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
Dec 16, 2024 • 15min
Take control of your digital governance – with Ash Nallawalla
Compliance is starting to have a more important role in many businesses, and Ash Nallawalla from CRM911 Digital is here to explain why digital governance is an area that you can’t afford to miss.Ash says: “Digital governance is lacking in most web-enabled businesses, at least in a formal sense.Although websites have been around for 20 years or more, their execution tends to be ad hoc, ultimately resulting in a less-than-ideal outcome for the business.‘Digital’ is a loose term that people use when they think of computers. In the context of governance, it covers websites, social media platforms, our software if we make software, and apps for mobile phones and tablets if we make apps. The definition tends to vary a little. It usually implies the internet; it doesn’t have to, but it usually does.”Read the full transcript of Ash's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/ash-nallawalla
Dec 13, 2024 • 18min
Get the most from the client-agency relationship by working together – with Anthony Barone
Effective communication is about more than just making yourself heard, and Anthony Barone from StudioHawk UK knows how to get clients and agencies to sing from the same hymn sheet.Anthony says: “I’m going to explain how to get optimal results from an agency and how an agency can get good results from their client.It’s all about working together and focusing on that relationship.”What does an optimal client-agency partnership look like in 2025?“Traditionally, it would just be: ‘We pay you, you do work.’ Then, sometimes, the client won’t actually know what you’re doing and it just keeps on rolling and rolling."Read the full transcript of Anthony's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/anthony-barone
Dec 12, 2024 • 17min
Talk finance to get the budget you deserve – with Anna Bravington
Building on Adrijana’s motivational advice, Anna Bravington from Those That Dare and Oxford Innovation Space helps you speak up and have your voice heard in budget discussions.Anna says: “Integrate SEO into the business better so that you can talk finance and get those CFOs to give you a budget.”Is it an SEO’s fault when they don’t get the budget or a CFO’s fault?“It’s a bit of both. There is a balance and tension between CFOs and CMOs. Apparently, 40% of CFOs don’t think that CMOs and marketing people can speak business, and marketers also don’t think that finance people understand marketing."Read the full transcript of Anna's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/anna-bravington
Dec 11, 2024 • 15min
What content is required for each stage of the buyer journey? Otuto Umeji
David Bain and Otuto Umeji discuss what content is required for each stage of the buyer journey.Talking points include:How do you create content for each stage of the buyer journey?How do you establish user intent?How do you know what type of content to write?How do you measure success?Read the full transcript of Otuto's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/additional-insights/otuto-umeji
Dec 10, 2024 • 18min
Recognise your value and start earning what you deserve – with Adrijana Vujadin
It’s not just the decision-makers who undervalue SEO; sometimes it’s SEOs themselves. Adrijana Vujadin from AV Mindset Coaching urges you to fight for what you’re worth.Adrijana says: “Stop under-earning.”Are SEOs bad at charging what they’re worth?“Yes, because people are not respecting them enough. That is why we lack confidence. Money, and money mindset, is a specific topic that not a lot of SEOs are talking about. Whenever we mention money, there is a negative attitude around it. People say that it’s not all about the money and they will say they’re getting enough."Read the full transcript of Adrijana's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/adrijana-vujadin
Dec 9, 2024 • 16min
Prove your worth – with Lucia Dello
In a world where the value of SEO can often be overlooked by decision-makers, it’s essential for SEOs to be able to articulate the value of their activities. This is where we begin, with Lucia Dello from Dello Insights.Lucia says: “Prove the value of your e-commerce SEO.”How do you prove the value of it?“In this world, where acquisition remains a challenge and marketing budgets are tight, we want to demonstrate that SEO is bringing in the people you want. Retailers are looking well beyond the campaign level. They want to understand their whole sales portfolio and how it's growing over time. Therefore, you want measures that don't stop at the level of the activity, engagement or a sales total."
Dec 4, 2024 • 16min
Leverage planning strategy, data analysis & what-if scenarios to navigate ambiguity - Jonathan Moore
David Bain and Jonathan Moore discuss the importance of leveraging planning strategy, data analysis and what-if scenarios to navigate ambiguity.Talking points include:What data analysis are you referring to when planning a strategy?Where are the best sources of data?What are some examples of what-if scenarios that you are referring to?Link profile may not be what you want it to be?Content may not be what you hoped it would be?How does this help to navigate ambiguity and the unknown?What type of ambiguity are you trying to avoid?Why is it important to do this?How does this measurable impact your SEO success?How often should you be planning SEO strategy?What else should be incorporated in an SEO strategy?
Nov 27, 2024 • 16min
Why you need to add social media to your search strategy - Sabine Ljunggren
David Bain and Sabine Ljunggren discuss why you need to add social media to your search strategy.Talking points include:Why do you need to add social media to your search strategy?What does this mean in practice?What social media are we talking about?What content works best on different social media sites?Why does this fit as part of a search strategy?How do you measure success on social?How do you measure success as part of an integrated search strategy?How will this continue to evolve in the future?
Nov 20, 2024 • 16min
Why STORYTELLING Beats Traditional Link Building - with Desmond Boateng
Desmond Boateng joins David Bain to discuss the importance of building a brand with your own story over link building.Talking points include:Why is building a brand with your own story so important?How do you craft your story?Where should you publish your story?How does your brand story interweave with the rest of your content marketing efforts?What measurable impact does this have on your SEO success?How often should you hone your story?Is this more effective than link building?Read the full transcript of Desmond's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2024/additional-insights/desmond-boateng
Nov 13, 2024 • 17min
Beat the competition with a consistent Link Building strategy! - with Ahmed Bhula
Ahmed Bhula and David Bain discuss balanced/consistent link building and creating content consistently within limits. Before you know it, you'll be competing against the larger companies and every Google update will benefit your rankings.Talking points include:What does Balanced/consistent link building look like?What links are good links in 2024?How many should you be building a month?What are the limits you talk about?What does constant content creation look like?What content is best?Why does this help compete with larger companies?How do Google updates benefit rankings?Read the full transcript of Ahmed's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2024/additional-insights/ahmed-bhula
