The SEO conferences shaping 2026: MozCon, Ahrefs Evolve, BrightonSEO, and more | TNW
Events
TNW Conference
June 19 & 20, 2025
- All events
- Newsletters
- Partner with us
- Jobs
- Contact
News
- Latest
- Deep tech
- Sustainability
- Ecosystems
- Data and security
- Fintech and ecommerce
- Future of work
- Conference media hub
The SEO conference circuit in 2026: A Discussion on the Future
The year 2026 promises a vibrant debate within the SEO community, as conferences navigate a rapidly evolving search landscape.
May 24, 2026 - 4:58 pm (Image by: Canva)
One notable session at MozCon’s New York event is titled “Preparing for the Death of the Open Web,” led by Mike King, founder of iPullRank, an digital marketing agency. This session reflects a growing awareness that Google's recent overhaul of its search product marks a significant turning point.
Google I/O 2026 introduced AI-powered information agents, shifting the focus from traditional ranked links to generative responses. TNW analysis reveals that zero-click searches now account for 60% of all Google queries, resulting in a dramatic decline in organic traffic for publishers worldwide. Some have seen visits drop by as much as 70-80%.
The Conference Circuit Responds
Faced with this shift, the conference circuit has become a vital hub for real-time knowledge sharing and adaptation. Every major event from June to November grapples with the same central question: How do we navigate this new era of search?
Conference Highlights (June - November)
-
SMX Advanced (Boston, June 3-5): This long-running expert-level search conference adds dedicated tracks for Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and AI-driven search alongside its traditional SEO and paid search programs. The opening keynote from Purna Virji of LinkedIn explores the gap between AI investments and measurable business results.
-
MozCon (New York, July 14): Now in its second year as a roadshow, MozCon offers a single-day, single-track event with eight confirmed speakers addressing pressing industry topics.
-
BrightonSEO (Brighton, UK, [Date]) and others will follow, each contributing unique insights and perspectives on the future of SEO.