“People-first content” in modern SEO is about balancing what users need with how they search—but also understanding the type of content you're creating and what purpose it serves.
In our work, we divide content into two core brackets:
This includes search terms like “agency for XYZ”—clear, commercial-intent queries. These are critical from a people-first perspective, because the person searching has a real need and is close to making a decision. The goal here is to show that you're the right partner—not through fluff, but through clear messaging, proof, and relevance. Options for creativity are limited, but being present and relevant is everything.
This includes things like “how much does XYZ cost?” or “how to do XYZ?”. These are often the kind of queries that AI Overviews (or featured snippets) aim to answer directly. The goal here isn't always a direct conversion—it’s to show that you’re helpful, trustworthy, and knowledgeable. This builds brand credibility, even if the reader doesn’t click or convert right away.
Focusing on people-first content in both brackets has shifted how we approach SEO. It’s no longer about keyword stuffing or long-form content just for ranking—it's about intent, clarity, and real usefulness. Even when writing for AI Overviews, the content must help people make decisions, solve problems, or understand options.
We recently focused more on helpful, niche-specific guides that answered common client questions (even those unlikely to convert right away). Over time, these helped us improve brand visibility, earn backlinks, and position our agency as an expert in specific areas—leading to higher lead quality and better conversion rates on our core service pages.
Know which type of content you’re creating (conversion vs. informational).
Speak clearly and directly—don’t hide the value.
Optimize for user experience first, and let SEO amplify it—not the other way around.
Be present in the conversation, not just ranking for it.
People-first content doesn’t mean ignoring SEO. It means aligning your content with real user needs, then letting search engines (and AI tools) help the right people find it.