Is SEO actually dead in 2025?

No – *traditional* SEO is dead. The old keyword + backlink formula no longer guarantees rankings. SEO now rewards brand authority, real-world proof, and content AI systems can trust.

How has AI changed SEO?

AI systems like Google SGE and Perplexity now answer directly in search results. To win, websites must be the source of original data, visuals, and expert insights for AI to cite.

Entity SEO focuses on brands, people, products, and topics as recognized “entities” in Google’s Knowledge Graph. When Google knows who you are → you rank faster for your niche.

Does keyword research still matter?

Yes, but it’s intent-driven now: I. Long-tail conversations II. Use-case specific queries III. AI follow-up questions Keywords matter… but their relationships matter more.

Can I still use AI tools to create content?

Yes but only if: You add human expertise, you include real proof (screenshots, photos, tests), and you structure data properly. AI assists, but human credibility ranks.

What type of content ranks best in 2025?

Content with: Original research, Visuals + videos, Actionable outcomes, and Live or updated data. If multiple tools can auto-generate the same content → it won’t rank.

Do backlinks still help?

Yes, but brand mentions + topical authority are now more impactful. It’s not just the link — who mentions you matters.

How do I optimize for AI Overviews?

Add FAQ + HowTo schema, use clear answers with proof/statistics, publish unique images (not stock), and build entity connections. Goal: be cited inside AI results.

What are the newest ranking signals Google uses?

Engagement & satisfaction metrics, Entity authority, Actual conversions, Updated data freshness, and Real-world experience symbols (E-E-A-T). Google now cares what happens after the click.

Is SEO worth investing in 2025?

1000% yes — for those adapting. AI will remove low-quality competition, making authority websites win bigger.

Digital Marketing - roundtable.harshrathi.com

Why Traditional SEO Is Dead and What Actually Works in 2025

Leave a Comment / Digital Marketing, SEO / Harsh Rathi

Written by Harsh Rathi – Digital Marketer Founder @ Roundtable.harshrathi.com Let’s be honest… The old SEO playbook is officially in the trash. You know the one: Congrats. That strategy now ranks you…on page “nobody will ever see this again”. Because in 2025, SEO isn’t really “Search Engine Optimization” anymore.It’s Search Experience Optimization. Google changed.User behavior […]

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When Customers Build Platforms Against Your Brand — What r/FuckZepto Taught Me About Online Reputation Risk

Leave a Comment / Digital Marketing / Harsh Rathi

IntroductionDuring research for my capstone project on Zepto (founded by Aadit Palicha), I stumbled on a striking case of modern digital activism: a subreddit called r/FuckZepto with more than 33,000 members. This online community collects customer grievances, surfaces unresolved complaints, and amplifies negative experiences — sometimes for years. This subreddit is more than venting. It’s

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India’s 10-Minute Grocery Gold Rush: Why Blinkit, Zepto & Instamart Are Battling for Your Midnight Basket

Leave a Comment / Digital Marketing / Harsh Rathi

Industry Analysis Report: India’s Quick-Commerce Sector By Harsh Rathi | Focused on Zepto Executive Summary India’s quick‑commerce (Q‑commerce) market has leapt from US $0.3 billion in 2022 to US $7.1 billion in FY 2024‑25 and now contributes 20 % of total e‑commerce orders. Consulting firm Kearney projects the grocery sub‑segment alone to triple to ₹1.5–1.7 lakh crore (US $18–20 bn) by 2027. Blinkit currently leads with an estimated

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Official vs Unofficial WhatsApp Business API: The Ultimate Guide for Small Businesses, Developers, and Marketers

Leave a Comment / Digital Marketing / Harsh Rathi

Official vs Unofficial WhatsApp Business API: The Ultimate Guide for Small Businesses, Developers, and Marketers Introduction WhatsApp has become an indispensable communication channel for businesses of all sizes. With over 2 billion monthly active users globally, it’s the world’s most popular messaging app – a quarter of the global population is on WhatsApp. Small business

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