Review: The New Rules of SEO (2026) By Neil Patel

The video “The New Rules of SEO (2026)” is a digital marketing strategy talk focused on how search behavior has changed in recent years and why traditional SEO (optimizing mainly for Google rankings) isn’t enough anymore. The speaker (a well-known SEO expert) argues that modern SEO requires presence across many platforms where people now make decisions, not just search queries.

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Here are the key points covered in the video:

1. The Shift from Search to Decisions
People no longer rely solely on typing keywords into Google. Instead, they make micro-decisions across platforms like TikTok, Reddit, YouTube, Amazon, ChatGPT, and social media – often without ever going to a traditional search engine.

2. Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0)
The video introduces a concept called Search Everywhere Optimization, which means optimizing your brand or content for all platforms where decisions happen, not only Google. This includes tailoring content to platform formats and audience behavior (e.g., short viral videos on TikTok vs deep explainer videos on YouTube).

3. Validation Over Visibility
Instead of just trying to rank high, the video stresses the importance of being trusted and cited across the internet. Being visible isn’t enough if you aren’t part of the decision-making signals people rely on (reviews, discussions, mentions, AI responses).

4. Strategic Focus
Because covering everywhere is overwhelming, the speaker suggests choosing 2–3 platforms where your target audience makes decisions and building authority there first. This helps maximize impact without burning resources.

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This is a solid high-level update on how SEO has evolved and why modern online presence must go beyond Google. If you want to stay competitive in digital marketing, the ideas here offer a helpful strategic lens — especially in an era where AI and alternative discovery platforms are reshaping how people find information and make buying decisions.