Every year, marketers declare that “everything is changing.”
But 2026? It actually is.
AI Is the New Search Engine
People aren’t just “Googling” anymore – they’re AI searching.
Platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini are becoming the first stop for answers, and if your brand isn’t ranking there, you’re already invisible to part of your audience.
Google Click-Through Is Changing
AI snippets are now appearing ABOVE traditional results.
Some users get their answer instantly and never reach your website, which means your SEO strategy can’t just be “rank on page 1” anymore.
Social Media Has Become Reliant SEO
Hashtags? Optional.
Keywords? Essential.
Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn – all are prioritising search-optimised content, not trending tags.
And TikTok isn’t just entertainment anymore… it’s a full-blown search engine.
Authenticity Matters More Than Ever
Audiences can smell generic content instantly.
AI can write words, but it can’t create connection.
Brands that blend human insight with smart tech will win, (not the ones trying to automate everything).
Branding Is Now Fluid
Branding isn’t about being rigid, it’s about being recognisable.
Your colours, logo and fonts are a foundation, not a prison. You can adapt your look for:
- Seasonal content
- Campaigns
- Product launches
- Cultural moments
Modern branding flexes where it makes sense, as long as the core identity stays intact.
Integrated Marketing = Essential
Doing lots of disconnected marketing activities doesn’t drive results.
Doing the right things together does.
To stay visible across the new search landscape, your strategy must work as one ecosystem.
The Roundup
- SEO optimised for Google, AI search and social media
- Social content built for discovery
- Authentic, human-led storytelling
- A flexible but cohesive brand identity
- An integrated marketing strategy that unites every channel
Tweak Marketing
Your virtual, fully integrated marketing team.
