The New Era of SEO: How to Adapt to Search Engines with AI

For years, SEO has revolved around optimizing for algorithms that focused on keywords, backlinks, and technical structures. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence models such as LLMs (Large Language Models) and their integration into search engines like Google’s SGE or Bing Copilot, the landscape has changed dramatically.

Today, we are not just competing to appear on the first page—we are competing to be part of AI-generated answers. This post is a clear guide to understanding this shift and knowing exactly how to adapt starting now.

What Has Changed in SEO with Artificial Intelligence?

From Rankings to AI-Generated Summaries

In the past, the goal was to appear among the top 10 results on a SERP. Now, many users get direct answers through AI-generated summaries—known as AI Overviews—that condense information without requiring a click.

Being Visible Is Not Enough—You Must Be Cited

New systems don’t display your full page but rather snippets. This means the focus shifts: it’s no longer just about ranking high, but about being referenced in automated responses.

What Is SGE (Search Generative Experience)?

Google’s SGE, still rolling out globally, merges classic search with generative AI that produces a personalized summary for the user. This summary is based on:

• High-quality web content
• Trustworthy sources
• Natural language
• Clear semantic structure

What Does This Mean for SEO?

It means that factors like semantic structure, user experience, content clarity, and E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) are more critical than ever.

What Are AI Overviews and How Do They Work?

AI Overviews are a Google feature that displays an AI-generated, concise answer at the top of the search results page. These responses are influenced by:

• The content the model has “read” and understood
• The semantics of each paragraph
• The authority of the source

This introduces a new challenge: positioning in a zero-click world.

From SEO to GEO: Optimizing for Language Models

What Is GEO?

GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization. It’s the art of creating content not only for traditional search engines but also for AI systems that may use it as a reference in their answers.

How to Optimize for GEO

• Use a clear structure with properly layered H2 and H3 headings
• Provide direct answers to common questions
• Write concise, unambiguous sentences
• Include lists, definitions, examples, and tables where possible
• Maintain an informative, authoritative, and neutral tone

How to Adapt Your Content Strategy for AI-Driven SEO

Prioritize Semantic Search Intent

LLMs understand concepts, not just exact keywords. Write for humans and AI alike, ensuring coherence, clarity, and real value.

Strengthen Your Brand as a Trusted Source

The future belongs to cited content. To appear in AI Overviews, your brand must be perceived as an authoritative source. Build your brand profile, digital reputation, and transparency.

Create “Summarizable” Content

Ask yourself: Could an AI generate a useful summary from this article? If the answer is no, your content strategy needs work.

Useful Tools for AI-Adapted SEO

The Future of SEO Is Conversational, Contextual, and Generative

SEO is no longer purely technical—it is conversational, contextual, and increasingly collaborative with machines. Without adopting these principles, your business risks being excluded from the most visible (and influential) results.

SEO has entered a new dimension. Outdated tactics are no longer enough: now you must understand how language models process and generate information. And most importantly, how to influence them with content worth citing, summarizing, and sharing.

At The Salmon Factor, we help you lead this transformation—because SEO is no longer what it used to be… and that’s a massive opportunity.