SEO Veterans, Has It Really Changed That Much in 10 Years?

Why do some say SEO has barely changed, while others argue it’s evolving fast?

What’s your take on it?

Oh, it’s changed for sure—but not in every way.

Back in the day, keywords and backlinks were king. Now, content quality, user experience, and AI are driving the game.

But the main idea—helping people find what they need—has stayed the same. Google’s overall mission hasn’t shifted, but how they measure success sure has.

If you’re doing 2013 tactics today, you’re probably not doing well. But if you’ve been evolving, the changes feel more gradual.

What are some resources you recommend for staying updated?

Check out “SEO FOMO” by Aleyda Solis for weekly updates and “Search Engine Journal” for detailed articles on new strategies and tools.

What were the 2013 tactics?

Back then, people stuffed keywords everywhere, used exact-match domains, and built links through spammy methods—things that would get you penalized now!

Did these changes happen all at once, or did they roll out slowly over time?

It’s been more of a slow burn. Every year, there’s something new, like AI or algorithm updates, but the biggest shifts happened over time. It adds up, like a snowball effect.

Thanks for the insight!

Same same, but different.

What do you mean by that?

It’s a saying from Southeast Asia that means things are similar but not quite the same.

SEO still revolves around getting people to what they need, but Google’s focus has shifted over time—which makes us adapt. It’s a constant dance between stability and change.

And with AI coming in strong, who knows? Maybe we’ll see a whole new search experience soon.

How often do you find yourself changing your approach?