With TikTok trends, Instagram reels, and AI chatbots answering questions instantly, you might wonder: Is Google Search and SEO still worth the investment?
The short answer: Yes. But the game is evolving.
Social Media as a Search Engine?
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and even LinkedIn have become go-to places for discovery, especially for products, services, and trends. People scroll through reels or search hashtags instead of typing queries into Google.
- Visual search is booming.
- Peer recommendations and influencer reviews carry weight.
- Instant answers via chatbots on social platforms add convenience.
Chatbots and AI: Friend or Foe?
AI tools (think ChatGPT or in-app chatbots) offer quick, conversational answers but they often pull from existing indexed content (like websites and blogs).
If your website isn’t there, you’re not in the game.
Why Your Website and SEO Still Matter
- Ownership and Control Social media and chat platforms control algorithms and rules. Your website? Your rules. SEO helps you show up when people search on any platform, including Google and voice assistants.
- Credibility and Depth Social posts are bite-sized. Your website is where you build authority, share detailed info, and convert visitors.
- Cross-Channel Visibility A strong SEO foundation helps content rank across Google, YouTube, and even social search results.
- Data and Insight Websites offer analytics you can’t get from social alone, letting you understand your audience better.
How to Adapt Your SEO Strategy Today
- Focus on intent, not just keywords. What problems is your audience trying to solve?
- Optimise for voice and visual search. Think of natural language and images.
- Create content for multiple platforms. Blogs for Google, videos for social, FAQs for chatbots.
- Integrate social and SEO. Share website content on socials and use social insights to inform SEO.
Wondering how to future-proof your digital presence? Creative62 combines smart SEO, website design, and social strategy to keep you visible.