UX vs. SEO – And the Debate Continues!

When it comes to optimising your site for search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo!, many people ask the same question: should you prioritise UX or SEO? The truth is, it’s not that simple. There’s no clear-cut winner because both are essential.

Search engines constantly update their algorithms. Keeping up with these changes has become a full-time job. For instance, we know that Google aims to give users the best possible experience with the most relevant search results. That means Google expects websites to have both strong SEO and a smooth user experience.

Many UX designers are taught to focus only on the user. They’re told to ignore SEO and design based solely on user behavior and language. While this advice sounds ideal in theory, it misses something critical. Ignoring SEO can actually harm your website’s performance — and surprisingly, the user experience too.

Think of UX as a way to guide users smoothly through your site. But SEO is what brings them there in the first place. Without good SEO, users might never find your site. And without UX, they won’t stay. To grow your online presence, you need both.

Still, it’s important to understand the unique roles they play.

• SEO drives traffic.
• UX keeps that traffic engaged.

Together, they create a successful, user-friendly, and search-friendly website.

• SEO and UX are not opposing forces — they must work together to attract and retain users.
• SEO drives traffic; UX keeps users engaged. Without both, your site can’t thrive.
• UX designers focus on visual flow, clarity, and interaction. SEO experts focus on visibility, keywords, and search engine criteria.
• Ignoring SEO can harm your user experience. If users can’t find your site, they can’t enjoy it.
• Google rewards user-centric experiences. SEO strategies should support better usability.
• The best results come from combining SEO and UX efforts through expert planning and collaboration.
• Partnering with a specialised SEO agency like TopRankings ensures both visibility and usability are prioritised.

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Understanding the Core Roles
   • The UX Designer’s Focus
   • The SEO Expert’s Mission
3. Why UX Without SEO Falls Short
4. The Right Way to Boost Your SEO Ranking
5. FAQ: SEO vs UX for Website Success

The principles of SEO can sometimes seem to clash with the goals of UX design. SEO specialists focus on optimising websites to perform well in search engine rankings. Meanwhile, UX designers aim to create a smooth, enjoyable experience for website visitors.

So, why does there seem to be a tug of war between the two? It’s because SEO experts work to meet the demands of search algorithms, while UX designers focus on what real users need. At its core, the tension lies in the push-and-pull between machine preferences and human expectations.

But here’s what many web developers overlook — you don’t have to choose sides. The key is to combine SEO and UX in a way that supports both goals. When done right, a website can be both search-engine friendly and user-focused.

Since SEO and UX are different but equally important, developers often struggle to know where to invest their time and energy. The solution? Use both strategically to create websites that rank well and keep users engaged.

The role of UX designers is to keep both users and business in their mind when designing a website. Their primary purpose is to enhance the user experience by making things aesthetically pleasing, compelling the users to engage via all kinds of call-to-action mediums. These mediums include clicking on a promising link, signing up for a mailing list, or even passing on the customers’ contact number to reach the business experts.

SEO, on the other hand, is all about content availability and in-depth keyword research. As the search engines like Google or Bing crawl through the websites looking for certain information, SEO planning helps you rank higher on the search pages via updated and improved strategies. 

This process is mainly based on the cycle of SEO, also known as the never-ending loop of death. This cycle indicates that when the search engine algorithm updates, your website loses its ranking. This, in turn, drives you to create a new tool or technique to beat the algorithm and increase your rankings like before. And the cycle vigorously continues when there is yet another updated search engine algorithm in the market.

The cycle of SEO is challenging to keep up with, especially in these face-paced days when technology keeps changing daily. However, knowing what the search engine prioritises is the key to resolve that issue every time. These factors consist of special keywords, images, external and internal links, and a responsive website’s design. 

The mentioned SEO challenges are solvable as long as you have a top-of-the-line SEO agency at your beck and call. On the other hand, UX designers usually have a harder time processing their difficulties. They think if they build the website well, traffic will come automatically. But, unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Because until people know your site exists, how are they supposed to get around to checking it? This is where UX loses its functionality without SEO. As it’s the work of those keywords, phrases, images, and links that bind the UX to the search engines, you can’t expect to get anything in return without a comprehensive SEO plan.

Now that you’re aware of the influence SEO poses on UX, you can understand why it is important for all businesses to invest in an excellent SEO Agency like TopRankings to get you on top. Get your website’s ranking higher than ever with our SEO services and watch its online presence dominate the search engines like never before! 

Please leave us a message through our website or give us a call at 1300 881 911 for further details.

1. Can a website succeed with only UX or only SEO?

Not effectively. SEO brings users to your site, while UX keeps them there. Without SEO, your site may go unnoticed. Without UX, visitors won’t stay or convert.

2. Is UX more important than SEO in 2025?

Neither is more important — both are essential. Google’s algorithm increasingly values user experience, but visibility through SEO is still a must.

3. What’s the main difference between an SEO expert and a UX designer?

SEO experts focus on ranking and visibility using keywords, metadata, and technical strategies. UX designers focus on layout, design, and how users interact with the website.

4. How does SEO impact the user experience?

Good SEO ensures that users land on the right page with relevant content. Poor SEO leads to irrelevant clicks or users bouncing quickly, hurting UX and rankings.

5. Why does Google care about UX?

Google wants to deliver the best results to its users. A site that is fast, easy to use, and relevant makes users happy — which boosts your rankings.

6. How can I improve both SEO and UX together?

Start by using SEO data (like top-performing keywords) to inform content and design decisions. Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, fast, and easy to navigate.