From Rankings To Relevance: A New SEO Framework for D2C Growth in 2025

Organic search isn’t what it used to be, and most ecommerce brands are feeling it. In this episode, Greg Shuey explores why traditional SEO strategies that once fueled predictable growth are losing their effectiveness. With AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and platforms like Reddit and TikTok reshaping how consumers discover and evaluate products, simply ranking for keywords is no longer enough. Greg breaks down how visibility is shifting from search engines to a fragmented discovery ecosystem, and why brands must rethink where and how they show up.

Listeners will learn how “relevance” has become the new driver of discoverability. Greg explains that true relevance means aligning content with user intent across every stage of the buyer journey, not just stuffing keywords on a page. He shares a detailed case study of a client who shifted from pure keyword optimization to a relevance-first content strategy, resulting in a 170% lift in AI overview visibility and significant increases in People Also Ask impressions and LLM mentions. From FAQs to competitor comparisons to forum participation, Greg outlines exactly how they made it happen.

The episode wraps with a practical four-step roadmap that any brand can start using today: gather real customer questions, repurpose them into helpful content, link everything internally to build topical authority, and show up in third-party conversations with intent to educate, not sell. Whether you’re a one-person marketing team or leading a seven-figure D2C brand, this episode gives you the mindset and method to compete in a world where search is no longer the sole gateway to discovery.

Episode Links

Greg Shuey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-shuey/

Ahrefs: https://ahrefs.com/

Sparktoro: https://sparktoro.com/

Alsoasked: https://alsoasked.com/

https://www.stryde.com/from-rankings-to-relevance-new-seo-framework/