Why A Layered Approach with SEO & PR Works in the AI Era for Interior Designers

In Eli Schwartz’s Substack, Should There Be AEO Agencies, he addresses why your agency should be doing more for you than just producing content to boost your SEO and AEO.

Before AI, some SEO practices were treated like an assembly line, where if you created enough content targeting long-tail keywords, your SEO goals were within reach. Job done, or so many were told.

Today, large language models (LLMs) generate content faster and more affordably than ever. Whether you manage content in-house or outsource your SEO and AEO, your strategy should move beyond simply churning out posts.

What should you expect from effective SEO & AEO? Sustainable business growth.

In the AI era, growth takes on new dimensions for small businesses, including interior designers. While content output is tangible, true business growth is multifaceted and often less immediately quantifiable. Being able to define what “growth” means for your firm is a big piece of the puzzle. Does that translate to qualified leads, higher conversion rates, or deeper client engagement? If you’re unsure, we can help with that too.

 
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The real work behind successful SEO & AEO? It’s all about strategy.

Part of our marketing and PR services is positioning your business as the go-to expert in solving your clients’ specific problems aligned with your ideal client profile (ICP).

This requires a deep understanding of your customers, your services, and the unique challenges your design business addresses and supports.  

How the right agency can help your business thrive in the new era of SEO, AEO, and AI:

  • Instant access to diverse talent and experience. At The Dove Agency, we have a team with 100 years of combined experience, merging financial and marketing solutions under one roof to deliver the tailored service our clients deserve.

  • Agile, adaptable approaches that leverage the latest technology and best practices. The Dove Agency’s size and diverse disciplines and backgrounds are what keep us at the forefront of the industry, from best business practices to the latest technology.

  • Whether you’re a solopreneur or a growing firm, no strategy is the same and it should work alongside a dynamic organizational plan to meet your business where it’s at currently, while accounting for your unique needs and future goals.

 
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The Overlooked Power of PR in SEO & AEO Strategy

Public relations and SEO are a powerful combination yet often underutilized together. PR shapes your brand’s perception and creates authoritative citations. These indicators serve as key factors for AI-powered answer engines, which prioritize trusted, high-authority sources.

Don’t underestimate the value of a mention (where your name or brand is included in an answer) or citation (where your brand is formally credited with a link as an authority source). When a third party deems your brand worthy of recognition, it’s an earned signal of trust you can’t fake. These are the building blocks of lasting brand authority.

Which Metrics Matter Most for SEO & AEO?

  • Strategy: A layered, thoughtful approach tailored to your unique business model and objectives.

  • Execution: Clear, actionable plans that turn strategy into reality.

  • Performance feedback: Ongoing research and transparent reporting to reveal what’s working and where to pivot.

SEO & AEO Success in 2026 | What Should Interior Designers Expect?

Success can now be tied back to a layered network of earned PR outcomes rooted in strategic SEO thinking. Paid media can complement your earned media, but the weight of earned content is key. Hence, your expertise and authority can’t be manufactured or done overnight.

From a PR angle, that means building relationships with journalists and analysts so that those online one-off quotes or project highlights can turn into in-depth brand features, podcast invitations, industry panels, and much more.

On the SEO and AEO side, focus on answering the real questions your clients are asking while weaving in essential SEO topics throughout your website copy in the form of headlines, sub-heads, categories, and listicles.

The most effective agencies are leaning into strategies that are agile and transparent, while steadily adapting without losing site of the reason behind it all trust and human connection. If you know someone who would find this article helpful, share it with them, or mark us as a preferred source and check the box to see more from us in your Google and AI Searches. Our online home is always open, and we would love to have a conversation with you about what this new landscape looks like for you now and going into 2027.

Susan Nichol