Dear Novice Bloggers,
I’m sitting by the library window, clouds outside speckled with gray, struggling to find words. Learning SEO often feels just as unclear.
SEO Hasn’t Died; AI’s Emergence Made the Competition More Intense
When I try to learn SEO from AI-recommended blogs, I come across a post titled “Is SEO Dead?” (But I have to admit, that was a great one! ) as if the game were over before it even began.
Sometimes I feel that every time I enter a new field, I encounter questions like this. Am I the Grim Reaper? (That sounds a bit too self-important) But I always choose not to believe it. How optimistic an experientialist I am!
The rise of AI makes things convenient for us, but it also poses a challenge to traditional SEO. I find that I’ve contributed, perhaps unknowingly: whenever I search Google for questions (especially shallow ones that don’t require in-depth research), I often get the answer I want in the AI overview and move on, either reading or clicking further. I wonder if you all do the same—just aiming to get answers quickly?
There are times when the AI overview can’t satisfy me, and I have to open links one by one to seek answers. Large language models even proactively prompt me to search Google, saying my question is beyond their scope.atisfy me, and I have to open links one by one to seek answers. Large language models even proactively prompt me to search Google, saying my question is beyond their scope.
SEO vs AI: Just Want to Be Visible
Have you asked yourself why you want to engage with SEO? What benefits can SEO bring? I’m learning SEO not so that what I write on my blog sinks into the ocean, not so that I’m the sole reader of my own posts. Maybe I don’t write well at first, but continuing to write will make a difference. One day, I hope to be visible, and my content to be recognized. (I must believe this.)
To me, SEO and AI are like gears for conquering levels in a game; missing either one affects your odds of winning. To adapt to new trends, we need to shift from traditional SEO to GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), allowing us to be visible in both search results and AI-generated answers.
SEO Still Works But Needs Upgrading: Structured Data
For novice bloggers, building on SEO efforts, we’re suggested to apply AI-preferred structured data formats to present content—using sections like FAQ, HowTo, and dividing titles, paragraphs, bullet points, and lists—to increase the chances of being scraped by AI and shown on the page. Of course, this assumes a good user experience.
I’m still on my journey towards learning, and my content has its limitations. This is just my personal understanding. If you have corrections or additions, please leave them here.