Does SEO Still Work? What Every Business Owner Needs to Know in 2025 & 2026

Raise your hand if you've heard someone say SEO is dead ✋

Between the rise of AI tools, social media burnout, and the ever-changing digital landscape, it’s no wonder there is a lot of misinformation or disillusionment around SEO.

So today let’s break down what exactly SEO is, debunk some myths, and talk about how SEO actually works (yes, still) — and how to make it work for you.

What Is SEO, Really?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization — which, simply put, is how you get found online without paying for ads or posting on social media every day.

Breaking this down, the "search engine" refers to services like Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. And the "optimization" part means setting up your website and content in a way that makes it most likely that YOUR website will come up when people are searching for you or services you provide.

But these days, people aren't just Googling. So now we’re also talking about Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), AI search tools, and even platforms like Instagram being indexed in search results. That’s right — even your social media could be showing up on Google.

But regardless of what you call it, the core principles of SEO haven’t changed:

• Create valuable, relevant content

• Optimize your website so search engines understand what you do

• Show up consistently in a way that builds trust and credibility

So… Does SEO Still Work?

Yes — but not in the way you think.

SEO isn’t a magic switch that floods your inbox with leads overnight. It’s more like compounding interest. Slow. Steady. Strategic. And when it’s done well, it builds momentum that lasts.

Here’s what still works (and always will):

• Publishing consistent blog content: Search engines still love fresh, relevant content.

• Optimizing your pages: Clear titles, meta descriptions, and intentional keywords still matter.

• Building backlinks and brand mentions: These are the “votes” that tell Google (and AI tools) you’re legit.

• Prioritizing clarity over cleverness: Your homepage can’t just be cute — it needs to say exactly what you do, for whom, and how they can work with you.

What doesn’t work anymore?

Gaming the system.

Keyword stuffing.

Publishing 100 AI blogs in a weekend.

Google’s smarter than that — and your audience is, too.

“But What About AI? Isn’t Search Dead?”

Here’s the deal: AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are changing the way people search, but they’re still pulling from the web.

In other words: if you don’t have a website with clear, useful content, you won’t show up — in search engines OR AI tools.

No matter which tools they prefer to use, remember that your ideal client still has questions and is looking for answers and support. Things like:

• “Do I need a brand strategy before I launch?”

• “How to find a business coach”

• “Website copy examples for service businesses”

If your site can answer those questions clearly and quickly, you’re not just helping Google and ChatGPT—you’re helping the actual humans you want to work with.

So AI isn’t killing SEO. It’s actually demanding better SEO:

• Clearer answers to real questions

• More authentic, human-driven content

• Structured data that helps bots and humans alike navigate your site

And this isn't just me making this up—Google’s own team has said traditional SEO principles still apply, even in the world of AI.

“But I Don’t Have Time to Blog Every Week”

Neither do I. The good news? You don’t need to.

SEO isn’t about cranking out daily blog posts or turning your site into a Wikipedia knockoff. It’s about building a few strategic assets that work on your behalf, quietly and consistently, over time.

Think of it like this: social media is a sprint. SEO is a savings account.

You show up, do the work, and let it compound.

A single blog post can bring in leads six months from now.

A well-optimized services page can help a cold lead say “yes” faster.

A clear FAQ section can answer objections before someone ever books a discovery call.

And that means less convincing, less repeating yourself, and fewer tire-kickers.

What Actually Works in SEO Now?

Here’s what still moves the needle in 2025 and 2026—without needing to hire an SEO agency or use expensive software.

Start with your homepage. Make sure it clearly says:

• What you do

• Who you help

• How people can take the next step

  
  

If it says something vague like “Empowering entrepreneurs to thrive,” rewrite it.

Then look at your service pages. Are you explaining what’s included? Who it’s for? Why it matters? If not, Google (and your audience) will skip right over it.

And yes, having at least one blog post—ideally answering a question your audience Googles often—can make a big difference. Even if you only write one post a quarter, that’s still four high-value, evergreen pieces of content working for you 24/7 (although one a month is even better!)

What About Keywords?

Yes, they still matter—but not the way they used to. You don’t need to obsess over keyword density or cram “SEO tips for small business” into every other sentence. You just need to use the actual language your people are using.

Think:

• “How do I get found online without social media?”

• “What should be on my homepage?”

• “Best way to write an about page”

  
  

Use their words. Answer their questions. Keep it human.

How Long Does It Take to Work?

This is where most people lose patience. SEO isn’t fast. You won’t publish a blog on Monday and rank by Friday. But if you stay consistent—one blog post here, one website tweak there—you should start to see traction in 3–6 months.

And unlike social media, where your content disappears after a day, SEO builds—every piece of content is a breadcrumb that leads back to you.

5 Things You Can Do TODAY to Improve Your SEO (Without Hiring a Pro)

Feeling overwhelmed? Here are five simple actions you can take — no tech degree required:

1. Update Your Page Titles

Do a Google search for site:yourdomain.com and see what shows up. If your homepage says “Home” or “Welcome,” change it to something clear like:“Clarity Coaching for Entrepreneurs | Your Business Name”

2. Add an FAQ Section to Your Service Page

This helps both humans and Google understand what you do.

3. Put a Call to Action in Every Blog Post

And you don’t wait until the end. If someone’s skimming and loving it, make it easy for them to say yes.

4. Rename Your Images

Instead of uploading IMG_1234, rename it to something like business-coach-on-laptop.jpg before you upload it to your site.

5. Link to Other Pages or Posts on Your Site

Internal linking helps search engines understand your content — and it keeps people reading longer.

What Should You Write About?

SEO blogs don’t need to be complex. They need to be helpful.

Start with these:

• FAQs your clients ask all the time

• Misconceptions about your industry

• “How to” posts that solve a specific problem

• “What to know before you hire a [your service]”

• “Top 3 mistakes I see when it comes to [insert your niche]”

Bonus: Check the “People Also Ask” section in Google for even more blog ideas.

But I Hate Blogging. Is It Really Worth It?

Here’s the thing — blog posts do more than just help you get found on Google.

They:

• Build trust with cold leads

• Educate warm leads who aren’t ready to buy yet

• Create content you can repurpose for social media, newsletters, and offers

• Become assets you can use again and again

• Give your audience a reason to keep coming back

So even if no one finds it via Google right away, that blog post could be the thing someone sees on your Instagram six months from now — and it gets them to finally book a call.

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Final Thoughts: SEO Isn’t Dead — But It’s Evolved

So, does SEO still work?

Absolutely — if you focus on quality, consistency, and real value.

You’ve got to approach it like the long game it is. It’s less about hacks and more about helpfulness. It’s about showing up in the places your people are already searching. And making it ridiculously easy for them to say, “This is who I’ve been looking for.”