The Rise of AI Search and the Decline of SEO for Website Ranking

CREATED BY STEFFI LEWIS Published: 18/07/2025 @ 09:00AM #RiseOfAISearch #AIRevolution #SEOevolution #DigitalLandscapeShift #OptimizingForAI

As AI search becomes increasingly popular, traditional SEO methods are struggling. Many companies report substantial decreases in web traffic because users now prefer asking AI directly. Adopting strategies that cater to AI search is crucial for maintaining visibility in the rapidly evolving digital landscape ...

The rise of AI search, Unleashing knowledge, page views decline

As we embark on this new phase of digital interaction, the rise of AI search is fundamentally changing the landscape of how we discover information online. Gone are the days when optimising for SEO alone could guarantee visibility for your webpages. Now, AI-driven search engines can provide users with rapid answers.

This is reshaping the very fabric of user
engagement on the web!

Several notable companies have already experienced substantial drops in page views due to AI search. For instance, StackOverflow has reported a staggering 50% decline in traffic as users shift to querying AI directly for coding questions. Similarly, Yelp has experienced a 36% drop, while TripAdvisor notes a 28% decrease in visitors. Other companies, including Pinterest (22%) and Quora (15%), are also feeling the impact. This suggests a significant trend where users prefer the immediacy of AI answers over sifting through multiple sources.

And I am a perfect example of the cause of this decline. Before ChatGPT was able to code, I spent years using StackOverflow, searching endless discussions for JavaScript code I could use on the frontend of my SaaS products. Now, I just tell ChatGPT what I want, it creates it, then we reiterate together until it works as I want it to.

What's truly fascinates is that some AI's does provide links to where it found the answer, users often skip the click-through altogether, simply because their question was answered and their mind moves onto other things.

This trend underscores a critical shift in how we access information: rather than browsing websites, users are inclined to take the AI's word as gospel, moving straight to the answer. The behaviour change indicates that many people now think of AI as theirprimarypoint of reference, rather than a search engine such as Google, which reduces web traffic and necessitates a rethink in how business owners optimisetheir online presence.

For website owners and content creators, adapting to this
change involves leveraging JSON-structured data!

This form of behind-the-scenes coding (which you don't see when you read the webpage, but is present nonetheless) enables AI to understand the content of your page better, making it more likely for your site to be featured in AI-generated responses. If we want our content to be recognised and retrieved by AI search, we need to adjust our strategies accordingly.

Here are my recommendations for improving your website's compatibility with AI search:

• Implement JSON-LD structured data on all relevant pages.
• Create clear, concise content that directly answers common queries.
• Utilise FAQ-rich snippets to enhance visibility.
• Ensure mobile optimisation for a better user experience.
• Develop high-quality backlinks to increase authority.
• Maintain page speed for quick loading times.
• Update old content to keep it relevant and accurate.
• Use user-friendly and descriptive headings (and tag them to H1, H2 and H3).
• Interlink related content to boost internal navigation (internal linking).
• Up your social media game by sharing blog posts and marketing messages daily.

As we embrace the rise of AI search, the need for innovative approaches to digital marketing has never been more pressing. It's clear that traditional SEO strategies are no longer sufficient on their own.

Instead, we must focus on what AI considers valuable content. Understanding the intricate workings of AI search will allow us to reposition our websites effectively, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of this digital revolution.

The rise of AI search necessitates a shift in our
approach to online visibility!

As algorithms and AI capabilities evolve, adapting our strategies will be paramount. By prioritising structured data and high-quality content, we can help our websites thrive, capturing the attention of both AI systems and users alike.

The relationship between information seekers and search engines has undergone a profound transformation, and embracing this shift is no longer an option.

It's essential for your survival.

Love, light & logic ...

STEFFI LEWIS
Independent UK SaaS Developer - Creator of YourPCM & sBlogIt!

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About Steffi Lewis ...
Based in the charming village of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire, UK, I bring over 30 years of experience in web development. From creating my first website for the Open University in 1993, through being part of the dot com boom, to my explorations in SaaS and AI over the last few years, my journey has been a rich tapestry of web projects, big and small, both funded and bootstrapped. Originally developed during the pandemic, at the start of 2025, I released the next iteration of YourPCM, version 2, which is all about 'Easy Contact Management for Small Business Owners'. Is it a CRM? Yes, but I don't call it that because people glaze over at the mention of such things. CRMs are boring, difficult to get to grips with, and it's a nightmare to get help when you need it.  YourPCM is none of those things! It's simple to use, well-supported, feature rich and beautiful, right out of the box. It's available on a simple monthly subscription with no long-term tie-in. Book a demo or grab your own 14-working-day free trial and discover why YourPCM is all about easy contact management for small business owners.  My head is in the cloud, my heart belongs to the web, and my soul is filled with such beautiful code 💗

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