AI has changed everything about how search works. In 2025, artificial intelligence — especially Google’s AI Overviews and platforms like ChatGPT, DeepAI, and Google Gemini AI — is redefining how content is surfaced, cited, and consumed. What once was a game of link-building and keywords has become a battle for visibility within AI answers. If your agency still measures success by blue link rankings, you’re behind.
Here’s what your agency must understand — and do — to win in this AI-first SEO era.
The Rise of Generative AI in Search
From 10 Blue Links to AI Answer Boxes
Search used to be simple: get ranked on page one, get clicks. But now, Google’s AI Overviews, part of its Search Generative Experience (SGE) powered by Google Gemini AI, appear in 20% of search results, up from just 7% in mid-2024. These AI-generated summaries pull data from various sources to provide complete answers — before a user ever clicks a link.
For agencies, this means ranking on page one might not even get you seen. AI answers are the new gatekeepers.
The Zero-Click Future is Already Here
Traffic Losses Are Real
The fears are no longer theoretical. Publishers and marketers are losing up to 79% of their organic traffic when AI Overviews dominate the SERP.
Reports from Bain indicate that 40% of all Google searches now end in a zero-click experience. Depending on the query type, AI answers can reduce organic traffic by 15–64%, according to recent case studies.
Agencies Must Now Optimize for Answer Engines
Rise of ChatGPT, Perplexity, DeepAI, and Others
Answer engines are now viable search competitors. ChatGPT launched its search engine in late 2024, and Perplexity already serves 15+ million users monthly. Tools like DeepAI are emerging as trusted AI assistants delivering fast, citation-backed answers. These platforms cite sources — offering a huge opportunity for agencies producing authoritative, well-structured content.
How to Do Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is not optional anymore. It’s the strategy of creating content designed to be used and cited by AI models — including Google’s AI Overviews, DeepAI, and Gemini-powered systems.
To do it right:
- Use natural language and focus on answering questions directly.
- Structure your content with headers (H2, H3), bullet points, tables, and lists.
- Apply schema markup (e.g., FAQPage, HowTo).
- Make content scannable and bite-sized.
- Demonstrate E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust.
Convert more visitors into customers.
Visual + Interactive AI Is the New Battleground
AI platforms, including those powered by Google Gemini AI, are starting to favor visual and interactive content. With “Try It On” tools and room visualizers being integrated into search, agencies must now consider how interactive assets play into their SEO strategy.
SEO Will Not Die — But It Must Evolve
SEO is no longer about chasing rank #1.
Today, SEO is about:
- Being referenced in AI answers
- Creating structured, high-E-E-A-T content
- Owning topical clusters and knowledge domains
- Ensuring content is machine-readable and user-friendly
Being included in platforms like DeepAI and appearing in Google Gemini AI answers is now a mark of authority.
Conclusion
The way people find information has changed forever.
SEO in 2025 is about Answer Engine Optimization and ensuring your content can be seen, cited, and trusted by AI — not just ranked by an algorithm.
For agencies, the new SEO playbook starts now:
- Master AEO
- Structure for AI
- Think beyond Google
- Create citation-worthy content
- Prepare for AI monetization
👉 Want to dive deeper into how generative AI is changing search and what it means for your agency’s future?
Read expert breakdown :
“Will Gen AI Kill Organic Search Traffic?” – by Oguz Sarkut on Medium