AI Hasn’t Killed SEO… But The SEO Blog Era IS Ending + Other AI News – Dan Sanchez

Let’s talk about what’s really happening at the intersection of SEO, AI, and online marketing right now. If you feel like you can’t keep up, you’re not alone. Every time I turn around, there’s another headline shouting that SEO is dead, or Google’s in trouble, or that AI is about to make all of us obsolete. Take a breath—there’s a lot of noise, but also a lot of opportunity for those savvy enough to look beyond the panic.

The Real Shift: AI Is Changing Search (But Not Killing SEO)

Recently, there’s been a noticeable change in how people are searching for information. AI search tools are getting smarter, and users are starting to trust the answers they get directly from them, instead of scrolling through traditional search results. Even companies like Apple are acknowledging this: more searches are being done using AI-powered tools, and that’s beginning to affect big players like Google in a measurable way.

The takeaway: SEO isn’t dead, but it’s evolving fast. If you’re still building sites like it’s 2015, you’re going to feel the squeeze.

Why AI Search Is Gaining Ground

Speed: AI powered search delivers direct answers, often without the need to click through ten blue links.
Simplicity: Less time searching, more time getting what you actually want.
User Experience: Modern consumers love concise, clear solutions served up instantly.

I’ve noticed more and more people sharing stories about getting leads and clients who found them through AI platforms—not just through “old school” organic Google results. That’s a big signal that the landscape is shifting.

The SEO Blog Era: Closing a Chapter

For years, blogs packed with keywords were the golden goose for marketers. You could spin up content, optimize it for the right searchable terms, and watch the clicks roll in. That’s becoming less reliable as AI answers move to the forefront, and as search engines themselves start evolving their own content delivery models.

So, what do we do now? Abandoning SEO isn’t the answer, but doubling down on status quo content certainly isn’t either.

My Playbook for the Next Phase of SEO

Focus on Authority and Value: Build content that positions you as the go-to source, not just another answer farm.
Leverage New AI Platforms: Figure out how to get your business featured in AI search tools and answer engines—not just Google.
Think Beyond Keywords: Structured data, unique perspectives, and brand-driven content will stand out over generic blog posts.
Build Relationships: Network effects, personal brand, and community matter more as algorithms get smarter and less reliant on traditional ranking factors.

What This Means for Marketers

Adaption is non-negotiable. I recommend experimenting with ways to integrate AI tools into your marketing mix now—not when you’re forced by a sudden drop in traffic. As an example, I’ve started leveraging AI to optimize outreach, generate ideas, and even handle some client Q&A interactions. The trick is to use these tools for efficiency, not to let them replace your unique value or storytelling.

It’s important to also keep an eye on the business side. Major market shake-ups can affect advertising costs, ROI on traditional campaigns, and even how you pitch marketing proposals to stakeholders. Stay flexible; what works today might need a tweak tomorrow.

Are We All Becoming Developers?

This is another question that’s floating around: “Will the rise of AI mean every marketer needs to code?” In my experience, you don’t need to become a programmer, but you will need a working comfort with these new tools—at least to the point where you can pilot or direct their use within your teams.

Here’s what I recommend learning next:

The basics of AI prompt engineering to get better outputs from tools you already use.
How to integrate AI platforms with your CRM or email automation tools.
What data is being collected through your web properties and how AI can help make sense of it.

Bottom line: Stay curious, keep experimenting, and don’t get stuck clinging to last year’s best practices. AI isn’t here to take your job, but it is changing the rules of the game. Embrace it, and you’ll come out ahead—maybe even with a few new tricks up your sleeve.

Episode Transcript & Magic Chat

Coming soon.