Is 'AI SEO' Just Rebranded SEO, or a Genuinely New Discipline?

[ethanmiller]

A recent guide from Megrisoft breaks down the AI SEO ecosystem into six stages — from technical foundations to entity development to authority-building through Digital PR and brand mentions. It's a compelling framework, but it raises a bigger question: are we watching SEO evolve, or watching an industry manufacture new terminology for services that smart agencies have always offered?

Drop your take below — especially if you've run campaigns targeting AI Overviews or generative search results and have data (good or bad) to share.

[KayleighCurtis]

I think it's a bit of both. The fundamentals of SEO—quality content, technical optimization, and authority—haven't changed. What's different is how AI search surfaces information. The new terminology can be useful if it reflects real strategy, but results and measurable visibility matter far more than buzzwords.

[alvinbing]

I see AI SEO as the next evolution of SEO, not just a rebrand. Technical SEO, quality content, and authority remain the foundation, but AI search rewards brands that are recognized across the web, not just websites that rank well.

[amelia]

I see AI SEO as an evolution of SEO rather than a completely new discipline. The fundamentals—creating high-quality content, strong technical SEO, and building authority—remain the same. The difference is that content now needs to be structured for AI systems, with clear answers, strong entity signals, and trustworthy sources. The core principles haven't changed, but the way we optimise for visibility certainly has.