How does AI impact social media and search engine strategies?

AI prioritises intent satisfaction, original content and audience relevance. Automated tactics must be paired with authentic engagement to grow true digital brand reach.

Why combine social media strategy with search engine optimisation?

Combining strategies ensures integrated visibility, organic discovery, and reinforcement of brand messaging across both channels, boosting credibility and audience growth.

What’s the best way to grow regional brand engagement in 2025?

Human-driven storytelling, local content, and adaptive algorithm strategies. Engagement, relevance and trust matter more than volume or automation alone.

What metrics are most important for social and search in the AI-first era?

Intent satisfaction, audience interactions, cross-platform reach, trust signals, and quality traffic/conversions are now prioritized over vanity metrics like pure follower count.

Should automation replace creative engagement?

No. Automation is best used for scheduling, reporting, and support. Brand growth demands ongoing creative, authentic, and human-centred dialogue.

Social Media as Search Engines: Post-September 2025 Google Update

If your business reaches Albury, Wodonga, Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta or Wagga Wagga, social-powered search is already happening around you. Don’t let competitors own the conversation. Embrace cross-platform content, fuel engagement, and close the gap between social and SEO to future-proof your visibility and leads.

Key Takeaway

Social platforms are now vital search engines. For Gen Z and Millennials, TikTok and YouTube are outpacing traditional web search for discovery and recommendations. Google’s latest algorithm overhaul means social signals and platform engagement directly impact your SEO performance - so audience-focused, social-powered content can now make or break your online visibility.

Social Platforms Overtake Search - What the Data Shows

TikTok has become the preferred search engine for over half of Gen Z: 74% use TikTok to search, and 51% choose it over Google for product, place, or lifestyle queries[21].
Video authenticity, real-world reviews, and trending challenges power decision-making.
YouTube holds its place as the globe’s second search engine: With 2.5+ billion users, it is the top resource for “how-to’s,” reviews, and deep research - still a powerhouse for brand discovery and trust.[26]
31% of consumers now use social media to find answers first - and for Gen Z plus Millennials, nearly 49% say platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are their preferred starting points over Google.[25]
What users search for on social: Product recommendations, reviews, and “real” experiences, as well as trending topics, tutorials, and local business suggestions, are dominating search behaviour on social media.[22]

Google’s September 2025 Update: What Changed?

User Intent & Journey Completion: Google now ranks pages higher if they fully answer queries, ending “keyword-stuffed” web trickery. Incomplete answers are punished.[6]
AI Content & Social Signals: Google interprets trending social media content, reviews, and even hashtagged conversations as signals of real authority. Social virality now influences what ranks.[33]
SERP Data Shrinkage: Tools and SEOs can no longer track positions beyond the first page (the “&num=100” URL parameter was disabled in September), making it critical to show up in the top 10.[11]
Mobile & Video Domination: Up to 48% of mobile results are now AI-powered answers or video panels.[12]

How Social Signals Now Influence Google Rankings

Indirect, but powerful: Social likes, shares, and comments aren’t counted as “hard” ranking factors by Google, but create a domino effect - amplifying visibility, engagement, and trusted backlinks, which in turn lift your rankings[36].
Branded search boosts: High-authority, active social profiles dominate the top of search results, building trust and driving direct traffic to your business.[41]
Content speed: Trending topics or viral posts drive faster web crawling and indexing by Google.[36]
An integrated approach is now mandatory: For local and regional businesses, a strong social-SEO synergy is not optional - your future clients are searching across both realms.[40]

Social-SEO Tactics for Albury, Wodonga, and Regional Victoria–NSW

1. Platform-Driven Local Optimisation

Optimise business identities on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, including consistent use of “Albury”, “Wodonga”, and local tags.
Include real community, staff, or client visuals to tap into local authenticity.

2. Hashtag & Community-First Approach

Use targeted hashtags like #AlburyWodonga and #RegionalVictoria alongside trending niche tags to boost social discoverability and local relevance.

3. Video-Led Content

Create short-form showcase videos - local business spotlights, reviews, and micro-tutorials tailored for rapid sharing on Reels, TikTok, Shorts, and Facebook.

4. Community & User-Generated Engagement

Incentivise authentic testimonials, dual-branded challenges, and hands-on community contributions to drive both visibility and trust.

Turn Social Search into Local Growth

If your business reaches Albury, Wodonga, Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta or Wagga Wagga, social-powered search is already happening around you. Don’t let competitors own the conversation. Embrace cross-platform content, fuel engagement, and close the gap between social and SEO to future-proof your visibility and leads.

Curious about how Red Dust Snow Studio turns social-SEO trends into real business results? Get in touch for a local discovery strategy.