In 2026, SEO will focus more on AI-first search experiences, where visibility in answer engines and large language models will matter as much as traditional rankings. Brands will prioritize semantic authority, structured content, and trust signals to stay discoverable across human and AI-driven searches.

Search Engine Land contributor Kaspar Szymanski has published an article highlighting useful insights on SEO in 2026.

He says, “Hype cycles come and go. But real SEO gains still depend on trust, crawlable data, and meeting user needs — not chasing the latest novelty.

Around the turn of the year, search industry media fills up with reviews and predictions. Bold, disruptive ideas steal the spotlight and trigger a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out).

However, sustainable online sales growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big trend. In SEO, what truly matters stays the same.

FOMO is bad for you 

We regularly get excited about the next big thing. Each new idea is framed as a disruptive force that will level the playing field.

Real shifts do happen, but they are rare. More often, the promised upheaval fades into a storm in a teacup.”

SEO in 2026: What will stay the same

Search Engine Land