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
Feb 20, 2024 • 16min
Rather than SEO, focus on HEO. "Human Engagement Optimization" - with Ken "Magma" Marshall
Ken "Magma" Marshall and David Bain discuss how rather than focusing on SEO, you should focus on HEO. "Human Engagement Optimization"Discussion points include:What is "Human Engagement Optimization"?How do you focus on creating web content with the user intent and needs in mind?Show should you use AI / ML?How do you know what your user or customer expects?How do you ensure that you are delivering excellent experiences?Why will Keyword data matter less?How do you get more sophisticated around attribution?How do you know which keywords have made a company most profitable?How do you measure "Human Engagement Optimization"?
Feb 19, 2024 • 16min
Understanding the limitations of AI based tools for SEO - Jan-Willem Bobbink
Jan-Willem Bobbink and David Bain discuss understanding the limitations of AI based tools for SEO.Discussion points include:What are the useless exercises are happening based on LLMs that are not suitable for it?What are the limitations of AI-based tools?What are the elements of SEO that go hand-in-hand with AI?What are the elements of SEO that don’t go hand-in-hand with AI?
Feb 16, 2024 • 17min
Mid-funnel is your strategic target - with Myriam Jessier
Myriam Jessier and David Bain discuss how mid-funnel is your strategic target.Discussion points include:What do you mean by mid-funnel?How do you identify Mid-funnel opportunities?What are good goals for Mid-funnel opportunities?Can you not work with both traditional marketing funnels and customer journey mapping?What are the typical touchpoints where SEO is overshadowed where search is critical?
Feb 15, 2024 • 17min
Stop chasing Google rankings and focus on building a real relationship with customers - Ian Helms
Ian Helms and David Bain discuss how to stop chasing Google rankings and focus on building a real relationship with customers.Discussion points include:What are SEO best practices at the moment?How do you deliver personalized content, that is also beneficial for SEO?How do you measure the SEO value of creating a great customer experience?Is it possible to use AI generated content and to create a great customer experience at the same time?
Feb 14, 2024 • 17min
How small changes can lead to big impacts in eCommerce SEO - Rasmus Sørensen
On this episode Rasmus Sørensen discusses how small changes can lead to big impacts in eCommerce SEO.Discussion points include:What small changes?How do you know what to change?What big impacts does this have?How do you measure this?What are the biggest recent changes in eCommerce SEO?What CMS Software do you recommend?Read the full transcript of Rasmus's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2024/additional-insights/rasmus-sørensen
Feb 13, 2024 • 18min
How to cut through the AI noise in 2024 - with Dixon Jones
Dixon Jones and David Bain discuss how to cut through the AI noise in 2024.Discussion points include:How do you cut through the AI noise?Why does this make a difference?How long will this differentiating factor work effectively?Does this mean that you have to have a fairly manual process to be successful?How do you determine who your “audience of one” is, and how to talk to them?
Feb 12, 2024 • 16min
The biggest challenge in 2024 will be standing out - Gerry White
Gerry White and David Bain discuss how the biggest challenge in 2024 will be standing out.Discussion points include:How do you deliver a reason to visit and engage with the site?What if you look at the SERP and the search engine appears to be looking for a particular type of result for a query - do you still try to be different?How do you stand out?How do you measure the impact of trying to stand out?Do you split-test trying to stand out?How do you stand out in the world of a single AI result?Will Google Perspectives help you stand out?Can you use other marketing channels to help you stand out?
Feb 9, 2024 • 17min
The importance of Experience, high quality, author info and transparency - Filipa Serra Gaspar
Filipa Serra Gaspar and David Bain discuss the importance of Experience, high quality, author info and transparency.Discussion points include:How do you demonstrate Experience?How do you show that you offer high quality information?How do you format your author bio?What do you mean by showing transparency?What are examples of credible sources?How do you cite credible sources and what impact does this have?Can AI produced content demonstrate EEAT?
Feb 8, 2024 • 16min
Entity SEO - being a topical authority is key - with Anthony Barone
Anthony Barone and David Bain discuss how being a topical authority is key to your entity SEO.Discussion points include:How do you ensure that you create a comprehensive online version of an entity?Where do you include the information?What do you include?How do you hone your entity to appeal to your target user?How do you measure the impact of creating a comprehensive online entity?How do you differentiate yourself from ChatGPT content?How do you know that you are delivering a real and valuable answer?What should you use ChatGPT for?
Feb 7, 2024 • 15min
We must consider all the organic channels and make them work in synergy - Valentina Stragliotto
In this episode Valentina shares that we should now consider all the organic channels and make them work in synergy to ensure success and that SEO is turning into OSO. Topics covered:What do you mean by OSO?What do you mean by all the organic channels?How do you make them work in synergy?How do you determine what your audience wants?What are the benefits of this?How does this ensure success?How do you measure success?Read the full transcript of Valentina's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2024/additional-insights/valentina-stragliotto
