AEO is the New SEO: Leeds Digital Festival 2025 at Department
September 29th 2025
Leeds Digital Festival is back for its 10th anniversary, and we’re proud to be an associate sponsor of the largest open-platform tech event in the North. Running from 22nd September to 3rd October, this year’s festival showcased over 200 free tech events celebrating digital culture in all its forms.
Department Leeds Dock: The Epicentre of Leeds’ Digital Transformation
Department Leeds Dock is more than just a workspace. It’s the epicentre where Leeds’ digital transformation happens every day. As a vibrant hub for media, creative and digital communities, we’re home to over 60 businesses that are shaping the future of technology in the region.
Our community thrives on collaboration, innovation and the sharing of ideas. It’s exactly this spirit that makes Leeds Digital Festival so special, and why we were excited to host one of this year’s standout events.
AEO is the New SEO: A Leeds Digital Festival Event at Department
Last week, our members Bobble Digital hosted an insightful seminar exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming search marketing. The event, “AEO is the New SEO,” attracted tech decision-makers, agency professionals and digital businesses eager to understand the shift from Search Engine Optimisation to Answer Engine Optimisation.
Manpreet Singh, CEO of Bobble Digital, led the session and explained the fundamental change happening in digital marketing: “You’re still writing content so you can rank in Google, but start optimising your content to start answering questions. If you’re new to ChatGPT, remember you’re going there for an answer, so be the answer. That’s what AEO is. SEO is all about ranking for a specific keyword, AEO is about being the answer.”
The Power of Community and Collaboration
Bobble Digital has been part of the Department community since 2023, and they’re a perfect example of what makes our workspace special. They’ve collaborated with fellow members like Investor Ladder on digital marketing projects, demonstrating the real value of being in a coworking environment where opportunities, collaboration and networking happen organically.
This is what Department Leeds Dock is all about: creating an environment where businesses don’t just work alongside each other, they grow together.
What’s Next for Digital Marketing?
According to Manpreet, the pace of change in AI and digital marketing is only accelerating: “It’s going to evolve faster than it can keep up. I think what you’re seeing with ChatGPT 5, I think there’ll be a few more new players in the market. There’ll be a lot more tools to use. It will create a lot of opportunities, especially for SMEs if they decide to act now, otherwise in a year’s time it could be too late.”
The message is clear: now is the time for businesses to adapt and embrace these new technologies.
Why Department Leeds Dock?
Leeds has the fastest-growing digital economy outside of London, with 9,000 digital companies in the Leeds City Region and 102,000 people employed in the tech sector. Department Leeds Dock sits at the heart of this thriving ecosystem.
We offer:
- Modern workspaces from hot desks to private offices for teams of 4-60 people
- Creative facilities including podcasting studios, content creation studios and a private cinema
- Wellness amenities with discounted gym membership and on-site café, restaurant and bar at Fearns
- Networking opportunities through curated member events and a collaborative community
- Perfect location at Leeds Dock, just 8 minutes from Leeds city centre
Whether you’re an established digital agency, a creative startup or a tech business looking to scale, Department Leeds Dock provides the space, community and opportunities to help your business thrive.
Join the Digital Community at Department
Events like Leeds Digital Festival remind us why Leeds is such an exciting place to do business in the digital sector. The collaborative spirit, the innovation, and the willingness to share knowledge and ideas set this city apart.
At Department Leeds Dock, we’re creating a workspace where this collaboration happens every single day. If you’re looking for more than just an office, if you want to be part of a community that’s shaping the future of digital in Leeds, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested in joining Department Leeds Dock? Contact us at info@departmentuk.com to discuss your workspace requirements and discover how our community can help your business grow.
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"Bonded Warehouse is a unique environment and the team love being there. The facilities and the community team are superb and create a brilliant atmosphere for productivity and creativity. The team are always running events and there is something for everyone. It's a great way of learning something new, trying something new and meeting new people."
Ultimate Agency
“The highlight of working in Department XYZ is the support we receive from the team - there’s a real sense of community amongst members. We’re proud to work here and in one of the best locations in Manchester.”
Immediate Media
“Spinningfields and XYZ is a very professional and inspiring place to have as a business base. The best place I’ve worked from in my 30 year career.”
Spinningfields Lifetime Partners
“As a startup founder, I place significant importance on the work environment, understanding its critical role in nurturing and growing a business. My experience with XYZ has been outstanding. The dedication and exceptional efforts of the team supporting the members are commendable.”
Intellithing
