SEO is more essential than ever
Search engine optimization (SEO) continues to be one of the most powerful digital marketing channels. It involves refining pages and content to rank for relevant terms on search engine results pages (SERPs), increasing visibility and growth. However, with AI-driven tools like Google RankBrain and AI Overviews now part of the equation, marketers must evolve to stay relevant.
Interest in ‘ChatGPT’ continues to grow
According to Statista, search interest for ‘ChatGPT’ peaked in June 2024. Though interest dipped later, Google still reports high search volumes, reflecting how conversational AI is influencing SEO behavior.
Users are actively using ChatGPT for search
SEMrush analysis shows 54% of ChatGPT queries occur with SearchGPT turned off, suggesting people are using generative AI like ChatGPT for information retrieval, affecting how SEO professionals approach keyword strategy.
Marketers are integrating AI into SEO
Around 65% of marketers say they’ve improved SEO outcomes with AI, and 67% report better content quality. Tools like SEO Surfer and SEMrush use AI to streamline keyword research, while ChatGPT helps in generating and organizing keyword clusters.
Popular SEO tools in 2025
According to discussions, the most-used SEO tools right now are:
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Surfer SEO
- ChatGPT
- MOZ Pro
- Screaming Frog
- Google Search Console
Google dominates the search engine market
Statista reports Google commands 89.74% of the market. Bing follows with 4.04%. Other players like Yahoo!, Baidu, Yandex, and DuckDuckGo have a minimal presence.
Social search is expected to boost traffic
HubSpot data shows that 50% of SEO professionals believe social media search engines will help improve organic search. 48% expect Google’s AI Overviews to enhance traffic, while 44% believe upcoming algorithm changes and generative AI will have a positive impact.
Local SEO continues to rise
Embryo Marketing research shows 46% of Google searches have local intent. Focusing on geo-targeted content and keywords is critical for brands aiming to expand reach and capture intent-driven traffic.
Mobile search leads the way
About 72.59% of Google traffic comes from mobile devices. Optimizing for mobile is no longer optional—it’s a necessity to stay competitive in search rankings.
Google launched four major updates in 2024
The March 2024 core update was its biggest ever, reducing irrelevant and low-quality content by 45%. This reinforces the need for marketers to prioritize originality and relevance in their SEO content.
First-page visibility is crucial
HubSpot reveals that 75% of users never click past the first page of Google. Moreover, 28.5% click on the first organic result. Being visible on page one is essential for generating traffic.
Voice search adoption is growing
Globally, around 20% of users now rely on voice search. To optimize, marketers should:
- Research common voice queries
- Use conversational phrases
- Apply NLP (natural language processing) techniques
Video SEO drives performance
Wyzowl reports 88% of marketers say video has helped generate leads. It also boosts dwell time and reduces bounce rates. Video is forecasted to be the fastest-growing digital ad segment. With YouTube being the top video search engine, including video content is a strategic advantage.
Develop your SEO expertise
To grow your career in digital marketing, mastering search is key. The Professional Diploma in Search Marketing (created with Neil Patel) covers paid and organic search, content strategy, analytics, and more—ideal for anyone ready to boost traffic and leads.