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SEO Isn’t Dead in 2025—You’re Just Playing the Old Game (Here’s the New One)
09/05/2025
SEO Isn’t Dead in 2025—You’re Just Playing the Old Game (Here’s the New One)
If your traffic fell off a cliff after recent Google updates and AI answers, you’re not alone—especially if you’re a recipe, YMYL (Your Money or Your Life), or niche blogger who used to win with long posts and ads. But SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolved. In my latest episode, I'm talk to , who breaks down exactly how creators can still win in 2025: build visible authority, earn strategic backlinks, improve UX, and shift revenue toward newsletters and products. Show Notes: Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast: The Problem Creators Are Facing in 2025 AI is answering queries and compressing clicks—brutal for “quick-answer” niches like recipes. Google is rewarding authority (E-E-A-T) and punishing thin UX (endless scroll, intrusive ads, fluff). Old playbooks (publish more posts, stuff in keywords, hope for ad RPM) don’t move the needle. Solution in a sentence: Treat search like a brand + authority channel, not a traffic lottery. Build proof of expertise on every page, earn real mentions/links, and turn all attention into owned audiences and product revenue. What’s Working Now (According to Steven) 1) Authority > everything Add clear E-E-A-T signals on every post and key page (not just your About page): Real author byline + headshot 2–3 credential links (culinary school, certifications, LinkedIn) Awards/press mentions (linked) Concise author bio block on each post This helps Google and readers trust that a human expert wrote it. 2) Backlinks with intent (no spray-and-pray) Guest on podcasts (links in show notes = high-quality, relevant). Offer expert quotes to other bloggers/journalists; pitch quick 2–3 sentence tips they can drop in with a link. Vary anchor text (brand, URL, topical phrases) and use reciprocal links sparingly. Paying for “time” vs “links” is a gray area—be selective and ethical. 3) UX that respects the reader Stop the 4,000-word detours; give the answer fast and add optional depth. Keep one H1 per page, logical H2/H3s, strong internal linking, and basic schema hygiene. Recipes/how-to: lead with the steps; put the story below. 4) BOFU content (not just top-of-funnel) Steven’s agency prioritizes bottom-of-funnel, high-intent topics that convert to leads or sales—because SEO must tie to revenue. 5) Newsletter > ad RPM Clicks are down, but email still converts. Build a free newsletter, nurture weekly, and sell your own offers (ebooks, mini-courses, templates, memberships). 7-Step Action Plan (Do this in the next 14 days) Add E-E-A-T blocks site-wide Byline, headshot, 2–3 credential links, “Reviewed by” where relevant. Fix on-page structure One H1, clean headings, scannable sections, strong internal links among related posts. Create one “wow” asset ( or calculator) Examples: Gluten-free flour swap chart (instant, high-value) Meal-prep planner (fillable PDF) ROI/Cost calculator (tools get links + emails) Pitch 10 podcasts in your niche Offer 3 topic angles, a short bio, and a value-packed outline; request a site link in show notes. Run a “quote outreach” sprint Identify 25 relevant posts; email the author a ready-to-paste 2–3 sentence expert tip + your preferred link target (vary anchors). Publish 3 BOFU posts Bottom-of-funnel queries aligned to your product (e.g., “Meal-prep templates,” “Gluten-free baking guide PDF,” “One-hour blogging audit”). Launch or revive your newsletter Weekly format: 1 tip, 1 tool, 1 template. Soft-pitch your product/freebie in each send. Make This Easy (and Free) with With the , you can: Sell one (ebook, template, workshop replay) Offer a freebie/lead magnet with automatic delivery Add a social pop-up to grow followers while you sleep Spin up AI-generated pages (sales + opt-in) in minutes 👉 : set up your product or freebie and start collecting subscribers + sales today. (No tech headaches, no credit card required.) FAQ (Quick Answers) Is there a way to “write for AI” specifically? Not really. Write for humans with clear structure, show expertise, and earn authority; that is what LLMs and Google both surface. Should I pay for links? It’s a gray area; focus on earning links via value (podcasts, tools, quotes). If compensation is about someone’s time to implement, be selective and ethical. What on-page items still matter? Single H1, logical headings, internal links, page speed, helpful schema. Meta descriptions are less critical but still fine to include. Your Next 2 Moves (Start Today) (cheat sheet, planner, or calculator) and add it site-wide. Pitch one podcast + send one expert quote email before you log off today. You’ve got this. The new game rewards real expertise, useful assets, and owned audiences—and that’s a much more resilient business. Other Related Blogger Genius Podcast Episodes You’ll Enjoy:
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