While I don't remember if and how much I've used it, I have to actively restrict my searches not to give me SO results, but the reference material I am looking for.
So my guess is that SEO is what takes people to SO first, even if it might not get the best results. (And sure, some of that search ranking is due to people recommending it left and right for real: it is actually organic and not fake)
I've long ago accepted that my brain doesn't like learning how most others seem to (I also don't like flowcharts, and prefer dense reference material) — this is not to discredit their way of learning, just recognizing the differences.
So my guess is that SEO is what takes people to SO first, even if it might not get the best results. (And sure, some of that search ranking is due to people recommending it left and right for real: it is actually organic and not fake)
I've long ago accepted that my brain doesn't like learning how most others seem to (I also don't like flowcharts, and prefer dense reference material) — this is not to discredit their way of learning, just recognizing the differences.