SEO 2025: Evolving, Not Dead
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How To Rank #1 On Google SEO Tips Podcast ClearBrand
Brandon has been in the SEO industry since 2007, and he’s seen it all. From Google’s ever-changing algorithms to the rise of AI-driven search, the fundamentals of SEO remain intact: as long as people are searching, SEO will exist.
Even if Google were to disappear (which is highly unlikely), another search engine would take its place. Search engines are a core part of the internet, and SEO adapts to wherever people are searching—whether on Google, Amazon, YouTube, or Yelp.
The SEO Evolution: Then vs. Now
Brandon points out that SEO has evolved drastically. In the early days, keyword stuffing and mass backlinking worked. Today, Google prioritizes user experience, quality content, and authoritative backlinks.
- Google has shifted toward entity-based SEO, focusing more on topics and relevance rather than just keywords.
- AI-generated content is on the rise, but Google still prioritizes helpful, high-quality content.
- Backlinks still matter, but quality trumps quantity.
How to Rank on Google in 2025
1. Technical SEO: Fix the Foundation First
Before jumping into content or backlinks, ensure your website is technically sound.
✅ Mobile-Friendly – Google’s mobile-first indexing means your site must be optimized for mobile devices.
✅ Fast Loading Speed – A slow website hurts rankings. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check and optimize load times.
✅ Structured Data – Implementing schema markup helps search engines understand your content better.
✅ Clean URL Structure – URLs should be short, keyword-rich, and user-friendly.
✅ Secure Website (HTTPS) – Security is a ranking factor. Ensure your site has an SSL certificate.
2. Content Optimization: Quality Over Quantity
While keywords still matter, content quality and relevance are the key to ranking today.
How much content should a blog post have?
- There’s no fixed number. The best approach is to analyze competitors’ ranking on page one and write slightly more comprehensive content.
- Tools like Surfer SEO can help analyze word count, keyword density, and structure based on top-performing content.
What makes content rank?
✔ Well-researched and in-depth – Answer the user’s query thoroughly.
✔ E-A-T Factors – Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness matter.
✔ Keyword Placement – Keywords should be naturally included in:
- Title tags
- Meta descriptions
- Headers (H2s, H3s)
- URL structure
- Image alt text
✔ Internal Linking – Link-related articles and service pages for better navigation and authority distribution.
✔ Freshness Matters – Regularly update old blog posts and mark them as “Last Updated” to improve relevance.
3. The Power of Backlinks: Quality Over Quantity
Backlinks remain a top-ranking factor, but spammy links can hurt your rankings.
What makes a good backlink?
- Relevance – The site linking to you should be related to your industry.
- Authority – A backlink from The New York Times is more valuable than one from a random blog.
- Natural Anchor Text – Avoid keyword-heavy anchor text. Use variations and natural phrasing.
Strategies to Build Backlinks:
- Guest Posting – Write for authoritative sites in your niche.
- Podcast Interviews – Being a guest on relevant podcasts provides high-quality backlinks.
- Digital PR – Getting featured in news articles, roundups, and expert lists.
- Competitor Backlink Analysis – Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze and replicate competitor backlinks.
- Broken Link Building – Find broken links on authoritative sites and suggest your content as a replacement.
4. AI and the Future of SEO
AI is reshaping search, but SEO fundamentals still apply.
- Google’s AI Updates – AI is being integrated into search results, but it still pulls from indexed websites.
- AI-Generated Content – Google says AI-written content is fine as long as it provides value.
- Chrome User Data – Google tracks behavior through Chrome to gauge user satisfaction with search results.
- Zero-Click Searches – Google is increasingly providing answers directly in search results (featured snippets, AI summaries). Optimize for snippets!
The SEO Mindset: Play the Long Game
SEO is a long-term investment. Unlike paid ads that stop generating leads when the budget runs out, SEO builds momentum over time.
How to Approach SEO with Patience and Strategy:
📌 Set Realistic Expectations – SEO takes months, not days. Expect 3-6 months for results.
📌 Diversify Traffic Sources – SEO should complement paid ads, social media, and email marketing.
📌 Systematize Your Efforts – Build a repeatable SEO process:
- Weekly blog updates
- Monthly backlink outreach
- Quarterly content refreshes
