Edited By
Tomรกs Reyes

A shift in how people are finding crypto projects is catching agencies off guard. Many firms have yet to adapt their strategies, despite a growing number of referrals from AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Recent analytics indicate a notable increase in traffic from AI search engines, which were previously insignificant. One source revealed a sudden spike in searches such as โwhere to swap BTC without KYCโ being directly answered in chats, bypassing traditional search results altogether. This trend illustrates a disconnect between agencies' methods and what people are now using.
Agencies are still leaning on outdated packages from 2021. Common tactics include press releases and backlinks, which seem less effective in the current landscape. A source remarked, โAn LLM doesnโt weigh that stuff the way Google does,โ indicating that the standard approach for many agencies is increasingly irrelevant.
Not all agencies are stuck in the past. Some, like one commenting company, have started optimizing for AI search. They expressed, "Itโs honestly easier in some ways than traditional SEO." The focus is shifting to ensuring accurate information is accessible for AI models to reference.
Mounting Evidence: Users are beginning to share referral breakdowns, showcasing traffic patterns influenced by AI.
Enhanced Strategies: Companies maximizing AI optimization find more straightforward pathways than they did with conventional SEO methods.
Demand for Change: As AI searches become more prevalent, thereโs an urgent call for agencies to adapt.
"When the answer shows up before any search page loads, standard agency deliverables just stop working."
๐ Traffic from AI referrals is increasing and helps bypass traditional search methods.
๐ Agencies that still focus on outdated practices are at risk of being overshadowed.
๐ค Adapting to AI search can simplify processes and foster better engagement.
The crypto industry is at a critical juncture. With AI reshaping discoverability, will agencies keep pace, or will they fall behind?
As AI-driven search engines continue to gain prominence, there's a strong chance that agencies will have to overhaul their marketing strategies within the next year. According to industry experts, up to 70% of agencies may struggle to maintain relevance if they do not adapt to this shift. This adaptation might involve investing in new technology to make their information compatible with AI models. Those who prioritize these changes could see a marked improvement in customer engagement and reach, while others remain bound to outdated practices.
Reflecting on the e-commerce boom in the late 1990s, one can draw parallels between the current crypto discovery shift and how brick-and-mortar stores struggled to transition to online sales. Retailers initially dismissed online shopping as a passing trend, but those who embraced digital platforms flourished, while others dwindled. Similarly, agencies that ignore the influence of AI search risk being left behind, just as traditional retailers once were in a rapidly changing market.