The impact of SearchGPT on SEO will be massive in the coming months. Years. As someone who’s been using AI since its inception, I’ve noticed a whole lot throughout this some 2-year rollercoaster ride.
To minimize the negative impact of SearchGPT on your SEO efforts, you’ll need to adjust. Like anything, SEO is ever evolving. It’s different every Goddamn week! It’s annoying. But that only means opportunity.
These are the biggest things I’ve noticed with ChatGPT and the different impact SearchGPT will have and what you can do to mitigate it.
You will Lose Traffic Impacted by Direct Answers
Right, you got it. If you managed to hit the first page if the things are already on the page—as it usually happens with users—they are likely to go.
SearchGPT involves providing users with the answers by scanning the first few results. It also gives the credits there but how many of those “sources” do you think people actually click on after search? People consume the answer and close the search. It’s like having free samples at the front of your business to lure and provide people but no one enters.
Organic Traffic Will be Converted into Direct Traffic
There is an unexpected twist here. In this case, “organic search” refers to traffic that specifically comes in through a search. Here’s what happens with SearchGPT: Users search on SearchGPT. They get results. And if they’re interested in the source, they will click it.
You can see that they aren’t technically reaching you organically, but through a link from OpenAI. So, when you’re doing your reports, some of that traffic will be direct and not organic. You’re still getting some of that traffic back, just in a different form.
It Will Be Very Difficult to Analyze Organic Traffic
But it will be really very hard to track your organic traffic campaigns and monitor your ranking changes. No matter what people say, the data might reflect a loss of organic search traffic and it might appear that all is lost, but that is not the case since the new traffic is coming from a different traffic source.
The Future of Keywords Research is upon Us
Can someone remember the times when keyword research seemed easy and rewarding, the instances where you actually got to those hidden treasures and went a few steps higher? Well the old days of such stuff are dead and gone, so you have to prepare for new challenges.
This is particularly so because 90% of the keywords that people used were grandfathered. SearchGPT generates results based on the material already highly ranked so most likely, working towards a keyword that has been used before is simply squandering your energy.
This Means DON’T Pay for Semrush and Ahrefs
Yep, I said it. Stop shelling out big bucks for keyword tools like Semrush and Ahrefs. The only way you’ll rank now is by finding untapped keywords that likely won’t show up in a keyword search. They’ll show zero volume and zero keyword difficulty. But guess what? People are still searching for them.
You’ll need to get creative and write about current topics every week or month—stuff that hasn’t been covered yet. It’s about being ahead of the curve, not chasing after it.
You will have to come up with fresh content that has not been written about for the previous week, for the coming week or month. It’s not about waiting until something becomes popular, but it is putting it out there before everyone else does.
Use the following Tools: Google Trends as well as Exploding Topics
So, where do you get those contents no one has thought of or stressed out on before? Google Trends and Exploding Topics are the two best tools to assist with the research. They reveal new keywords which are not competitive that are not yet fully exploited by competitors. Be quick to jump onto them; otherwise, the other person will occupy that seat.
Isolate the hot topics soon as they are identified and realizes a spectacular content first. It is swimming where you have to catch the wave before the break.
CPC Advertisements Are Not as Promising
A definite disadvantage for search engine marketing fans: because more users are switching to SearchGPT, as a result not as many are perusing the classical Google search results. Which also means that your Google Ads campaigns will act any less effective than before. Reduced activity means a drop in the return on investment for your money spent on advertising.
Wrapping It Up
Look, the SEO game is changing—again. But it’s not all doom and gloom. While SearchGPT is shaking things up, it’s also opening new avenues for those willing to adapt.
Get creative with your content. Focus on fresh, untapped topics.
Use alternative tools. Embrace Google Trends and Exploding Topics.
Monitor your analytics differently. Pay attention to direct traffic spikes.
Change is inevitable in the digital world. Those who adapt thrive, and those who don’t… well, you know how that story ends.
So roll with the punches, stay ahead of the curve, and keep that traffic flowing.
If you need a killer SEO strategy, reach out!
