AI & SEO Search Trends: What Google Data Reveals About the Future of SEO
SEO isn’t going anywhere. In fact, interest in SEO stayed strong all through 2025. But the game is changing.
Business owners aren’t just asking “Where do we rank on Google?” anymore. Now they’re asking, “Are we showing up in AI results?”
In this post, I’ll show you the data behind this shift, what it means for your visibility, and how to adapt without losing the fundamentals that still matter.
Let’s dive in.
Start with Traditional SEO
Over the last 12 months, Google Trends shows that the word “SEO” stayed strong in global interest.
The peak came between March and May 2025, mostly because of all the AI updates and the rollout of Google’s Search Generative Experience.
Even when compared with “Search Engine Optimization,” both trends moved almost the same.
That means SEO is still a big focus for marketers around the world.
But now, as we move toward the end of 2025, the trend is slightly shifting.
People are becoming more curious about things like AI SEO, GEO, and AI Visibility.
Traditional SEO to AI Driven SEO
When you look at Google Trends, “SEO” still holds steady between 50 and 75 all year.
But terms like “AI SEO” or “ChatGPT SEO” barely move the graph. Even “GEO” (Generative Engine Optimization) stays around 20 to 30.
This doesn’t mean AI SEO is dying. It actually means it’s already part of the game.
It’s no longer a side tool. It is now built into how modern SEO works, from keyword clustering to schema setup for AI engines.
For example, people aren’t searching “ChatGPT SEO” much because they already use ChatGPT every day for writing meta tags, generating ideas, or optimizing entities. It’s no longer something new. It’s just part of the process now.
Among all, GEO seems to be growing the fastest. That’s because AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity are changing how visibility works.
Instead of only fighting for top rankings and clicks, GEO is about getting mentioned inside AI answers by creating content that is clear, structured, and easy for AI to understand.
If you check marketing discussions or scroll through X and LinkedIn, you’ll see SEO professionals are now mixing GEO with traditional SEO frameworks like E-E-A-T.
SEO vs GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
When you look at the last five years of Google Trends, “SEO” still stays strong with an average between 50 and 75.
But “GEO” is slowly moving up, holding around 20 to 30 in recent data.
Traditional SEO still holds the top spot, but GEO is starting to shape the future of visibility in AI-driven search.
My Perspective: The Shift from Traditional SEO to AI SEO
Many people keep saying SEO is dying, but real data says something else.
It’s not dying. It’s expanding.
Business owners now don’t just want Google rankings.
They want to appear in AI results too.
And that’s where the new question comes in “how are we doing in AI visibility?”
This is clear proof that SEO is growing beyond search rankings and moving into the AI world.
Impact on Local SEO
Google Trends data from the last five years shows that interest in “Local SEO” is rising fast, especially from late 2023.
It stayed steady for a long time, but from early 2024, there’s a clear spike.
Businesses are now realizing how much local visibility matters for getting customers.
This shows how local SEO is becoming a key part of digital marketing.
Local businesses are shifting online because people now search before they buy, whether on Google Maps, search results, or even AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
If you are a business owner and looking for a trusted local SEO expert in Bangladesh then you can book a meeting directly. I will provide you best possible solution for your local business.
Let’s Take a look at Content Optimization
Google Trends shows that interest in “AI Content Optimization” started growing right after ChatGPT launched in 2022. It peaked around May 2025 and then dropped by almost 75% by September.
This tells a clear story. AI tools are no longer a hype. They’ve become part of daily SEO work.
Here’s what the trend really means:
- AI is now used for keyword research, content writing, and personalization.
- It’s not a separate topic anymore, it’s built into how we work.
- Many Experts on X and LinkedIn are now focusing on “AI SEO frameworks” that help LLMs understand structured data for better visibility.
My Point of View About Content Shift
This whole content optimization shift is something I’m really seeing right now.
Everyone, including me, is focusing on AI content optimization. The ones who can use AI to create content faster, then edit, humanize, and make it truly useful for users those are the people winning right now.
I’ve also seen studies from Ahrefs showing how much of Google’s search results are now filled with AI-written content. So yes, everyone is using AI in some way.
Even job posts are changing. Many companies are now hiring AI content optimizers or AI-driven content writers. Earlier, people used to say writers who use AI are not good enough. But now the shift is real.
Today, businesses want writers who can mix both AI and human touch.
And the people who can do this well are in huge demand.
It’s a big shift in the content world, and honestly, I like where it’s going.
How to Adapt this Big Shift in SEO Industry
Yeah, we’re all seeing a big shift in the SEO field. From SEO, Content to AI SEO & AI Content, everything is changing fast.
But one thing I always say, “fundamentals never change.”
The basics of SEO are still the same. If you learn them well and stick to them, you can still do great in this market.
Business owners also need to think the same way. At the end of the day, every business wants leads, visibility, and mentions. Whether it’s on Google, AI chatbots, or other platforms. That’s why SEO is still a must-have investment.
For us, as SEO Expert, we just need to stay sharp. Keep our eyes open, keep learning, and adapt with time.
AI is making things easier, but it’s on us to use it the right way! So yeah, fundamentals never change. And that’s what keeps everything going.
Written by,
Prantic Argho
SEO & Business Developer
