The SEO Noise: What Everyone’s Saying
There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there. Some influencers say SEO is dead. Others promise you’ll rank #1 in 24 hours with the right “secret.” No wonder 90% of marketers feel lost.
Here’s the truth: SEO is not dead, but it has changed. To rank top in 2025, you need to understand both the technical fundamentals and the real power of AI as an assistant — not a replacement.
8 Real Steps to Rank Top in SEO (Human Strategies)
✅ Step 1: Get Crawled by Google
Before you rank, you need to make sure Google can find your pages. Use tools like Google Search Console or connect your site with Google Site Kit in WordPress.
Pro Tip: Fix crawl errors, broken links, and use “Validate Fix” when issues show up.
✅ Step 2: Competitor Analysis — But Smarter
Most people treat competitor analysis like checking what keywords others use. But if your competitor’s content is better and more trustworthy, they’ll still outrank you.
Instead: Focus on fresh, structured, and value-packed content. Think like Wikipedia — useful, updated, and trusted.
✅ Step 3: Do Intent-Driven Keyword Research
Use tools like Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, or Google Trends to find low-difficulty, high-intent keywords. But don’t stop there — ask:
- What’s the searcher really looking for?
- Can I answer their question better than anyone else?
✅ Step 4: Earn Backlinks by Being Better
Backlinks still matter. The best way to earn them? Create thorough, up-to-date, trustworthy content. If your content is better, people will want to link to you — even competitors.
✅ Step 5: Build a Brand People Search For
Branding boosts SEO. Google tracks how often people search for your brand name, which builds authority.
According to research, the average customer interacts with a brand 11.1 times before buying. That’s why omnipresence — showing up in search, social, email, and content — matters.
✅ Step 6: Update Old Content
Use Google Search Console to identify outdated or underperforming posts. Refresh your headlines, structure, and content. This helps Google re-crawl and re-rank your content faster.
✅ Step 7: Avoid Common SEO Mistakes
Big ones to watch out for:
- Multiple pages targeting the same keyword
- Poor internal linking
- Messy site structure
Keep your content in a logical hierarchy — like:
- Homepage
- Category Page
- Blog Post
- Related Post
- Category Page
✅ Step 8: Focus on Content Structure
Structure matters as much as content. Use:
- Clear H1, H2, H3 headings
- Bullet points and lists
- Internal links
- Short paragraphs
This helps both users and search engines navigate your content.
AI in SEO: Helping or Hurting?
Now let’s look at the other side of the debate: AI in SEO.
Some people use AI blindly — they type a topic into ChatGPT, paste the result on their blog, and expect it to rank. That rarely works.
But AI used strategically can save time and improve results.
David vs Neil: A Tale of Two SEO Mindsets
Meet David and Neil.
- David doesn’t know SEO. He tells ChatGPT, “Write an article about SEO in 2025.” He publishes whatever it gives him, unchanged.
- Neil is a smart marketer. He researches trends, finds keywords manually, then uses ChatGPT to assist with outlines, drafts, and formatting. He edits heavily, adds human stories, and makes sure the post solves a real problem.
Who do you think ranks higher?
Final Thoughts: The Real SEO Strategy in 2025
SEO in 2025 is not about shortcuts. It’s about understanding what Google wants: clear, helpful, original content that answers real questions.
Use AI as a partner, not a boss. Focus on structure, quality, and user intent. Keep your site clean, your content fresh, and your mind open.
Great SEO isn’t about tricks. It’s about trust — earned through relevance, consistency, and value.
🔗 Bonus: Tools Mentioned
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Im going to write a clear cut blog about GEO vs SEO and what the top marketers talks about it so stay tuned for it until then please go through my previous blogs
👋 Who I Am
I’m an SEO enthusiast trying to figure out the right path. Join me as I explore what really works in the world of SEO in 2025 — no fluff, just honest experiments, tools, and insights.