Part of Foundations: Understanding SEO and AI (Articles 1–5) in Launch and scale an SEO business using AI tools
Alright, let’s set the scene.
You’ve got this amazing online store (or blog, or portfolio, or meme site—no judgment). You’ve spent hours tinkering with your homepage, adding slick product pics, writing copy that’s equal parts clever and persuasive. You post it proudly. You sit back. You wait…
And nothing happens.
No clicks. No sales. Not even your mom shows up (rude).
You’ve just met the harsh reality of the internet jungle: if Google can’t find you, nobody else will either.
Which brings us to our not-so-secret weapon: SEO.
🤔 So Wait… What Is SEO, Really?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. That’s just a fancy way of saying: “Make your stuff easier for people (and Google) to find.”
Still confused? Totally normal.
Let’s break it down. Imagine your website is a tiny bakery tucked in a massive city. SEO is the signpost on the street corner. It’s the smell of fresh bread wafting into the alley. It’s someone raving about your muffins on TikTok. It’s the GPS pin that gets folks to your door.
No SEO = your site’s invisible.
Good SEO = your site’s the one people click first.
🚨 But It’s 2025 — Isn’t SEO Dead?
Oh, sweet summer child. People have been asking this question since the dial-up days.
But here’s the truth (grab a pen if you’re a note-taker):
SEO never dies. It just evolves.
Yes, AI is changing the game. Google’s search engine is smarter, sassier, and sometimes answers questions before anyone even clicks a link (rude again). But here’s the kicker — those AI-powered answers? Still pulled from the web. Still need well-optimized content behind them.
You want AI to quote you, not someone else.
🧠 So, What Does SEO Look Like in 2025?
Let’s play time traveler. Here are a few of the big shifts and why they matter:
- AI Search Is King (But Content Is Still Queen)
Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT-style search bars, voice assistants — they’re doing more of the thinking for users.
But guess what? They still pull data from well-optimized pages.
If your content is clear, relevant, well-structured, and answers actual questions? You’ll rank.
Real Talk Tip: Write like a person. Not a robot. Not a keyword-stuffed listicle. You’re talking to humans, even if AI is the middleman.
- Search Is Everywhere Now (Not Just Google)
Back in the day, SEO was all “Google, Google, Google.” Now?
- People search on TikTok (“Best vegan lip balm 2025”)
- They ask ChatGPT (“Where can I buy sustainable home office furniture?”)
- They use YouTube, Pinterest, even Reddit to find what they need
That means your SEO strategy? It better include more than blog posts.
Optimize your videos, your alt text, your product descriptions, and even your social captions. Treat every platform like a search engine.
- Keywords Still Matter (Just Not Like They Used To)
Keywords aren’t dead — they’ve just matured.
Instead of stuffing your content with “buy sneakers online 2025” fifty times, focus on natural language. Think of how someone might actually talk to a search engine or assistant.
“What are the most comfortable sneakers for standing all day in summer?”
Write that. That’s the money.
🧪 A Real-Life SEO Moment (AKA Story Time)
Back in 2023, I helped a friend launch a handmade soap brand. She wanted to call her lavender bar something cute like “Evening Breeze.” I asked her:
“Would you ever Google ‘Evening Breeze soap’?”
She paused. “…No. I’d probably type ‘lavender soap for sensitive skin.’”
Boom. That became her product title — and traffic jumped by 200% in a month.
Lesson? Write for search, not ego.
🧰 How AI Tools Make SEO Way Easier in 2025
Now, let’s get into the cool part: You don’t have to do this all manually anymore.
Here’s how AI is making SEO less of a headache:
- Keyword research: Tools like Surfer SEO, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest with AI baked in show you what people are actually searching for.
- Content generation: Yep, AI can help you draft SEO-friendly product pages, FAQs, and blogs. (But don’t let it write without you—AI needs a boss, not a leash.)
- Site audits: AI-powered tools like Screaming Frog or Semrush can flag broken links, slow pages, and other issues faster than you can say “why is my bounce rate 90%?”
Pro Tip: Combine AI with your gut. Let it suggest — but you decide.
😅 Common Beginner Mistakes (And How Not to Make Them)
- Writing for Google, not people
→ If it’s unreadable, it won’t rank. Period. - Ignoring page speed and mobile-friendliness
→ If your site takes 5 seconds to load, users are already gone. - Only caring about traffic, not who is coming
→ 100 visitors who bounce? Meh. 10 who buy? Gold. - Thinking SEO is a one-time project
→ It’s a habit. Like flossing. Only less annoying.
💬 Let’s Get Real: SEO Can Feel… A Lot
Totally hear you. When you’re new, it’s like trying to learn how to cook, speak French, and juggle knives at the same time.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to be an SEO wizard to win.
You just need to:
- Understand your audience
- Write content that helps them
- Use the right words in the right places
- Let AI tools lighten the load
And keep showing up.
✨ Final Words from Someone Who’s Been There
SEO isn’t just about rankings. It’s about connection. It’s how people who need what you’re offering find you, trust you, and eventually buy from you.
So don’t let the jargon or ever-changing algorithms scare you off.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.
And hey—if you ever feel stuck, just ask yourself:
“If I were searching for my product/service/blog, what would I type?”
Start there. That’s SEO.
👉 Up Next in the Course:
“Hands-On SEO: Using AI to Build a Keyword Strategy (Without Losing Your Mind)”