Keeping Up with SEO in 2025: AI, ChatGPT, and eCommerce Trends
- Sahil Garg
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Search engine optimization is evolving faster than ever. In 2025, we’re seeing major shifts in how content is discovered and ranked — especially with AI and eCommerce integrations shaping the landscape.
How To Rank In ChatGPT In 2026
Industry experts highlighted in a recent webinar that ranking well within ChatGPT requires a fresh content strategy. It’s becoming essential to build unique, in-depth content focused around key themes. Earlier in the year, platforms like Wikipedia and Reddit were frequently cited by ChatGPT, but their influence is declining as citation diversity increases.
Google Removes the “&num=100” Search Parameter
At this stage, access is extremely limited. Google is:
Automatically detecting which social profiles belong to a website
Displaying only those verified profiles
Not allowing manual linking yet
There is no rollout timeline, no public documentation, and no clarity on when more properties will be added. This is still very much an experimental feature.
OpenAI Teams Up With Etsy & Shopify for ChatGPT Checkout
In late September, OpenAI announced partnerships with Etsy and Shopify that allow merchants to complete purchases directly in ChatGPT. While this could reduce traffic to merchant websites, it creates a smoother buying experience and a new sales channel for eCommerce businesses.
ChatGPT Reduces Citations from Reddit & Wikipedia
Analysis from AI tracking tools shows that major sources like Reddit and Wikipedia are being referenced less frequently in ChatGPT responses. Instead, a broader range of sites is now being used, signalling a shift in how AI models surface information.
What This Means for SEO Content
These developments reinforce one core truth: high-quality content matters now more than ever. To stay competitive in search (and AI-driven discovery), businesses should focus on:
Making content crawlable and logically linked across pages
Regularly refreshing existing content
Building authority with valuable, original material
Recent industry analysis shows that original content creation has the most significant positive impact on SEO performance compared with technical tweaks, keyword optimisation, or internal linking.
Key Takeaways for Your SEO Strategy in 2026:
Allocate resources effectively for content planning, writing, and optimisation.
Conduct regular technical audits, including speed and schema checks.
Update and refine existing content and keywords over time.
How Quest Digital Can Help
Staying updated with fast-moving SEO changes is tough. That’s where digital experience experts come in. By partnering with an SEO team that continuously tracks industry trends and adapts strategies accordingly, your business can:
Improve search visibility
Compete in AI-driven discovery channels
Strengthen your technical and content foundations
If you’re curious how these 2025 developments might impact your SEO approach — reach out for personalised insights.
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