I’ve been in SEO for over 11 years, riding the waves of Google updates, link-building shifts, and now, the rise of AI. I’ve seen tactics come and go, but one thing remains true — if you understand how people search, you can help them find you.
Today, search is changing faster than ever. With tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), and AI overlays, users often get answers without clicking a single link. That’s where new optimization layers come in. Think GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AIO (AI Optimization), and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). These are not buzzwords — they’re the new frontier of visibility.
But here’s the good news. While the way people search has evolved, some core SEO strategies still work. In fact, they’re more important than ever. Below, I’ll walk you through five evergreen tactics that continue to drive traffic, boost rankings, and now, even get your content picked up by AI tools.
1. Create Helpful, Human-First Content
Google’s Helpful Content System rewards websites that give people real value. This means writing content that solves problems or answers questions clearly.
Why It Works
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70% of users say they prefer helpful content over clickbait or keyword-stuffed pages. (HubSpot, 2024)
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Google’s 2024 update lowered rankings for AI-written content that lacked originality.
How To Do It
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Write for people first, not for search engines.
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Use short sentences and simple words. Grade 5 reading level is ideal.
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Answer specific questions. Use tools like “People Also Ask” on Google for ideas.
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Add real tips, steps, or examples.
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Include internal links that guide users to related content.
Bonus Tip
Write content that can be quoted by AI tools like ChatGPT. Clear answers to questions like “how to,” “what is,” or “steps for” get picked up more often.
2. Update Old Content Regularly
Old blogs and landing pages lose power if left untouched. Updating shows Google that your site is active and still useful.
Why It Works
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Pages updated within the last 6 months rank 20% higher on average. (Backlinko, 2024)
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AI tools like ChatGPT favor fresh facts and updated data when pulling content.
How To Do It
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Review your top 20 pages every 3 months.
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Add new stats or examples.
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Improve clarity and structure.
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Update broken links and images.
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Re-optimize for newer keywords if needed.
Bonus Tip
Add the “Last Updated” date to your content. This helps both users and search engines trust your information.
3. Build Quality Backlinks with Real Relationships
Backlinks are still one of the strongest ranking signals. But spammy links do not work anymore. Google and AI tools both favor links from real, trusted sources.
Why It Works
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Sites with high-authority backlinks rank 57% better than those without. (Ahrefs, 2024)
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ChatGPT often sources from trusted domains like news sites or well-known blogs.
How To Do It
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Write guest posts for relevant blogs.
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Partner with niche influencers or creators.
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Share original research or data.
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Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to get quoted in media.
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Join community forums and leave helpful answers with links to your content.
Bonus Tip
Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to find broken links on other sites. Reach out and offer your content as a replacement.
4. Master Internal Linking for Topic Authority
Internal links help Google understand your site’s structure. They also help ChatGPT and similar tools see your pages as part of a wider knowledge base.
Why It Works
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Sites with smart internal linking saw a 40% boost in keyword rankings. (SEOClarity, 2024)
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AI tools favor clusters of content around a topic rather than single pages.
How To Do It
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Group related content into topic clusters. Use one main “pillar” page and link it to supporting pages.
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Make sure every new blog post links to 2 or 3 older ones.
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Use keyword-rich anchor text. For example, say “SEO tools for small business” instead of just “click here.”
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Audit your site every 6 months to fix orphaned pages (pages with no links pointing to them).
Bonus Tip
Use internal links to guide AI tools and search crawlers. The more context they see, the more likely they’ll show your site as a source.
5. Focus on Fast, Mobile-Friendly Web Design
Google and AI tools both check if your site is easy to load and use. A slow or broken site can ruin your rankings and visibility.
Why It Works
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53% of mobile users leave if a page takes more than 3 seconds to load. (Google, 2023)
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Google’s Core Web Vitals are now part of the ranking system.
How To Do It
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Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check speed.
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Compress images before uploading.
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Use mobile-responsive design.
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Avoid pop-ups or heavy plugins.
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Use clean code and reliable hosting.
Bonus Tip
Use schema markup to help AI understand your content better. Tools like Rank Math or Yoast SEO can add this automatically.
SEO That Wins in Any Era
SEO has changed, but it is not dead. In fact, the strategies that worked before are still powerful today if you use them the right way. The trick is to write for humans, update often, build real links, organize your content, and offer a smooth experience.
These evergreen SEO methods will help your site rank higher on Google and show up in AI tools like ChatGPT. Start with one strategy, test what works, and grow from there.
Want to take your SEO game to the next level? Let’s work together. I offer hands-on SEO and AIO optimization services designed to boost your sales and visibility on both Google and AI platforms like ChatGPT.