t changed; 68% of online experiences still begin with a search, across Google, voice, and other platforms.

2. Search habits have expanded, so must SEO

People no longer search only on Google; they are looking on YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, voice search, and AI-powered answer engines. What needs to be done is to increase reach across platforms. For instance, Neil Patel urges brands to adopt "Search Everywhere Optimization", blending traditional SEO with social, marketplaces, and AI strategies.

3. The Rise of AI Requires Innovation: AEO & AI SEO

As search becomes AI-driven, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is emerging, optimizing content to appear in AI-generated answers (ChatGPT, SGE, Perplexity, etc.).

Traditional SEO alone may result in a 20–40% loss of organic traffic by 2026 if brands fail to adapt. Here, it is necessary to adapt content to different platforms, especially considering the ways people look for information on each one.

4. Grammar and Intent Are the New Keywords

Search engines now prioritize user intent and natural language. Think conversational “How do I…” rather than keyword stuffing (old-fashioned SEO). This shift means SEO must focus on creating high‑quality, helpful content that answers real user questions, and keeps up with E‑E‑A‑T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust).

5. Working with an agency maximizes results

A professional agency provides up-to-date expertise on AI, voice, and algorithm trends. They understand your business and can implement strategies for brand positioning. On the other hand, they have access to advanced SEO tools (e.g., Ahrefs, Semrush, Ubersuggest) that are powerful but costly for individual businesses. 

Many founders struggle with the dilemma of choosing agency vs in-house teams; however, bear in mind that building an in-house SEO team (~$200k–430k/year) is far more expensive than hiring an agency (~$36k–60k/year).

Proven results and strategic focus

A marketing agency streamlines tasks like keyword research, content creation, and backlink outreach faster, smarter, and with fewer missteps. Top agencies translate traffic into business. And in this competitive era, you need to capture the attention of your potential customers.

Why SEO still matters, even in 2025

SEO still matters in 2025 because it continues to deliver massive ROI, providing long-term value and outperforming paid channels. User behavior hasn’t changed, since people keep searching, not just on Google, but across multiple surfaces like YouTube, TikTok, voice assistants, AI engines, and even marketplaces. This platform diversity makes SEO more relevant than ever. 

At the same time, content quality plays a decisive role: helpful, intent-focused content is what wins both in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and traditional SEO. Finally, the strategic expertise that agencies bring, like scaling capabilities, advanced tools, and specialized know-how, ensures that businesses achieve results that DIY efforts often can’t match.

SEO Is Far from Dead

SEO remains essential, but you must evolve with the tools and latest trends. It's no longer about gaming search rankings; it’s about being discoverable everywhere, crafting authentic content aligned with user needs, and leveraging AI-savvy marketing partners.

If you're looking to thrive in this era of AI-powered search and multi-platform discovery, partnering with a skilled agency isn't just smart, it’s critical.