SEO in 2026
Majestic.com
SEO is continuing to change at an alarming pace. And yet, in some sense, the principles of good SEO remain the same.
Hello, and welcome to SEO in 2026 – a significant repository of current thinking from many of the world’s leading SEOs.
We're pleased to be able to welcome you to the fifth book and fifth series in this podcast, now well and truly an annual tradition, brought to you by Majestic.
“How people search has seen a bigger shift in the last 12 months than the last 12 years, and this makes SEOin2026 a must-read for anyone working in the industry. Majestic has brought together 117 of the SEO industry's brightest minds to share their insights into what matters, and what doesn't, to continue to drive growth with organic search during a period of massive uncertainty, and the book should be seen as a valuable reference point to keep your strategy on the right track.”
JAMES BROCKBANK
Managing Director and Founder, Digitaloft
“I highly recommend that every SEO professional set aside a couple of days for SEOin2026. You'll thank me for helping you plan your year effectively. I'm extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's leading SEO champions.”
NITIN MANCHANDA
Founder & Chief SEO Consultant, Botpresso
“This collection of wisdom from many of the best minds in SEO today is a great line in the sand of where we as an industry are, what problems we face, and how we tackle them. Anyone in SEO or marketing should be dipping into this on a regular basis.”
SIMON COX
Technical SEO Consultant, Cox and Co. Creative
“This series continues to be the industry’s leading source of the most timely advice a marketer could ever want. The most forward-thinking SEO experts in the world come together once a year to create this invaluable collection of new knowledge that should never be passed up on!”
PAM AUNGST CRONIN
President and Founder, Pam Ann Marketing and Stealth Search and Analytics
“2025 has been a sprint for the SEO industry, with AI reshaping how we understand visibility, relevance, and authority. SEOin2026 is not just another trends book; it’s a roadmap for what’s actually coming. I loved being part of it and seeing how experts around the world approach the same challenges from different angles.”
RAMONA JOITA
SEO Consultant and Founder
“David is good at drawing out the substance of a conversation. He will explore the topic and challenge assumptions, steer the conversation into an unexpected direction, and build on your ideas – making you think a bit deeper and sharper. Our recent conversation flew by as always, and as always – I’ve come out energised about the topic with more to think about.”
SUKHJINDER SINGH
Freelance SEO Consultant
Hello, and welcome to SEO in 2026 – a significant repository of current thinking from many of the world’s leading SEOs.
We're pleased to be able to welcome you to the fifth book and fifth series in this podcast, now well and truly an annual tradition, brought to you by Majestic.
“How people search has seen a bigger shift in the last 12 months than the last 12 years, and this makes SEOin2026 a must-read for anyone working in the industry. Majestic has brought together 117 of the SEO industry's brightest minds to share their insights into what matters, and what doesn't, to continue to drive growth with organic search during a period of massive uncertainty, and the book should be seen as a valuable reference point to keep your strategy on the right track.”
JAMES BROCKBANK
Managing Director and Founder, Digitaloft
“I highly recommend that every SEO professional set aside a couple of days for SEOin2026. You'll thank me for helping you plan your year effectively. I'm extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's leading SEO champions.”
NITIN MANCHANDA
Founder & Chief SEO Consultant, Botpresso
“This collection of wisdom from many of the best minds in SEO today is a great line in the sand of where we as an industry are, what problems we face, and how we tackle them. Anyone in SEO or marketing should be dipping into this on a regular basis.”
SIMON COX
Technical SEO Consultant, Cox and Co. Creative
“This series continues to be the industry’s leading source of the most timely advice a marketer could ever want. The most forward-thinking SEO experts in the world come together once a year to create this invaluable collection of new knowledge that should never be passed up on!”
PAM AUNGST CRONIN
President and Founder, Pam Ann Marketing and Stealth Search and Analytics
“2025 has been a sprint for the SEO industry, with AI reshaping how we understand visibility, relevance, and authority. SEOin2026 is not just another trends book; it’s a roadmap for what’s actually coming. I loved being part of it and seeing how experts around the world approach the same challenges from different angles.”
RAMONA JOITA
SEO Consultant and Founder
“David is good at drawing out the substance of a conversation. He will explore the topic and challenge assumptions, steer the conversation into an unexpected direction, and build on your ideas – making you think a bit deeper and sharper. Our recent conversation flew by as always, and as always – I’ve come out energised about the topic with more to think about.”
SUKHJINDER SINGH
Freelance SEO Consultant
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 25, 2025 • 14min
Expertise combined with opinions of people is what matter - with Gagan Ghotra
Gagan Ghotra shares that expertise combined with opinions of people is what matter.Discussion points include:How do you demonstrate expertise in content?Why are opinions of people important?How do you incorporate opinions in content?How do you measure the success of this strategy in search engines?How should this be incorporated into a content strategy?How do you measure the success of this strategy?How is AI impacting this strategy?
