AI SEO and Traditional SEO for Web Design | Colibri

2025 is here, and if you’re not thinking about AI, you’re already behind. Seriously. The future of SEO isn’t just about keywords—it’s about AI-driven search engines. But don’t freak out. SEO is still crucial. It always will be. The game has changed, though, and to win, you need to optimize for both traditional SEO and AI SEO (AEO). It’s not one or the other—it’s both, or you’re missing out.

Let’s get into why doing both matters and how to build a website that’ll get you noticed by both humans and AI.

Why You Need Both: SEO and AEO

Okay, here’s the cold, hard truth. AI is taking over. But SEO is still the foundation. Without SEO, AI won’t even find you.

Here’s the issue most businesses face:

• You’re pouring money into SEO, but your site is stuck on page 3.
• Your competition is ranking higher, but their content doesn’t seem better than yours.
• You’re seeing more people use voice search, but your site isn’t optimized for it.

Here’s the reality: If you don’t optimize for AI-driven search engines (AEO), you’re leaving a lot of traffic on the table. But if you neglect SEO, AI won’t even find you. You need both to get noticed.

Trust me—if you want to survive in 2025, it’s not about picking sides. SEO and AEO work together to ensure your site is found and understood.

What is SEO?

SEO is the OG. It’s about ensuring your content is visible to search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Here’s what you need to know:

• Keyword research (always important!)
• On-page SEO (title tags, meta descriptions, headings)
• Off-page SEO (backlinks, backlinks, backlinks)
• Technical SEO (site speed, mobile optimization)
• Content optimization (quality, relevance)

SEO ensures that search engines can accurately find and index your site. But that’s just step one.

What is AI SEO (AEO)?

AEO (AI SEO) is the next level of SEO. It’s all about making your website AI-friendly. Generative AI (Like ChatGPT) and AI-powered search engines, such as Google, Siri, Alexa, and others, are smarter than ever. They focus not just on keywords, but on:

• User intent: Does your content solve a problem?
• Natural language processing: Can AI understand your content the way a human would?
• Mobile-friendliness: Does your site work well on any device?
• Voice search optimization: Is your content ready for voice queries?
• Structured data: Are you providing the right signals for AI to understand your content?

AEO is the secret sauce that helps AI really understand your content and rank it higher. If SEO gets you noticed, AEO ensures you’re understood.

The Problem Without Both SEO and AEO

Let me be blunt: You can’t afford to ignore either. Here’s why:

• AI is the Gatekeeper: Google now uses AI to determine if your content is actually helpful. Without AEO, your site could have fantastic content, but AI won’t see it as relevant.
• Voice Search is on the Rise: One in five people (21%) (1) use voice search regularly, making it a part of their weekly routine. If your site isn’t optimized for voice search, you’re missing out on a ton of traffic.
• User Experience Matters More Than Ever: AI loves a good user experience—faster load times, easy navigation, mobile optimization. If your site isn’t user-friendly, AI will knock you down the rankings.

Without SEO, you won’t even be found.

Without AEO, AI won’t get your site.

You need both. Simple as that.

SEO Tips for 2025: The Essentials You Can’t Afford to Ignore

SEO is still critical in 2025. However, it’s no longer just about sprinkling in a few keywords and hoping for the best. You need to step up your game. Here are the essentials you need to nail.

Optimize for Core Web Vitals: Speed is King

Google loves speed. And so do users. AI cares about it too. If your site is slow, it’ll be penalized.

What to do:

• Test your site with PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse.
• Compress images, optimize JavaScript, and use lazy loading.

If your focus is on mobile users, consider using AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), but ensure it works seamlessly with your site.

Keyword Research: It’s About User Intent

It’s not just about high-volume keywords anymore. You want to know why someone is searching.

Actionable Tip:

Example: Instead of “best SEO tips,” try “how to improve my SEO in 2025?”

Content Optimization: Write for Humans AND Machines

Yes, AI is smart, but a human connection is essential. Your content needs to engage both.

