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
Apr 7, 2025 • 17min
Understand how AI will impact search behaviour and content creation - with Erik Wikander
Erik Wikander shares that it is essential that you understand how AI will impact search behaviour and content creation.Topics discussed include:How will AI impact search behaviour?How will AI impact content creation?How do you create unique AI content that performs well in search?How do you use AI for the entire SEO and content marketing process?What are the downsides to this?How do you compete if everyone is doing the same thing?
Apr 4, 2025 • 16min
AI doesn’t need to improve—SEOs and marketers need to get better at using it - with Ian Helms
Ian Helms believes that AI doesn’t need to improve—SEOs and marketers need to get better at using it.Talking points include:How do you maximise the potential of AI?What are the key limitations of AI?Are these limitations likely to stay?How do SEOs work smarter with their use of AI?What tools should they be using?How should they incorporate AI into their workflow?What happens if you don’t use AI? Will you get left behind?Are there certain SEO tasks that will never use AI for?
Apr 3, 2025 • 17min
Use AI tools to help you do your job more efficiently - with Bill Hartzer
Bill Hartzer shares that you can use AI tools to help you do your job more efficiently.Talking points include:What AI tools are you referring to?How do you use them as efficiently as possible?How do you link everything up together?How do you ensure that AI is doing a good job?How do you know what to ask AI to do, and what to do yourself?What other tasks are you planning on testing AI on?
Apr 2, 2025 • 16min
With AI, content marketers must prioritize human-centered, customer-first content - Zack Kadish
Zack Kadish believes that in the age of AI, content marketers must prioritize human-centered, customer-first content.Talking points include:How would you summarise the AI-driven and evolving SERP landscape at the moment?Why is it important to prioritize human-centered, customer-first content?Why does this make it more likely that SEO will be a success in an AI-driven and evolving SERP landscape?What does creating authentic, authoritative content that addresses real user needs look like in 2025?Why does this strengthen trust, enhance user experience, and build brand credibility?How do you measure the impact of this?How do you continue to stay on top of the evolving SERP landscape and how do you know when to adapt your SEO strategy accordingly?
Apr 1, 2025 • 16min
Quantity vs Quality - with Ashley Segura
Ashley Segura and David Bain discuss the age-old debate: Quantity vs Quality.Talking points include:- How to produce content at scale- What tools do you recommend?- What type of content works best?- How should content be produced?- Do you favour in-house or agency?- What data should be utilised?
Mar 31, 2025 • 15min
Predict user needs with AI & secure backlinks that drive rankings and engagement - Tamara Novitović
Tamara Novitović shares the importance of predicting user needs with AI & secure backlinks that drive rankings and engagement.Talking points include:How do we Predict user needs with AI?How does this help to secure backlinks that drive both rankings and engagement?How important a ranking factor is user intent and how should we optimise for it?What about engagement - how important a ranking factor is that?How can AI be used to predict user search trends and behavioural patterns? (competitor analysis, algorithm impact, etc).Can we provide AI with user data to help it better understand their needs?What metrics do we use to track user behaviour?Can we use AI to build a backlink strategy that attracts credible links?
Mar 28, 2025 • 16min
Use AI, don't be used by it - with Manuel Madeddu
Manuel Madeddu shares the importance of not being used by AI.Discussion points include:What are the challenges with AI?What’s best practice?What is a holistic approach?How do you work on efficiencies?What are your thoughts on search engines using AI?
Mar 27, 2025 • 16min
Utilize AI as an ally, rather than viewing it as a threat - with Taylor Kurtz
Taylor Kurtz discusses the importance of utilizing AI as an ally, rather than viewing it as a threat.Discussion points include:Why might AI be a threat?How do you turn it into an ally?How do you use AI for different agency tasks?- client communication- report analysis- content creation- much more?What sectors are you finding to be particularly suitable for the use of AI?What about hallucinations?Any other sectors that you are working with?
Mar 26, 2025 • 21min
Think about about E-E-A-T as your brand’s online reputation - with James Brockbank
James Brockbank shares the importance of thinking about E-E-A-T as your brand’s online reputation.Talking points include:How can E-E-A-T your brand’s online reputation?What aspects of E-E-A-T are key to doing this?How do you align link building, content and brand signals?What aspects of link building, content and brand signals do you focus on most and why?Can you do this in an automated way?How does this link together in an overarching strategy?
Mar 25, 2025 • 16min
Include expert perspectives in your content - with Chris Meabe
Chris Meabe shares the importance of including expert perspectives in your content.Discussion points include:How do you become an expert source?What measurable impact does it have?What statistics are Google using to quantify the level of expertise?How do you demonstrate your level of expertise?How do you enhance your level of expertise?How do you become the reliable source?
