Renowned SEO expert Marie Haynes warns that AI agents, autonomous systems that plan and execute tasks, are transforming the industry. In a December 2025 interview, Haynes predicts radical shifts similar to automation in manufacturing. She stresses that SEOs must experiment now to build skills before AI agents fully embed in workflows and change how businesses operate.
Haynes, who retired her agency to focus on AI, believes every business will rely on AI agents. Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoes this, forecasting agentic workflows deeply integrated into daily work within 2-4 years. Despite trillions invested in AI, many companies see limited financial returns yet, creating opportunities for early adopters.
What SEOs Should Do Now to Master AI Agents
Haynes advises starting hands-on experimentation to prepare for the agentic era. She favors Google’s Gemini for its ecosystem and future potential in AI agents.
Key steps Haynes recommends:
- Create Gemini Gems: custom AI assistants with detailed prompts and knowledge bases—to handle tasks like content originality checks.
- Chain agents together for complex workflows, automating routine work while humans oversee as “conductors.”
- Experiment with every task: Build an agent for it, refine prompts, and persevere through failures.
- Use tools like Google’s AI Studio for “vibe coding” to deploy sites without deep HTML knowledge.
- Generate deep competitor research reports with AI to deliver client value and hone skills.
Haynes explains that AI agents shift SEO from optimizing for search engines to bridging businesses and technology. Professionals who teach and guide these agents will scale dramatically—handling hundreds of clients instead of a handful.
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Overwhelm hits even full-time AI researchers, but persistent learning builds a “superpower” in distilling changes for clients. As businesses profit from AI agents, demand will surge for experts who implement them effectively.
Haynes views AI as profoundly positive, more impactful than fire or electricity. Those who master AI agents now will thrive in the disrupted landscape ahead.
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