Does SEO Still Matter in the Age of AI?

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has transformed digital marketing, and nonprofits aren’t exempt. In recent blog posts, Cause Inspired has explored how Google’s AI-powered AI Max campaign type is changing the way Google Ad Grant accounts perform, and how AI is shifting search behavior overall. But there’s one foundational piece that remains as important as ever: Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

If anything, SEO is more critical now in this AI-first world, especially for nonprofits looking to maximize visibility, grow their missions, and make the most of limited marketing budgets. Whether you’re running Google Ad Grant campaigns or simply trying to boost organic traffic, SEO is the key that helps your content connect with the right audience.

Why SEO Still Reigns—Even in an AI World

AI can now write ad copy, predict search intent, and even serve ads to users before they explicitly search. But all of these advances are built on a simple foundation: high-quality, relevant content that aligns with what users are seeking. That’s what SEO is all about.

AI-powered search tools (like Google’s Search Generative Experience or SGE) are starting to display AI-generated summaries right on the search page. These summaries pull data from the most authoritative, relevant sources on the web, meaning if your nonprofit’s content isn’t optimized for search, it likely won’t be referenced at all.

In short: If your website isn’t discoverable, AI won’t find you either.

This is especially true when it comes to Google Ad Grants. Even with tools like AI Max helping to automate campaign performance, your landing pages still need to be optimized. Google favors ads that lead to helpful, relevant, and fast-loading pages. If your SEO isn’t strong, your ads won’t perform well, no matter how much automation is involved.

Want a deeper dive into how AI affects Google Ad Grants? Check out our AI Overview blog post and our AI Max post.

5 SEO Tips for Nonprofits

1. Write for Humans, Optimize for AI
   • AI-powered search tools are getting better at understanding context, tone, and structure. Focus on creating clear, helpful content for your audience and use structured data, headers, and keywords to help search engines understand what the content is about. Additionally, consider using questions in your titles and ensure your content answers these questions.
2. Improve Page Speed and Mobile Friendliness
   • Nonprofits often overlook technical SEO. Make sure your site loads quickly, especially on mobile. Google’s Core Web Vitals are increasingly important in how pages are ranked and served in search (and ads!).
3. Use Keywords Intentionally
   • Think about what your supporters, volunteers, or clients might be typing into Google. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help identify relevant terms so you can naturally sprinkle them in headlines, subheadings, and page text.
4. Optimize Your Google Ad Grant Landing Pages
   • Your Ad Grant campaigns will only succeed if they lead to pages with high-quality content and clear calls to action. Make sure each page is relevant to your intended users, the ad keywords used in your ads, and ensure that it includes the same terminology users are likely to search.
5. Keep Content Fresh and Focused
   • AI thrives on new, regularly updated information. If your site hasn’t been refreshed in a while, it may be less likely to appear in AI-generated summaries or featured results.

SEO Isn’t a One-Time Project, It’s an Ongoing Strategy

Search algorithms and user behaviors are constantly evolving, especially now that AI is accelerating those changes. That means SEO isn’t something your nonprofit can “set and forget.” It requires regular updates, testing, and refinement.

If your team doesn’t have the time or expertise to manage that, you’re not alone. At Cause Inspired, we specialize in helping mission-driven organizations optimize their websites, improve Ad Grant performance, and stay ahead of digital trends, including AI.

Ready to Make Your SEO Work Smarter?

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your strategy to the next level, our team is here to help. Learn more about our services or reach out for a free consultation with one of our dedicated expert consultants.

Together, we can ensure your mission is seen, heard, and supported where it matters most.

Sources:

• Google Search Central – SEO Starter Guide
• Search Engine Journal – How AI Is Changing SEO

HubSpot – The Future of SEO in the Age of AI