The SEO obituary writers have been busy for years. Every new Google update, every AI release, every whispered “shift in the algorithm” gets them reaching for the funeral playlist. And yet…here we are, delivering stellar SEO results.
We’ve seen every trend, anticipated many of them, and kept our same, measured calm along the way. While everything changes, everything stays the same, and SEO continues to thrive. Why? Because the goal hasn’t changed. You still have to be the source everyone (and every bot) turns to for answers.
What’s ChatGPT 5?
A quick catch-up for those not constantly reading about SEO and tech news for fun like we do.
Released on August 7, 2025, ChatGPT 5 is the new flagship model behind ChatGPT, combining fast responses with deep reasoning via an automatic “thinking” router, plus multimodal capabilities, safer answers, and personalized personalities.
ChatGPT 5 notably does not hold vast amounts of information. Rather, it works exceptionally well with the information passed to it, and it relies on web search for accuracy.
LLMs Don’t Replace Search
So how does this matter for SEO?
ChatGPT 5 is not a giant brain with infinite knowledge. It is a parser. It ingests, evaluates, and synthesizes information from the best sources it can find. If you’re not ranking well in search, you’re basically invisible. If your content is easy to understand, well-organized, and contextually rich, it is fuel for both Google’s search algorithms and AI-powered tools.
As our Senior Search Strategist, Joe Collins, puts it:
“Our focus has been on creating and optimizing content to be easy to understand (and meaningful) for search engine algorithms since the start. Doing that with AI in mind simply means taking organization and clarity to the next level. If LLMs are crawling top-ranking pages for answers, then ranking at the top of search results is still the primary goal for any company providing any product or service.”
AEO, GEO, AIO? The Basics Still Run the Show
Let’s say it loud: we love SEO. We geek out on schema, wrangle metadata like pros, and chase organic rankings for fun. It’s who we are. But we’re not chasing shiny acronyms like AEO, GEO, or whatever. Sure, they make great keywords, but we don’t really need to constantly reinvent the wheel. The fundamentals are still best practice:
- Write content worth reading. No fluff, no filler.
- Mark it up right. Structured data is a handshake between you and the machines.
- Organize it logically for people and algorithms.
- Stand out by saying something your competitors can’t or won’t.
Sure, some things might change as they always do. For example, we can’t guarantee link value will stay critical forever, and we will need to find new ways to measure success. But as SEOs, we make sure our clients’ info is presented in the best way possible for users, search engines, LLMs, and whatever comes next – and we always have.
Adaptation Is the SEO Superpower
SEO has never been static. We’ve rolled with local search updates, privacy crackdowns, and cookiepocalypse headlines. We’ve shifted measurement strategies, adapted to mobile-first indexing, and embraced the EEAT model long before it was cool.
And through it all? The work stays the same at its core: help your audience find the right information at the right time, in the right way.
Joe sums it up:
“The channels evolve, the rules shift, but clarity, relevance, and credibility always win.”
The Takeaway for Businesses in 2025
Stop debating if SEO is dead. Stop overcomplicating it with shiny acronyms. Instead, double down on making your brand’s information:
- Impossible to misinterpret
- Easy to surface in search and AI answers
- Valuable enough to earn attention and links naturally
Whether the searcher is a human, a Google crawler, or a future AI agent, the same truth applies: if you own the best answer, you own the click and the conversation. SEO isn’t going away. It’s becoming more important, and the brands that treat it like a priority will keep winning.
Work With CadenceSEO
At Cadence, we approach SEO like the endurance sport it is. We’re run by people who understand that results come from consistent, focused effort. That means no shortcuts, no gimmicks, and no trendy tactics that fizzle out in a month.
We’re proud SEO nerds, and we’ve built a reputation for being transparent, approachable, and relentless in getting our clients seen. Our process is rooted in data, refined by experience, and driven by the understanding that the fundamentals still win even as algorithms and technology evolve.
We’ve helped businesses of every size get found, stand out, and stay competitive, and we do it without locking anyone into long-term contracts. If your business needs an SEO partner that adapts fast, communicates clearly, and delivers measurable impact, you’re in the right place.
Book your free consultation today and see how Cadence can help you own your space in search.
