The rise of AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Perplexity has left many wondering if traditional SEO still holds weight. The short answer: yes—more than ever. As AI systems evolve, they increasingly rely on high-ranking, trustworthy websites to generate accurate responses. That means businesses, especially dental practices, can’t afford to neglect SEO. In fact, they need to refine, sharpen, and enhance their marketing strategies to stay competitive in this new landscape.

Drawing from key insights in the latest Search Engine Journal analysis, Priority Networks offers expert commentary on how these changes impact dental SEO, dental SEO marketing, and dental SEO services. Each point below explains not only what’s happening but how dental practices can adapt and lead. (Source: Search Engine Journal, Is SEO Still Relevant In The AI Era? New Research Says Yes, Matt G. Southern, May 28, 2025, https://www.searchenginejournal.com/is-seo-still-relevant-in-the-ai-era-new-research-says-yes/547929/ ).

Top Rankings Are Tied to AI Search Results

Websites ranked #1 on Google are found in AI-generated answers 25% of the time, showing a direct connection between traditional SEO and visibility in AI-powered platforms.

Priority Networks explains, “Dental practices need to recognize that the foundation of online visibility still begins with Google. AI tools don’t operate in a vacuum—they pull from what’s already considered authoritative. If a dental website isn’t in the top search results, it’s practically invisible to both human and AI users. Consistent dental SEO work—site speed, mobile optimization, local SEO, keyword strategy, and content quality—directly feeds into AI discoverability. The result is twofold: increased exposure from traditional search, and greater inclusion in AI-generated patient queries like ‘best dentist near me’ or ‘how to treat tooth pain.’”

AI Pulls From High-Ranking, Relevant Content

AI search engines use a funnel approach: they identify top-ranked sources first, then extract data to generate their answers. The initial visibility is still governed by Google’s algorithm.

Priority Networks highlights, “Dental SEO services that focus solely on keyword stuffing or outdated link strategies will fall short. AI doesn’t just skim the surface; it looks for trust signals—clear structure, topical depth, updated medical content, and reputable linking. For dental professionals, this means each service page, blog post, or FAQ must be crafted with both ranking potential and contextual authority. That level of optimization ensures AI doesn’t just find your page—it chooses it. Practices that ignore this dynamic are letting competitors own the future of patient discovery.”

Broader Content Increases AI Visibility

AI systems don’t stop at one query. They run multiple related searches to shape well-rounded answers. That means content that performs well for related keywords has more opportunities to surface.

Priority Networks shares, “Dental SEO marketing should adopt a topic cluster model. Instead of a single post on ‘dental implants,’ practices should build a network of supporting content—like articles on ‘implant recovery,’ ‘cost breakdown,’ ‘common concerns,’ and ‘success rates.’ This ecosystem feeds into AI’s query fan-out behavior. It doesn’t just position one page as an answer; it creates a digital footprint across all related questions. In an age where AI is piecing together complex answers, having a broad, consistent presence across related terms is no longer optional—it’s strategic survival.”

Specificity Beats Generality in AI SEO

Short, focused answers outperform sprawling content in AI’s selection process. It favors concise, question-targeted content rather than catch-all pages.

Priority Networks expresses, “This is where dental SEO strategy needs to evolve fast. Long, vague pages about ‘dental care’ won’t make the cut. AI tools are scouring the web for laser-focused answers. A page titled ‘What to expect during a wisdom tooth extraction’ with a bullet-point list, recovery tips, and pre-visit advice will outperform a general oral surgery overview every time. Dental practices should structure their SEO content with this micro-targeting mindset—answer the exact question the patient would ask and do it with clarity, accuracy, and intent. That’s how you get picked up by AI-driven platforms.”

Only a Fraction of Top Results Are Used—Make Them Count

Even among high-ranking pages, only a quarter make it into AI answers. That means competition is tighter, and only the most optimized content earns a spot.

Priority Networks notes, “It’s not just about ranking anymore—it’s about being the best of the best. For dental practices, that means zeroing in on quality and relevance like never before. Titles must match patient queries exactly. Meta descriptions need to reflect value. On-page content should be medically accurate, scannable, and enriched with schema markup and location data. That’s the difference between being found and being forgotten. Dental SEO services that overlook these elements are wasting time and budget. Precision wins in the AI era.”

Final Thoughts on AI and SEO

The shift toward AI in search doesn’t replace SEO—it makes it more essential. Google still serves as the backbone of AI sourcing, and strategic SEO is the pathway to visibility in both traditional and AI-generated results.

Priority Networks concludes, “Some may assume that AI reduces the need for SEO. That’s a dangerous misconception. AI tools are powered by what they find—meaning if your dental practice doesn’t show up in Google’s upper ranks, you’re invisible to AI, too. Dental SEO is not just relevant—it’s foundational. It now determines whether a practice appears in tomorrow’s patient search journey. Dental practices should invest in forward-thinking SEO strategies now, or risk being digitally obsolete in an AI-first future.”

As search evolves, so must your strategy. Dental SEO remains the bridge between your practice and the patients searching for care—whether they’re typing into Google or asking an AI assistant.