Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Welcome to Xponent21's Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Insights, your essential guide to mastering SEO strategies that drive results. In this category, you'll discover expert insights and the latest trends in on-page and off-page SEO, technical optimization, AI SEO, and how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of search algorithms. We cover everything from foundational practices to advanced techniques designed to improve your rankings on Google and other search engines. Whether you're aiming to enhance your site's visibility, boost organic traffic, or adapt to emerging SEO trends like AI search optimization, our articles offer the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. Unlock the secrets to dominating search engine results and ensure your business stands out in the digital landscape.
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AI SEO and the SaaS Visibility Shift: Preparing for AI-Driven Decision-Makers

June 4, 2025
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Will Melton
On a recent afternoon, a marketing director searches Google for “best subscription management software.” Instead of the usual scroll of blue links, he’s greeted by an AI-generated summary at the top of the page. It lists a few familiar tools with pros and cons, all before the first organic result. Later, he asks ChatGPT the same question and gets an…

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From SEO to AEO: The Wake-Up Call Businesses Need to Survive the AI Search Shift

June 4, 2025
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Will Melton
Search engines aren’t gateways anymore. They’re filters—and AI is the one deciding what gets through. It determines what people see when they search, how answers are framed, and which brands stay visible. That shift has made traditional SEO feel slower, less reliable, and harder to measure in real time. If your business isn’t actively working to be recognized across AI-powered…

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Screenshot of Google Marketing Live 2025 announcement of ads in Google AI search results.

Ads Are Now in AI Search: How Google’s AI Mode Redefines SEO and Paid Visibility

May 27, 2025
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Will Melton
We knew it was coming: Google’s 2025 Marketing Live confirmed that AI search results will now include ads, changing the game for marketers. Google announced that its new AI Overviews (AI-generated search summaries) will now include Search and Shopping ads on desktop, and that the recently launched AI Mode in Google Search will also show ads. In practice, this means…

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Screenshot from Google's live stream of Google I/O showing off AI Mode

Google’s AI Mode Just Changed Everything. Here’s What Businesses Need to Know

May 21, 2025
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Will Melton
After 27 years of Google, the era of search is over. Google’s launch of AI Mode—its full generative search experience—marks the official end of traditional search as we knew it. If you’ve built your business on organic traffic from Google, it’s past time to reassess everything. This is not a drill. It’s the acceleration of a trend that’s been in…

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AI Overview Example of "AI Search Optimization" Showing Xponent21 as the Top Source

10 Leading SEO Agencies Helping Brands Rank in AI Search and Beyond

May 12, 2025
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Will Melton
Search is undergoing a seismic shift. Traditional search engine optimization (SEO) is no longer just about getting blue links on Google’s first page – it’s about earning a spot in AI-powered answers and summaries. Modern search platforms like Google’s AI Overviews, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Perplexity AI use generative AI to answer user queries directly. This means B2B marketing…

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How to Optimize Your Website and Content to Rank in AI Search Results

April 29, 2025
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Will Melton
Latest update: May 31, 2025 As AI-powered search engines like Perplexity, Google’s AI Overviews—and now AI Mode—as well as tools such as ChatGPT continue to reshape how users find information, content creators must evolve their SEO strategies to keep up. In 2024, 60% of Google searches never left the search engine results page (SERP), underscoring the need for tactics that…

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Cartoon of a robot responding to a man's prompt with autonomous decisions and purchases.

AI SEO Strategies for Marketing Leaders: A Practical Guide to Achieving Top Citations in AI

April 19, 2025
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Will Melton
As search experiences continue to evolve, one thing is clear: content that gets pulled into AI-generated responses isn’t just optimized—it’s intelligently structured, deeply authoritative, and incredibly human-centric.​ Implementing effective AI SEO strategies is crucial in this landscape. AI search tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Microsoft’s Copilot, as well as Perplexity, Claude, and ChatGPT, prioritize clear, well-organized content…

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SEO Agency Richmond

Finding the Best SEO Agencies in Richmond, VA: A Collaborative Guide for 2025

April 1, 2025
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Will Melton
The Richmond SEO Agency Landscape is Diverse Richmond, VA, boasts a diverse and thriving marketing community, with agencies and creatives ranging from one-man shops to agencies that produce significant national campaigns. As businesses in Richmond increasingly recognize the importance of a strong digital presence, the demand for effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services has surged. However, finding the best Richmond…

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Will AI-Written Content Hurt Your SEO? Here’s What No One’s Telling You

March 11, 2025
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Will Melton
If you’ve heard that “AI-generated content is bad for SEO,” you’re not alone. We’ve had clients come to us worried that using AI to assist with content creation will get their website penalized by Google or cause their search rankings to take a hit. They heard it from “a guy.” Let’s set the record straight: AI-generated content isn’t the problem.…

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The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 2: Define Your Business Case

March 2, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success Before you dive into AI-driven SEO, you need a clear reason for doing it. Without a solid business case, you risk chasing rankings without a strategy that delivers tangible business value. AI search is a powerful tool—but how will you use it to grow your brand? This…

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