People still use SEO to create brand growth

Do People Still Do SEO?

Byhello@wantseo.co.uk

If you’ve ever wondered whether SEO is still a “thing,” you’re not alone. With the rise of social media, AI-generated answers, and a million ways to find information online, some business owners are asking – do people still do SEO, or is it outdated?

It’s a fair question, and one that reflects just how fast the digital landscape is changing. But here’s the short answer: yes, people absolutely still do SEO, and those who do it well are reaping the benefits in traffic, trust, and revenue.

In fact, search engine optimisation has never been more important. With over 8.5 billion Google searches happening every day (Google), SEO is still the most reliable way for your customers to find your business online. And as search evolves, so does SEO – offering new opportunities for brands that stay ahead.

This article will help you understand why SEO is still very much alive, what it looks like in 2025, and how it can fuel long-term business growth—especially with the right strategy and support.

Key Takeaways

What SEO Looks Like Today

Search engine optimisation has changed dramatically over the past decade. What once relied on keyword stuffing and link farms now demands quality content, ethical strategy, and a deep understanding of how search engines interpret value.

Today’s SEO involves:

  • Understanding Search Intent: What is the user really looking for, and how can your content meet that need?
  • Technical Site Health: Fast load times, mobile-friendliness, secure connections (HTTPS), structured data and a clean site structure are all key factors.
  • Content Quality: Google prioritises informative, original and engaging content that genuinely helps users.
  • E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust are crucial for building credibility online.
  • Local SEO: For service-based and location-specific businesses, optimising Google Business Profiles and local citations is essential.
  • User Experience (UX): A seamless website journey – intuitive navigation, accessible design, and minimal friction—matters just as much as rankings.
  • AI Integration: With generative search models being tested, search is becoming more conversational, which makes intent-based optimisation even more valuable.

SEO is no longer just about Google. Platforms like YouTube, Amazon, TikTok and even LinkedIn now function as search engines in their own right. But the principles remain the same: relevance, trust, and quality win.

Why SEO Still Matters for Growing Brands

Let’s be clear: SEO isn’t a quick win. It’s a long-term strategy. But it’s also one of the most sustainable and cost-effective ways to build your brand online.

Key Benefits:

  • Free, qualified traffic: Unlike paid ads, SEO doesn’t cost per click. Once you rank well, that visibility keeps delivering.
  • Trust and authority: People trust organic results more than ads. Good SEO puts your business where trust is earned, not bought.
  • Compound returns: Unlike short-term campaigns, SEO builds over time. Each piece of content adds to your digital footprint.
  • Better customer insights: Analysing which keywords and content bring traffic tells you what your customers care about.
  • Competitive edge: If you’re not showing up in search results, your competitors likely are.

A recent study by BrightEdge found that over 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine (BrightEdge). That’s a massive slice of the market you can’t afford to ignore.

Common Misconceptions About SEO in 2025

“SEO is dead because of AI and voice search.”
Not true. AI and voice search have changed how people search, but SEO is still what helps your business show up. In fact, optimising for conversational, question-based queries is now a core part of modern SEO.

“Social media replaces SEO.”
While platforms like TikTok and Instagram can generate visibility, they don’t replace search intent. People use Google to solve problems, find services, and make decisions. Social media can support SEO, but it doesn’t replace it.

“I can just run ads instead.”
Ads can bring traffic quickly, but stop the moment your budget runs out. SEO builds a foundation for long-term, ongoing visibility and supports your paid campaigns by improving landing page performance and trust signals.

“SEO takes too long.”
Yes, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. But with the right strategy, you can start seeing meaningful progress within 3 to 6 months and enjoy results that last well beyond the initial effort.

The Evolving Future of SEO

Search engines are not going away. They’re getting smarter. Here’s what the future holds and why SEO is still vital:

Search Generative Experience (SGE)
Google is testing AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. To stay visible, your content needs to be well-structured, rich in context, and optimised for featured snippets and questions.

Zero-Click Searches
More users now get answers without clicking. That makes it even more important to optimise your metadata, FAQs, and structured data to own as much of the search result real estate as possible.

Localised and Personalised Search
Search results are increasingly tailored based on location and user preferences. That’s why a well-optimised Google Business Profile and consistent local citations are non-negotiables for physical businesses.

Sustainability and Ethical SEO
Google continues to penalise spammy tactics. Future-proof SEO is about real value—original content, genuine reviews, transparent information and good user experience.

Conclusion: Yes, People Still Do SEO And So Should You

The landscape has changed, but the goal remains the same: get found by the right people at the right time. SEO is not only still relevant, it’s the backbone of successful digital marketing strategies in 2025 and beyond.

If you’re serious about growing your brand online, SEO must be part of your plan. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a one-person startup or an established SME – the way people find, judge and engage with your brand starts in search.

At Want SEO, we help businesses just like yours take the guesswork out of digital growth. With bespoke services in keyword strategy, content creation, audits, technical optimisation and competitor analysis, we make sure your business is seen, trusted, and chosen – where it matters most.

So yes, people still do SEO. Smart businesses double down on it. Now’s the time to make sure you’re one of them. Ready to grow? Let’s talk.