# SEO in the Age of AI: What CMOs and CEOs Need to Know About AEO and GEO

Published 2025-11-20 · Updated 2026-03-12 · Professional AV on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/pro-av/seo-in-the-age-of-ai-what-cmos-and-ceos-need-to-know

> Marketing leaders face mounting pressure to adapt search strategies as AI-powered platforms fragment how customers find information, yet the fundamentals of org

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In an era when AI-driven search experiences are reshaping how customers discover brands, marketing leaders are navigating a confusing landscape of new acronyms, shifting behaviors, and bold industry predictions. Despite [widespread claims that "SEO is dead,"](https://www.techtarget.com/searchcontentmanagement/feature/Is-SEO-dead-How-GenAI-changed-search) the data tells a different story: [organic search traffic](https://www.monsterinsights.com/seo-statistics/) has continued to grow even as platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude expand their footprint. Today's discussion arrives at a moment when CMOs are being pressed by CEOs, boards, and agencies to "do something about AI search"—often without clarity, context, or a grounded strategy.

So the real question is: What actually matters now for leaders who want to stay visible—and competitive—as search evolves from SEO into an ecosystem that includes Answer Engines (AEO) and Generative Engines (GEO)?

Welcome to [*Springloaded Strategies](https://marketscale.com/shows/springloaded-strategies/).* In this first episode, host [Jason Dyer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrdyer/) sits down with **Tom Dehnel**, SEO consultant and Partner at **Chameleon Collective**, to unpack what's changed, what hasn't, and what brands must do to win in both traditional and AI-driven search. Together, they explore consumer behavior shifts, content strategy, the role of backlinks in the LLM era, misconceptions around AEO/GEO, and how CMOs and CEOs should guide their teams through the next five years of search transformation.

**Top insights from the talk…**

-  **AI search isn't replacing SEO—it's adding to it.** Organic search traffic is *growing*, not shrinking, and brands with strong SEO fundamentals are being rewarded in AI-generated search experiences. Organic search traffic is growing, not shrinking, and brands with strong SEO fundamentals are being rewarded in AI-generated search experiences. 
-  **Content strategy must shift toward mid- and bottom-funnel value.** LLMs now answer basic "what is/how to" queries, while high-intent buyers still click through to websites—meaning brands must create deeper, more purposeful content. 
-  **Authority matters more than ever.** Backlinks, branded mentions, PR placements, and expert-driven content play a critical role in training AI engines to trust—and recommend—your brand. Backlinks, branded mentions, PR placements, and expert-driven content play a critical role in training AI engines to trust—and recommend—your brand. 

### About the Guest

**Tom Dehnel** is an accomplished SEO consultant who has led organic search strategy for high-growth startups, public unicorns with 10M+ annual visitors, major financial institutions, and well-known consumer brands. He specializes in technical SEO, content strategy, keyword development, link building, and comprehensive SEO audits, drawing on experience co-founding and successfully exiting his own SEO-driven business. As a long-time Partner at **Chameleon Collective** and a consultant to companies like **Okta**, **Amplitude**, **Rhythm Energy**, and **CompTIA**, Tom helps marketing leaders maximize long-term organic visibility through expert guidance and high-impact execution.

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