SGE Will Kill SEO or Not?
On the 14th of May 2024, Google officially announced that the Search Generative Experience (SGE) is now live in the US search results and will continue rolling out until the end of 2024. SGE means if you search anything on Google, you will get an answer at the very top like a featured snippet or snapshot. You don’t need to click on any other websites/URLs for further information. So, will this be the end of SEO as we know it? SEO means to rank your website on top of the search engine to generate the objective of the website. Let’s find out! In this article, we will discuss whether SGE will kill SEO or not.
What is SGE?
SGE is a technology that uses AI and algorithms to generate results on Google based on user search queries. It was announced in 2023 and started rolling out in May 2024. SGE uses data and machine learning to provide answers to users’ search queries at the top of the search results page as a featured snippet or snapshot.
However, one important thing to note here is that SGE will copy the content from your articles and present it in a more structured way at the top of Google if you search for anything. If you click on the right side, you will get to know about the sources from where the content has been taken by SGE.
How SGE is Going to Impact SEO?
Previously, when we searched for anything on Google, we would get a list of websites providing information related to the topic. This increased the chance of clicks and required more time and effort to find the answer a user wanted. SGE will provide answers at the top of search results, thus reducing the time and effort for a user. Google will use a machine learning algorithm to display parts of your content at the top of the search results page, giving users the answers without them needing to visit any other website.
For example, if you search for more complex questions, SGE will take data from 5-6 articles related to the queries and present it to you in a more structured way, combining the answers into points and with the sources too. Basically, what Google is doing is reducing the time for users to check 3-4 sources to get full information on the queries.
Yes, SGE is going to impact SEO. However, users will still have to click and go to the website to get the full details.
Difference between SGE and SEO
| Feature | SGE Example | SEO Example |
| How it works | AI generates direct answers at the top of search results. | Websites are optimized to rank higher in search results. |
| User Interaction | User asks a question and gets an instant answer. | User searches and clicks on a website link to get detailed information. |
| Impact on Traffic | May reduce clicks on websites since answers are provided directly. | Increases website traffic by ranking higher in search results. |
| When it works best | Excluding sentimental niches like health and defense, it works best for any form of queries. | Complex queries like “How to build a website?” where detailed steps are required. |
| When it doesn’t work | For health and defense niches. | When the search query is very straightforward and needs a quick answer. |
Conclusion
SGE is a significant change in how Google provides information to users. It offers quick answers directly at the top of the search results. It impacts the traditional SEO approach by reducing the need for users to click on websites. However, users will still visit websites, as the answers generated by SGE are taken from other websites. Users will get the source, increasing the possibility of clicking and spending time on websites for detailed information. So, while SGE will change the landscape of SEO, it will not entirely kill it. Websites must adapt by providing comprehensive content that addresses users’ needs so that some part of their content is taken up by SGE. Thus ranking the website at the top.
Ready to Boost Your SEO with SGE?
Don’t let SGE changes leave you behind. Partner with Content Ladder, your trusted digital marketing agency, to stay ahead of the curve.
Visit: contentladder.in
Email: info@contentladder.in
Call: 9330576282 / 8420588781
Transform your online presence today!