MY JAM! ALL THINGS E. (February 2026)

The Disruption of Search. It’s not the same anymore. Traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the process of ranking blue links, has evolved into Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). This requires a certain type of expert to prepare a strategy and instruct web designers on what to do. This is something I offer!

Direct Answers. With Google’s AI Overviews and assistants like SearchGPT, users increasingly receive summarized answers directly on the search page, leading to a “zero-click” environment where being a cited source is more valuable than just providing a link. This has resulted in a significant loss in website traffic for a lot of businessess. How do you get your business featured on direct answers? You chat to me!

Search Everywhere. Just like when you have lost your car keys or wedding ring, South Africans are turning to platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit as primary search engines for product discovery and “how-to” advice, often bypassing Google. Google is not happy about this of course and will respond in the future with some new ideas. For now, an all-inclusive and consistent plan requires very careful planning and implementation. This is also something I help my clients with.

The Evolution of Social Media. Social media has transcended its role as just a social or promotional channel; it has become a vital layer of business trust and a search-first discovery engine. If you don’t have social media, you’re not trusted – its that simple. Getting featured on platforms is not good enough; the content has to be on brand and instill confidence. I help clients with this.

Authenticity Over Polish. Wax on, wax off does not work anymore Mr Miyagi. Consumers are developing “AI blindness,” tending to overlook overly polished corporate content. In 2026, genuine, behind-the-scenes, and “human-led” content (such as founder stories) will be more effective at fostering trust. You literally need to show some cracks and dust.

Commerce. The line between “liking” and “buying” has disappeared. Platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Shop enable seamless in-app purchases, collapsing traditional sales funnels into single short-form videos. I am a digital architect and can help implement solutions for online and in-store. Virtual and brick-and-mortar.

A Privacy-First Era. Well, that’s the goal anyway. The “era of digital stalking” has concluded with the decline of third-party cookies. Protecting client, colleague, and supplier information is not only an ethical consideration but also a legal one. I help with solutions for data, as well as policy development.

First-Party Data Gold Rush. Businesses must now focus on data they collect directly from users (first-party data). This requires some tweaking of old systems, including your website, as well as how information is shared and stored with business teams. The trick that many marketing gurus are needing to grapple with is something I have been doing for years already: working on Value Exchange strategies and offering tangible benefits, like specialized tools or guides, in return for user consent and information.

Emergence of Agentic AI. In 2026, AI has transitioned from being seen as a “shiny new tool” to an integrated operating system – fortunately still not yet self aware! Autonomous Agents: Unlike traditional tools that require step-by-step commands, Agentic AI can autonomously plan and execute complex workflows, such as managing an entire email sequence or optimizing ad spend across various platforms.

The END.