Business Owner Survey: Sentiment and Statistics on SEO & LLM Visibility

Allison Hadley

By Allison Hadley

SEO might as well stand for “search everywhere optimization” in 2025. AI search and LLM visibility is increasingly a must-have for any brand, and SEO still remains a reliable way to drive traffic to your business. 

We wanted to know how small business owners were navigating this changing digital marketing landscape as either solopreneurs or owners of small firms, where marketing is typically a DIY affair. To do so, we surveyed over 800 self-identified entrepreneurs and small business owners on how they felt about the state of search, how they were adapting their marketing efforts and budgets for AI/LLM visibility, and what role SEO plays in all this.

SEO is Still a Must-Have for Businesses

Statistics on small business SEO tactics by Digital Third Coast

Business has been, for the most part, usual for small business owners: 37% said their 2025 is largely the same as 2024, while 29% said it was worse and 32% said it was better. How does digital marketing play into this? 

83% of small business owners agree that SEO still has value in the 2025 search environment. Over half actively incorporate SEO in their marketing strategy, and a smaller but still considerable share (42%) have a dedicated budget for SEO efforts, tools, and potentially staffing. 

This pays off: 1 in 5 attribute SEO for the majority of their business. 

While 13% reduced their SEO spend in 2025 (by an average of 31%), the majority are holding steady or increasing investment. 

As for LLM visibility, there is concern: 35% of those who say they understood the differences between SEO and GEO (generative engine optimization) are anxious about the impact of AI search on their business. 

How Business Owners are Using AI for SEO

Statistics on small business AI tool utilization by Digital Third Coast

AI chatbots and tools are proving a great ally for business owners looking for assistance in their SEO efforts. Two in 5 have used AI to help them with SEO, and of them:

  • 34% invested more into AI tools and decreased other costs
  • 78% said AI made a positive difference 
  • 94% say AI is a good SEO assistant

Of course, most do take AI recommendations for SEO with a grain of salt. While 28% trust AI suggestions categorically, 72% – the vast majority- trust but verify recommendations via research. 

Another 18% of those who incorporate AI tools increased their marketing budget all around. Interestingly, the higher the self-rated SEO expertise among these entrepreneurs, the more likely they were to use AI tools in their SEO efforts. 

Statistics on small business AI tool use by Digital Third Coast

Owners are also using AI beyond just for SEO purposes; 65% say they use AI tools in their business, and 11% have gone so far as to replace workers with AI tools. Most– 60%– say AI tools make running their business easier. 

Interestingly, 75% of those who say their business has been better this year also embraced AI tools to run their business.

A Third of Business Owners are Anxious about LLM Visibility

Business owner sentiment on AI search by Digital Third Coast

AI search, in many ways, is uncharted territory. We as SEOs don’t know exact ranking factors ChatGPT and other tools use, but we do have some ideas- high quality, helpful content seems to rank, no matter where. 

Understandably, 1 in 3 business owners are anxious about how AI search and the changed landscape will affect their business, but they’re not ignorant: two thirds say they understand the difference between GEO and SEO. 

While some might be anxious, they’re also optimistic: 39% believe AI search will ultimately benefit their business, and most (48%) think it won’t have any effect. Only 13% think it will be bad. 

When asked how they consider SEO, GEO, and more, the majority (50%) said that a combination of Google visibility and LLM visibility is ideal, followed by 35% sticking with SEO, 8% committing to AI search, and 8% saying neither was the most important to them. 

Key Takeaway: SEO in 2025 Is Hybrid—Powered by AI and Still Grounded in Search

Small businesses aren’t abandoning SEO for the newness of AI, but instead diversifying their approach to being found online. They’re blending traditional search optimization with AI-powered SEO tools, verifying AI insights with hands-on knowledge, and preparing for an AI-augmented search future.

For marketers and business owners alike, staying competitive in 2025 means understanding both how SEO strategies are changing—and how AI can help you stay ahead.

Want to be in good hands in this brave new world of online search? Reach out today for a consultation.

Methodology & Fair Use

In October 2025, we surveyed 803 self-identified business owners on their AI and SEO tactics. 50% were men, 49% women, and 1% were nonbinary; ages ranged from 19-78 with an average age of 44. 

For media inquiries, reach out to media@digitalthirdcoast.net

Fair Use

When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing digitalthirdcoast.com.

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