Jun 18, 2025 • 18min
Focus on Relevancy, with Less Outreach, Fewer Links, and Less Content - with Vince Nero
Vince Nero advises focusing on relevancy in 2025, meaning less outreach, fewer links, and less Content.Discussion points include:Why is less more?What do you mean by focusing on relevancy?Why less outreach?Why fewer links?Why less content?What does this mean for strategy?How do you track success?How do you persuade senior managers that less is more?
18 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 17min
There are proven ways to smartly rank better in the AI models - with Jon Mest
Jon Mest shares that there are proven ways to smartly rank better in the AI models.Talking points include:What does ranking better in AI models actually mean in practice?What measurable impact does this have?How do you measure leads from AI models?Is ChatGPT the best source of leads?How do you SEO for AI models?How is the space continuing to evolve?Read the full transcript of Jon's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/additional-insights/jon-mest
Jun 10, 2025 • 17min
Learn anything through identifying your transferable skills - with Petra Kis-Herczegh
Petra Kis-Herczegh shares how you can learn anything through identifying your transferable skills.Talking points include:Why should you just keep on learning, no matter what you’re learning?How do you know what you are learning will be useful in the future?How do you know what to focus on?What skills tend to be transferable?How do you identify transferable skills?How do you stay motivated to keep on learning?How does mindset come into this?How do we continually adapt our approach to learning over time?How does this help us find another job?What if we’re recruiting? Should we be looking for continuous learning as an important skillset in someone that we’re interviewing?Read the full transcript of Petra's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/petra-kis-herczegh
Jun 9, 2025 • 17min
Small changes can make a big impact - with Adelina Bordea
Adelina Bordea shares that small changes can make a big impact.Talking points include:What are the small changes you are talking about?How do you know which small changes will have the biggest impact?How do you know what changes to make?How do you measure the impact these changes have?How do you work with other internal teams to get these changes done?What if it's likely to take a long time to get some basic changes done?You say it is important to have a roadmap - what do you mean by this and what does a roadmap look like?Read the full transcript of Adelina's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/adelina-bordea
Jun 6, 2025 • 18min
Invest in expanding your skillset - with Giulia Panozzo
Giulia Panozzo shares about the importance of investing in expanding your skillset.Talking points include:What is changing in SEO?What additional skills need to be learned?What soft skills need to be learned?What adjacent topics need to be learned?Where are some of the best places to learn?How often should you learn?How should you share what you learn in your own organisation?How can you be sure that you are using your time effectively and learning the right things?Read the full transcript of Giulia's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/giulia-panozzo
Jun 5, 2025 • 18min
SEO is much more than it has ever been - with Emina Demiri-Watson
Emina Demiri-Watson shares that SEO is much more than it has ever been.Discussion points include:What are the key new trends of SEO to stay on top of?- Search has developed (strong performance of UGC platforms such as Reddit, AIO roll-out, development of Perspectives, recent core updates and emphasis on brand in search, TikTok as a search engine…). - User journey is not linear - finally it's dawning on companies!- Attribution is not really possible - particularly in the age of privacy! - One touch point is certainly not enough (no longer true even in ecommerce)How does an SEO stay on top of things without stretching themselves too thinly?Read the full transcript of Emina's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/emina-demiri-watson
Jun 4, 2025 • 16min
How to go beyond Google and optimize different search channels - with Tevfik Mert Azizoglu
Tevfik Mert Azizoglu shares how to go beyond Google and optimize different search channels.Discussion points include:What is search everywhere optimization?Witch platforms are key?How to select the platforms that are key for your business How to use AI to optimize strategyRead the full transcript of Tevfik's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/additional-insights/tevfik-mert-azizoglu
Jun 3, 2025 • 16min
Work smarter and stay relevant - with Sukhjinder Singh
Sukhjinder Singh shares the importance of working smarter to stay relevant.Talking points include:How do you stay relevant?How do you cope with what seems to be an ever-increasing rate of change?How do you deal with overwhelm?How do you work smarter and stay ahead?How do you stay on top of the latest technologies?How do you incorporate AI into your workflow?How will you continue to do this over the next couple of years?Read the full transcript of Sukhjinder's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/sukhjinder-singh
Jun 2, 2025 • 20min
Use data and knowledge from Google Ads and Analytics for better SEO! With Krzysztof Marzec
Krzysztof Marzec shares the importance of using data and knowledge from Google Ads and Analytics for better SEO!Talking points include:How does Quality Score helps to make better SEO?How should paid ads and SEO teams work more closely together?How does data from Google Ads campaigns improves content plan?What data is available?How can an SEO access all the data?What’s an example of how this has changed a content strategy?How often should this be done?What reports in GA4 will influence SEO campaign most?What is the easiest way to analyze this information? Use third party platforms?Read the full transcript of Krzysztof's interview at: https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/krzysztof-marzec
