Google’s AI Mode Is Killing the Blue Links—Now What?
Ranking #1 is no longer the holy grail. The classic blue-link era is fading as Google shifts from being a search engine to a response engine—serving instant AI-generated answers instead of lists of results. Ruchi breaks down what this means for SEOs, marketers, and brands that have relied on traffic models now under threat.
Timestamps
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 | Introduction to Performance SEO Unpacked |
| 00:37 | Guest host Joseph Lewin interviews Ruchi Pardal |
| 01:49 | What is Google AI mode? |
| 03:30 | How AI mode changes SEO rankings |
| 05:30 | Why Google is moving toward AI |
| 06:56 | Adapting SEO for the AI era |
| 08:47 | Branding and visibility are the new SEO priorities |
| 10:41 | Three key shifts every SEO must make |
| 14:31 | The attribution challenge in AI search |
| 17:08 | Why AI-driven traffic may convert better |
| 18:23 | Top 3 practical actions for businesses |
| 21:51 | Traditional SEO remains the foundation |
“SEO has always been about visibility, but AI Mode forces us to redefine what visibility means. It’s no longer just about being ranked—it’s about being referenced.” — Ruchi Pardal
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, you’ll discover how Google’s shift to AI Mode is reshaping SEO—from the decline of blue links to the rise of zero-click answers. Learn why citations and brand mentions now outweigh rankings, how Ruchi Pardal’s 3-part framework (Visibility Audit, Content Clarity, Authority Building) prepares teams for this shift, and why attribution must expand beyond CTR to impressions, direct traffic, and AI citations.
Join our email list to get early access to new episodes, hear about upcoming guests, and unlock bonus content you won’t want to miss.
Related Podcasts
AI-Driven Content Strategy That Works
Discover how Rob Dougherty, Senior Director of SEO Content at Kiteworks, leverages AI to produce 100% of their content. Learn how this approach enhances efficiency, maintains quality, and drives measurable results in a competitive
How Hubspot Fixed Its Homepage SEO
Big brands face SEO setbacks too. Christina Clark, Product SEO Lead at HubSpot, shares how her team resolved their homepage’s sudden disappearance from Google—highlighting key lessons in technical SEO, internal linking, and cr
People Skills Win Enterprise SEO
Enterprise SEO success isn’t just about rankings—it’s about trust, stakeholder alignment, and people management. Sam Page, Head of SEO at InMotion Hosting, reveals mindset shifts, data-driven communication, and real-world st
Master International SEO
International SEO success is more than technical strategies—it’s cultural. Amir Alsayegh, Organic Growth Advisor-SEO at Crocs, shares insights into cultural nuances, keyword localization, and actionable tips to scale effective
Authority Signals in AI-First SEO with Chris Reynolds from Indeed.com
SEO authority metrics are evolving—links are out, mentions and AI visibility are in. Chris Reynolds, SEO Director at Indeed, explains how enterprise brands should track brand mentions, optimize for generative AI, and measure imp
