By 2026, businesses will need to create pages that do more than answer text-based queries. Search now includes short videos, AI-powered voice assistants, and visual tools that let people find things by pointing a camera. Big platforms are already responding. Google’s updates now reward rich content formats, and other search engines are starting to follow.
To stay ahead, brands must understand how search works across multiple platforms and devices. SEO will depend on how well a business can offer information in the form people want. In this article, we’ll look at how real companies are adjusting their strategies using video, voice, and visual search.
Why are Industry Giants Adapting Their SEO Strategy
Some industries face limits on how they can advertise. Because of this, they turn to SEO and content to build awareness. The online gaming space is a good example of how businesses are shifting their marketing to match what search engines reward.
In 2026, several significant launches are planned across the gaming industry. But releases alone aren’t enough anymore. Studios now release teasers early, work with well-known creators, and use video previews to show what’s coming. This model is spreading across other industries as well, including more regulated spaces such as the online gambling industry.
That’s why online gambling sites are leaning on new formats like “show and tell” content. They’re adding fresh providers, expanding payment methods, and pushing those changes through trusted creators and influencers.
These updates aren’t just announcements; they’re crafted to be searchable and linkable. Pages are structured to highlight these updates using media, schema, and optimized metadata.
Visual Search and the Shift from Keywords
Search engines have moved beyond exact phrases. They now understand pictures, product shapes, and even colors. Visual search lets users skip typing and go straight to what they’re looking for by uploading or scanning an image. This has changed how people shop and how companies structure content.
Take ASOS as an example. Their image search feature helps users find matching outfits from photos. It removes friction and creates direct buying paths. Similarly, Google Lens is helping people find furniture, gadgets, or clothes by just snapping a picture. These tools are being indexed, which means search engines now use image content to decide rankings.
To prepare for 2026, brands are tagging their images properly, using schema markup, and making sure that visuals match the rest of the page. The better the match, the more likely it is that the page appears in visual results. SEO teams are learning that optimization is not only about keywords anymore; it’s about making sure search engines can understand every piece of content on a page, including photos.
Real SEO in Influencer Partnerships
Brands used to pay creators for one-off mentions. That’s changing fast. Long-term creator partnerships now give companies better reach and stronger SEO signals. Consistent content builds brand mentions, and search engines treat these mentions like digital votes.
One example is Gymshark. They don’t just run campaigns; they keep working with the same fitness creators, who talk about the brand regularly. Over time, these mentions show up in blog posts, videos, and podcasts, many of which get indexed. In tech, Slack benefits from long-term integrations with productivity influencers who showcase real use cases.
By 2026, more companies will focus on this kind of strategy. It brings steady traffic, stronger links, and ongoing relevance in search. These results come from building valuable content and relationships. SEO teams will need to plan these campaigns carefully, so they stay relevant and keep bringing real visibility.
Voice Search Is Changing How People Ask
With more people using voice tools like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, the way they search is changing. Instead of typing short phrases, they speak full questions. Search engines now look for natural-sounding answers that match these types of queries.
One brand that has worked well with this shift is Domino’s. Their voice assistant helps customers place orders through smart speakers or mobile apps. This setup gives them a lead in being picked up in voice searches. On the retail side, Walmart structures its content to answer spoken questions like “Where can I buy this near me?”
To match this trend, SEO teams are building FAQ pages with common questions, using structured data so machines can pull clear answers. By 2026, these efforts will be required, and not optional. Pages that don’t support voice input may lose out, especially as smart devices become more popular in cars and homes. Simple answers written in plain terms will rank better than long or complex pages.
Video as a Search Asset, Not Just Content
Short videos are no longer only for social platforms. They are showing up in search results, especially when paired with good titles, clear transcripts, and clickable links. When done right, these videos answer questions, show products, and support conversions—making them a real part of SEO.
Samsung often uses short-form video to promote new products. These clips get featured on YouTube, embedded in landing pages, and picked up by search engines. In fashion, brands like Zara use short reels to display product lines with seasonal themes. These videos are now structured to include tags, captions, and SEO-focused descriptions.
By 2026, more companies will treat video as searchable content. ASOS is one of the first to implement this, so it is no longer just a pioneer in image search, but is also shaping the video search marketing as well. This means that SEO professionals will need to work closely with video editors to make sure their content isn’t just attractive but also readable to machines.
Simple things like adding subtitles and breaking content into chapters will make the difference between getting found and being ignored.
Reviews Now Carry More Weight in Local SEO
Online reviews have always been important, but now they play a bigger role. AI models used by search platforms are learning from feedback signals to determine whether a business is reliable. They use the tone, timing, and source of reviews to decide how well a company meets user needs.
Google Business profiles are a key part of this. When they’re kept updated with accurate hours, photos, and replies, those signals help improve local rankings. McDonald’s, for example, ensures that all store pages across cities reflect current services and are tied to user comments. These small updates push them higher in local searches.
Even smaller businesses are catching on. Local salons and restaurants that respond to reviews and keep their business data current are seeing more map visibility. By 2026, this kind of activity will become part of regular SEO work. Search engines will trust businesses more when they appear active, have been reviewed by real users, and are consistent across all listings.