73% of Marketers Expect Traditional SEO Obsolete by 2026
To stay ahead, marketers are focusing their investments on Customer Data Platforms (47%), social commerce integrations (38%), AI-powered tools (35%), and omnichannel marketing automation (34%).
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Traditional SEO is facing a rapid decline, according to a SALESmanago survey, a customer engagement platform in Europe. The study found that 73% of ecommerce and retail marketers believe traditional SEO will be obsolete by 2026, highlighting a major shift in how brands connect with consumers online.
The research surveyed 150 marketers across the UK, Poland, and Italy, revealing that many ecommerce leaders are struggling to keep up with fast-changing consumer behaviour, fragmented platforms, and new technology challenges.
Key Findings
- 73% of marketers said traditional SEO will be dead by the end of 2026.
- 44% report rising demand for social commerce, with 35% turning to AI-powered tools to respond.
- 63% said platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram DMs are making it harder to measure web traffic.
- 51% are grappling with growing expectations for tailored experiences.
- 41% said eco-conscious consumers are reshaping their strategies.
“Brands across Europe are rapidly realising that consumer journeys are no longer linear, and the fact that so many marketers are questioning the value of SEO speaks volumes,” said Brian Plackis-Cheng, CEO at SALESmanago.
“As consumers move to private platforms and engage in more unpredictable, cross-channel journeys, brands need real-time intelligence, over keywords, and personalisation over products.”
To keep pace with these trends, marketers report prioritising investment in Customer Data Platforms (47%), social commerce integrations (38%), AI-powered tools (35%), and omnichannel marketing automation (34%).
“Marketers are under pressure to show ROI, despite growing blind spots like dark social,” added Brian Plackis-Cheng, CEO at SALESmanago.
“The winners will be those who unify their data, adopt AI with a clear segmentation strategy, leverage messaging channels like SMS and WhatsApp for targeted and personalised engagement, and deliver tailored experiences at scale.”
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