"Our clients see a huge increase in conversions from AI Search. Like 10 times more conversions. Most people don't realise it yet.*" Matthew Mayer, founder, Advanced Click SEO

AI SEO + GEO+ SEO + AEO = The New Frontier of Marketing

Digital marketing is marketing. SEO is on it's way out as it becomes too big and too important. marketing in the AI era means a return to real brand marketing. During 2026 SEO will be another interesting year as old ways die and trust becomes more important. SEO may be exploding, but marketing is only looking at SMM and AI.

If you want to win in the long run at SEO in 2026, you play by the old fashioned rules of business. Be nice, do a good job, build a reputation and do the marketing suitable for your business. Use our rule: be 10%+ better than all your competitors at everything and you will be golden.

If it's that simple, why am I here? Because to know what works and doesn't takes experience, analytical thinking and a passion for marketing. SEO should die off as we know it before 2030. It should be replaced with a standard everyone can meet. Leaving reviews, reputation sculpting, and brand awareness as differentiators.  

Trust marketing starts to take off. The current state of marketing isn't good. Overblown budgets, over-reporting, and underachieving are making the industry look bad. Marketing itself needs trusting, just like brands. Trust marketing is proactively developing trust and a massive EEAT component (the T).

Backlinks are still being devalued, reviews are rising. There are well over 20 billion reviews online. It is rising fast. Once Google figures out how to measure intent, to filter reviews left when we are hot headed, it will shift the focus. But for now links are still a path to being seen as important and that creates higher, more consistent rankings. 

What happens to SEO in 2026?

 I used to outsource most tasks, but the last year or two has been very different. I figured out "everything SEO" 6 months before I ever touched AI. My experience and knack for predicting trends and figures showed me the way, but I didn't know how to explain it all. Things are actually simpler now. Back to the old ways. 

Chunking is the perfect example: ask a question, then answer it with a "good" paragraph. 50 to 150 words of bullet points or a full yet concise answer with all the information neatly packaged. Simple and AI loves it. But it's a bit of a joke around hers. Hence the cheesy image above. Chunking is for chumps was the 2nd idea. If you don't have a good business you are just gaining useless mentions. 

Back to common sense best practices like nurturing brand reputation. Google is the Yellow Pages, where you go to locate a company. The decision is made with AI. Google Organic Search is dying, replaced by AI Overviews. 1st position gets clicked 10% of the time now. It was 30% before. If you aren't first, forget it. 2-4% of the clicks isn't worth it. Now we optimise for AI which will help you in 2026, as all markets see the same trends.

 

Brand Trust Optimization (BTO)

This is reviews and best practices for getting in Google's good books. It differs from Trust Marketing because it is also focused on the technical side for EEAT (Google's signals for their TrustRank score). YMYL websites need this. We offer a recovery service and an audit as standalone services. The audit for a standard small business should cost £700. Recovery prices start at £1000 depending on the situation. 

Regrding the 10x claim for AI search: Most people believe it is 3 or 4 times higher converting compared to traditional SEO. Some even say 5 times higher. It is not. It is more than you think and this is why zero click search didn't break the internet. ChatGPT sends qualified buyers ready to go. Google Search Console doesn't tell you that many branded searches are from Chat GPT.

We have the luxury of data from an AI-powered SaaS company and in the last year they converted 10 times higher with ChatGPT traffic. That is unfiltered. Adding on the unseen traffic lowers the conversion rate from organic Search. It will be more than 10 times higher than traditional search. AI is growing to maybe 80% of people using it to help with purchases by the end of 2026.  

How to Do SEO in 2026

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in 2026 hinges on aligning content with user intent and Google’s emphasis on clarity, relevance, and user experience. Based on insights from a leaked Google document, here are key strategies to optimize your website effectively.

Craft Unique, Descriptive Page Titles

Every page needs a distinct title that clearly describes its content. Avoid generic or templated titles. For example, instead of “Blog Post,” use “Top 10 Hiking Trails in Colorado for 2026.” Keep titles under 60 characters to prevent truncation in search results [1].

Align H1 Tags with Titles

Your H1 tag should match or enhance your page title, reinforcing the page’s focus. For instance, if the title is “Best Hiking Trails in Colorado,” the H1 could be “Explore Colorado’s Top Hiking Trails for 2026.” This ensures consistency and clarity [1].

Use Descriptive URLs

URLs should reflect the page’s title and H1. For example, /best-hiking-trails-colorado-2026 is clear and relevant, helping both users and search engines understand the page’s purpose [1].

Write Clear Internal Anchor Text

Internal links should use descriptive anchor text that accurately reflects the destination page’s content. Instead of “click here,” use “Learn More About Colorado Hiking Trails” to guide users and search engines [1].

Make Headings Visually Prominent

Main headings (H1, H2, etc.) should stand out with larger fonts and a clear hierarchy. This improves readability and signals importance to search engines, enhancing user experience [1].

Deliver on Title Promises

Ensure your content fulfills the expectations set by the title. If your title promises “2026 SEO Tips,” the content must provide actionable, relevant advice. Mismatched content can harm rankings and user trust [1].

Avoid Keyword Repetition

Eliminate redundant keywords in titles to maintain clarity and avoid appearing spammy. For example, “SEO Tips for 2026” is better than “SEO Tips, SEO Strategies, SEO 2026” [1].

Monitor Titles in SERPs

Google may rewrite titles in search results. Regularly test and track which titles Google displays using tools like Google Search Console to refine your approach [1].

By focusing on these strategies, you can align with Google’s priorities. Which means you will improve rankings and enhance user experience in 2026.

Citations:
[1] Leaked Google document on search ranking factors, 2025.