Actionable Tip:

• Write long-form, in-depth content. Google loves comprehensive answers.
• Make your content easy to scan with headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs.
• Encourage engagement—such as comments, social shares, etc.

Link Building: Quality Over Quantity

Backlinks still matter. But Google is getting better at detecting spammy links. Focus on quality over quantity.

Actionable Tip:

Local SEO: Get Hyperlocal

With voice search booming, local SEO is more important than ever. SEO loves local results.

Actionable Tip:

Technical SEO: It’s Still the Backbone

No matter how advanced AI becomes, technical SEO remains crucial. If search engines can’t crawl or index your site, it won’t rank.

Actionable Tip:

• Make sure your site is mobile-friendly (remember, Google’s mobile-first approach).
• Fix crawl errors using Google Search Console.
• Use Schema Markup (structured data) for clear context.

AEO Tips for 2025: Optimizing for AI

AI SEO isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. AI-powered search engines are the future. Here’s how to make sure AI understands your content.

Optimize for Voice Search

Voice search is growing, and it’s more conversational. AI loves natural language.

Actionable Tip:

• Use conversational, specific language in your content.
• Focus on long-tail phrases like “What are the best shoes for flat feet?”

Structured Data (Schema Markup)

Structured data tells AI exactly what your content is about. Without it, AI is left guessing.

Actionable Tip:

• Add Schema Markup to key pages, such as products, blog posts, and FAQs.
• Structured data can help you achieve rich snippets, thereby improving your visibility.

Focus on User Engagement

AI loves sites where users stay engaged. If your content keeps people on the page, AI notices.

Actionable Tip:

• Make your content interactive by using lists, bullet points, and questions.
• Encourage comments, social sharing, and interaction.

Leverage Semantic Search

AI prioritizes context over just matching keywords. You need to answer broad questions, rather than targeting individual keywords.

Actionable Tip:

• Focus on semantic search—write content that answers multiple aspects of a topic.
• Use related terms and synonyms to enrich your content.

Demystifying AI SEO: It’s Not As Complex As You Think

Feeling overwhelmed by AI? Don’t. AEO doesn’t need to be scary. It’s about making sure AI understands your content. You’ve got this.

Start by using tools you already know—like Google Search Console and AI-based writing assistants. These can help you see how your site aligns with AI ranking factors.

Actionable Tip:

• Start simple—focus on speed, mobile-friendliness, content structure, and accessibility.
• Gradually dive into more complex AEO tactics like structured data and voice search optimization.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About SEO and AEO

Still have questions? You’re not alone! Let’s clear up some of the most common queries about SEO and AEO so you can get a better grasp on how to optimize your site for both human users and AI.

What’s the biggest difference between SEO and AEO?

SEO helps your site appear in search engine results. AEO ensures AI understands what your content means—like how it solves user problems and matches intent.

How do I start optimizing for voice search?

Use natural language. Think about how people speak, not just how they type. For example, “Where can I find the best pizza near me?” instead of just “best pizza.”

Do I need to be an AI expert to optimize my site for AEO?

Nope! You don’t need a PhD in AI. Start with the basics: speed, mobile optimization, and structured data. Then, slowly dive into things like voice search and semantic content.

Is AEO only for big businesses?

Absolutely not! AI SEO levels the playing field, allowing smaller businesses to thrive by optimizing for voice search, local AI, and personalized content.

Wrapping It Up: SEO + AEO = Your Winning Combo

Traditional SEO will always be critical, but AI SEO is your ticket to the future. 2025 is the year to optimize for both.

Focus on:

• SEO fundamentals: speed, content, backlinks.
• AEO strategies: voice search, semantic content, AI-friendly engagement.

Together, these strategies ensure your site gets noticed and understood in the AI era. Ready to dominate both SEO and AEO? Schedule a call with our team —We’d love to help you out!

Sources:

1. Invoca, “40+ Voice Search Stats You Need to Know in 2026”, 2025