Is AI Killing SEO? What Small Businesses Need to Know Now
MAR 19, 202625 MIN
Is AI Killing SEO? What Small Businesses Need to Know Now
MAR 19, 202625 MIN
Description
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman sits down with SEO expert Kyle Bailey to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the search landscape—and what businesses should really focus on to stay visible online.Kyle shares his journey from growing up around construction trades to building an SEO agency focused on helping home service businesses succeed online. Along the way, the conversation dives into the realities of modern SEO, the myths around AI replacing search, and why understanding your customer still matters more than any algorithm update. The Evolution of SEO in the Age of AIAI tools like ChatGPT are changing how people search for information—but they haven’t replaced traditional search engines.Kyle explains:Why Google still has a major advantage because it can crawl and understand websites more effectivelyHow AI platforms currently rely on signals like reviews and third-party sources (Yelp, Google Reviews, etc.)Why businesses need to expand their reputation across multiple platforms—not just GoogleThe risks of “gaming the system” with SEO shortcuts that create short-term gains but long-term damage The takeaway? Solid SEO fundamentals still matter—and probably always will.The Right Way to Approach SEO StrategyOne of the biggest mistakes businesses make is chasing SEO “cheat codes.”Kyle describes the smarter approach:80% solid SEO fundamentals20% experimentation with new tacticsThis balance allows businesses to stay competitive without risking their entire marketing strategy on short-lived hacks. If you put all your effort into shortcuts, you may see quick wins—but you’ll likely lose everything when algorithms update.Does Blogging Still Matter for SEO?The answer, like many things in marketing, is: it depends.Blogging isn’t just about stuffing keywords anymore. Instead, it should help customers make better decisions.Effective blog content should:Address customers’ biggest fears about working with your businessExplain how your process prevents common problemsEducate buyers so they feel confident choosing youDemonstrate expertise through real-world examplesWhen content answers real questions, it improves both the customer experience and your search visibility. Why Your Website Strategy Matters More Than EverMany businesses try to save money by piecing together website tools or building sites themselves using drag-and-drop builders.Kyle explains why this can create problems:DIY website builders often lack advanced SEO capabilitiesBusinesses may not truly own their domains or dataPiecemeal marketing strategies lead to inconsistent resultsA holistic approach—website, content, reviews, and SEO—creates stronger long-term growthIn other words, your website shouldn’t just exist. It should function as the foundation of your entire marketing strategy. The Most Important Marketing LessonAt the end of the episode, Kyle shares a powerful question every business should ask:“If you c Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here