The New Rules of SEO in 2025 (and Why Video + Reddit Might Save You)
Traditional SEO is not dead, but it is no longer the lone driver of online visibility. Google’s AI Overviews, zero-click search results, and the rise of alternative platforms mean the old “rank and watch the traffic roll in” approach is losing its power. In 2025 the real winners are not just the websites that rank. They are the brands AI trusts, cites, and recommends, and the ones that have a presence in the places audiences actually spend their time.
Recent numbers tell the story. Google’s AI Overviews now appear in about 13 percent of searches1. Some industries have seen traffic drop by up to 40 percent after these features rolled out2. The search landscape has shifted. If you want visibility, you need a new playbook.
Step One: Shift Your Mindset to GEO and AEO
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) are the new SEO frontiers3. Instead of focusing only on traditional rankings, these approaches aim to make your content the go-to answer for AI-driven systems such as Google’s AI Overview, ChatGPT search, and Perplexity AI. The goal is not just a click. The goal is to have your brand cited as a trusted source in these AI-generated responses.
Step Two: Build Content AI and Humans Love
If you want to be cited in AI answers and still serve real visitors, follow these principles:
Aim for the top ten since AI often pulls from these results4.
Lead with a short answer of 15 to 40 words before expanding into detail5.
Use clear structure with headings, bullet lists, and tables5.
Add schema markup such as FAQ, HowTo, and Article for better AI readability6.
Create topical clusters with one comprehensive pillar page and multiple related posts6.
Show experience and authority through author bylines, real-world examples, and reputable citations6.
Keep your content fresh with regular updates4.
Optimize for speed and mobile so visitors have a smooth experience7.
Step Three: Treat Video as a Core SEO Asset
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world8 and it has deep integration with Google’s search results. Video clips are often placed above traditional links, giving them prime visibility. AI systems also read and analyze video transcripts which means your spoken words can show up in AI-generated answers.
Use a two-part video strategy. Long-form YouTube videos build authority and cover topics in depth. Short-form videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts create discovery and draw viewers back to your main content.
Step Four: Go Where Your Audience Already Is
Reddit has become a search destination in its own right9. Google even has a partnership to surface Reddit content more prominently. If you can answer questions on relevant subreddits in a helpful and non-promotional way, you can position your brand as an expert while earning organic visibility.
Check out more about Reddit here
The same principle applies to Quora, industry-specific forums, Discord communities, and even certain Facebook groups. Posts in these spaces can rank on Google faster than your own website and they build credibility with people who care about your topic.
Step Five: Measure and Adapt
Track your AI Overview presence with tools such as SE Ranking’s AIO tracker or Writesonic’s GEO monitoring features. For video, tools like TubeBuddy and VidIQ can help you track rankings and keyword performance on YouTube. Use Google Search Console and GA4 to monitor impressions and brand lift even in cases where zero-click searches dominate.
Step Six: Build a Hybrid Strategy
Winning in 2025 means creating an omnipresent search experience. You need to be visible in Google’s AI Overviews, in traditional rankings, in video search, and in community-driven spaces. When people see your brand in multiple trusted contexts, click-through rates improve, and your credibility grows both with human audiences and AI systems.
Final Word
The AI search era is here now, not years away. Traditional SEO tactics are still part of the mix, but they cannot carry your strategy on their own. To stay visible you must build authority, create content that AI systems want to cite, and show up in the channels where your audience actually spends its time. Master these moves and you will not just survive the shift. You will thrive in it.
