Why SEO in 2025 Isn't Dead... It's Evolving

Leading into 2025, I've seen countless ads and videos with gurus talking about the death of SEO and the rise of AI.

Other than this being a ridiculous idea as a whole, most of the people saying this are really just trying to sell you some nonsense AI platform that will actually do more harm than good.

One thing that I will agree on is that SEO is evolving into more than just pleasing Google's ever-changing algorithm.

In fact, did you know that 46% of Gen Z and 35% of millennials use social media platforms as their primary search engine?

It may seem odd to some of you, but the younger generations are using Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to do their internet searching. Looking for the best pizza in North Jersey? Search on Instagram's explore page. Looking for tips on best makeup products in 2025? Head to a TikTok search term. Looking for how to change your car's headlight? Go directly to YouTube to find a how-to video.

In other words, people are changing how they search for information.

Therefore, instead of only focusing on Search ENGINE Optimization, as content creators and businesses, you need to be focused on Search EVERYWHERE Optimization.

At All Marketing Group, we believe that both traditional and forward-thinking SEO strategies should be in play for businesses; keep reading below for some further insight, or you can even reach out to us directly for more information!

The Evolution of Search Behavior

Google still sees over 8 billion searches per day... So although traditional SEO is far from dead, there are endless stats that we could pull to show you that the younger generations are flocking away from conventional searching.

As technology advanced, people have become tuned to pulling out their "pocket computer," opening an app, and searching for a video about whatever is on their mind.

Think about it... would you rather have to read an article about the top 10 restaurants in New Jersey (that was probably paid for), or scroll through a sea of videos showcasing who the best restaurants are and why. (by the way, if you want to watch our video recap of this article... click here)

In today's day and age, video conquers all other forms of video - and if you aren't focusing your business's marketing efforts on social media or YouTube, you are fighting a losing battle.

Not only are we seeing this video trend with social media searches, but even Google itself has now started rolling out short form videos in their search results!

Since Google bought YouTube, they have been pushing long-form YouTube videos on search results. However, we are now seeing short form videos from all social media platforms get placements in Google's search results (and that number is only growing, and fast).

YouTube itself has already been deemed the second-largest search engine in the world. It's time for your business to get on social media and start optimizing for this new age of SEO and search.

What is Search Everywhere Optimization?

If you own a business and have a website, you should be familiar with SEO. If not, think of SEO as where and how you rank on Google's search results. Can you be found at all? Are you in the top ten? Are you the first business to appear when someone searches for Pizza in Somerville?

To sum it up quickly, optimizing your website for search engines means making sure the little robots that do Google's searching can see your website, they know what's on there, and it is the best source of information to push to the consumer searcher.

Now moving forward, businesses can't just forget about optimizing their website, but they also need to be focused on optimizing their other forms of content as well.

As previously mentioned, video is leading the charge in this digital world and social media is the platform that hosts theses videos. Which leads us to the idea that you must optimize your videos, captions, titles, descriptions, alt text, etc. for keywords and search terms that you want to "rank" for.

Simply making your caption "watch us make pizza" isn't going to cut it. You need to be thinking about what someone is searching on that specific platform. Instead, try using keywords or phrases that people commonly use in your industry. For instance change "watch us make pizza," to "At Tony's Pizzeria, we make the best pizza in Somerville, New Jersey. Watch us make home made tomato sauce as we serve New Jersey's finest. #pizza #newjersey #jerseypizza #homemadesauce"

This new caption is optimized for someone who is searching for the best pizza in New Jersey and is bound to get more attention overall - hey, Google may even pick up on it too!

Where You Should Focus Your SEO Efforts in 2025

Alright, there was a lot of information there, so let's boil this down into three areas of focus for Search Everywhere Optimization.

Social Media as Search Engines

TikTok, Instagram, and every other social media platform (although these 2 and YouTube are leading the way) need to be a point of focus for your business.

If you aren't utilizing video marketing and social media, you are falling behind at a rapid pace. The most vital thing you can do today is get started. In the beginning, don't worry about making the best videos in the world, simply get moving and show that your business is alive and open.

Once you do get rolling and the content is looking good, then you can start focusing on truly optimizing it for search results.

• Use keywords or phrases in captions, hashtags, and titles

• Add ALT Text whenever applicable (usually photos)

• Create engaging, value-driven short video content

• Consistency is everything

You should realize by now, but social media and YouTube videos are the new search engines... you don't want to fall behind!

The Rise of Video in Google Search Results

For a period of time, Google wasn't pushing short-form videos at all. They were strictly focused on only showing long-form YouTube videos in their search results.

Yet, this has rapidly changed. Google realized that people are using search engines to watch quick videos on what they are interested in learning.

Thus, now social media videos are ranking right alongside the most optimized websites and YouTube videos.

Website Video and YouTube Posting

Let's face it. Videos are far more engaging than any other form of content.

Your website needs video in some capacity. If it's a front-page video sales letter, great. If it's a how-to video for describing how your product works, great.

Whatever it may be, create video content and post it on YouTube and your website. Not only will this keep viewers on your site longer, but it can also rank on Google's search results.

Be sure you are thinking about what you write in the titles and captions too, because this is how Google and other bots know what the video or photo is about. You MUST optimize as if it was a traditional SEO project on your website.

Want Help In The Digital Marketing and Video World?

Understandably, this can be very overwhelming to people who are used to websites and blogs - especially business owners, considering I know how much is already on your plate, now you need to worry about optimizing video content too?

Well... yes.

Or you can look for help. If you are in New Jersey, or really anywhere, feel free to reach out to us and we can figure out a way to help. No charge either, we want business owners to know that we want them in the best position possibly to win.