Back in 2019, Ndevr published a breakdown of the biggest 2019 SEO trends shaping digital strategy. We’ve been surprised to see that post trending upward again—proof that marketing managers and digital leaders are still searching for clarity in an industry that changes constantly.
But here’s what most people don’t talk about: The SEO strategies that worked in 2019 still work in 2026. Not because Google stayed the same, but because the fundamentals of experience haven’t changed.
The tools evolved. Algorithms shifted. AI transformed the landscape. But the underlying principles that make websites successful? Those stayed remarkably consistent.
Below, we revisit the key themes from 2019 and break down why they continue to drive results today—and how growing brands should apply them in 2026.
1. User Intent Is Still the Algorithm (Even With AI Overviews)
In 2019, SEO conversations centered around “matching user intent.” In 2026, it’s even more critical for ecommerce and content-driven brands.
Why it still matters:
Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) organizes results around intent, not just keywords. AI-powered answers pull from content that clearly addresses why someone is searching—not just what they’re searching for. Pages that satisfy intent keep users engaged longer, which signals quality to search engines.
For brands running paid and organic strategies together, intent alignment means your SEO work supports your paid landing pages, and vice versa. When someone searches for “best running shoes for trail running,” they want comparison content and purchase options—not a generic homepage.
What to do in 2026:
Build pages that align with the customer journey: research, evaluation, and purchase decision stages. Create content that answers questions better and more completely than AI can summarize. Use structured data to reinforce what each page is trying to accomplish.
Your marketing team should map content to actual customer questions and search behavior, not just keyword volume. Tools like Answer the Public and “People Also Ask” sections reveal what your audience actually wants to know.
2. Page Speed Directly Impacts Revenue (Not Just Rankings)
2019 was the year page speed moved from “nice to have” to “must fix.” 2026 is the year slow sites cost you customers, not just rankings.
Why it still matters:
Core Web Vitals evolved, with INP (Interaction to Next Paint) now carrying significant weight. AI search surfaces fast-loading pages more prominently. And most importantly for ecommerce brands: every second of load time directly impacts conversion rates.
For growing brands, this isn’t just an SEO issue—it’s a revenue issue. A page that takes 5 seconds to load on mobile converts significantly worse than one that loads in 2 seconds. You’re losing customers before they even see your product.
What to do in 2026:
Reduce JavaScript bloat, especially from marketing tags and tracking scripts. Defer non-critical scripts and optimize your rendering pipeline. Use performance-focused hosting and implement real user monitoring to catch slowdowns before they hurt conversions.
Don’t just aim to “pass” Core Web Vitals—aim for excellence. Your competitors are, and Google rewards it. More importantly, your customers notice the difference.
3. High-Quality Content Still Wins (Despite AI Summaries)
2019 SEO trends emphasized long-form content with depth and authority. That hasn’t changed, even as AI summaries dominate search results.
Why it still matters:
AI summaries need a source—your content can be that source. Google favors content with depth, clarity, and demonstrated expertise (E-E-A-T). Long-form, comprehensive content fuels topical authority, which helps your entire site rank better.
For brands building organic traffic as a growth channel, quality content is your moat. Anyone can publish thin product descriptions. Few brands invest in genuinely helpful guides, comparisons, and resources that build trust before the purchase decision.
What to do in 2026:
Invest in fewer, deeper pieces rather than churning out thin content. Update your best-performing legacy content annually to keep it fresh and accurate. Build topic clusters with strong internal linking—connect related content so Google understands your expertise.
Your marketing team should create content that supports the entire funnel, not just top-of-funnel traffic. “How to choose” guides, comparison articles, and use case content all drive qualified traffic that actually converts.
4. Technical SEO Is No Longer Optional for Growing Brands
In 2019, structured data, clean site architecture, and crawlability were gaining traction. In 2026, these are baseline expectations—especially for ecommerce sites.
Why it still matters:
AI overviews rely heavily on schema markup and structured content to understand what you offer. Google’s crawler budgets are tighter, meaning messy sites get de-prioritized. Technical debt accumulates quickly and kills rankings, speed, and overall site performance.
For brands scaling their product catalogs or content libraries, technical SEO determines whether Google can actually find and index your pages. A poorly structured site means your new products don’t show up in search, even if everything else is optimized.
What to do in 2026:
Review your schema markup to ensure it’s complete and accurate—product schema, review schema, FAQ schema all help AI understand your content. Improve site architecture to reduce orphan pages and ensure important pages are easily crawlable. Run quarterly technical audits before problems compound.
If your site has grown organically over years without intentional structure, now’s the time to clean it up. Every site migration, CMS change, or major redesign is an opportunity to fix technical issues that have been holding you back.
5. Mobile-First Is Now Mobile-Everything
2019 pushed responsive design and mobile optimization. 2026 demands mobile experiences that feel native and instant.
Why it still matters:
Most ecommerce traffic comes from mobile devices. Google ranks based on mobile performance first. Users expect frictionless mobile experiences—slow, clunky mobile sites don’t just rank poorly, they convert poorly.
For growing brands, mobile performance is table stakes. Your customers are browsing on phones during their commute, comparing products while standing in stores, and completing purchases on tablets. If your mobile experience frustrates them, they’ll buy from someone else.
What to do in 2026:
Test your mobile UX monthly, not just once after launch. Reduce input delays across all interactive components—buttons should respond instantly. Ensure your checkout flow works flawlessly on mobile, as this is where most cart abandonment happens.
Consider progressive web app (PWA) features for faster loading and app-like experiences without requiring downloads. Use server-driven UI patterns for speed and consistency across devices.
The Real Story: 2019’s Trends Worked Because They Focused on Experience
When we look back, 2019 wasn’t really about trends—it was about foundations. Everything rooted in user experience, content quality, and technical soundness aged well because these factors actually matter to real users.
Everything rooted in temporary hacks or algorithm manipulation? Didn’t age well at all.
This is why we built the 3E Framework around Audience Experience, Creator Experience, and Developer Experience. When all three work together, you build digital platforms that don’t just rank well—they convert well, scale well, and stay resilient as technology evolves.
Audience Experience means fast, intuitive sites that users trust and enjoy using.
Creator Experience means your team can publish and update content without technical bottlenecks slowing you down.
Developer Experience means your platform is maintainable and scalable, so technical improvements don’t require massive overhauls.
If you embraced experience-driven SEO back in 2019, you’re in a strong position now. If not, the good news is: it’s not too late. The fundamentals still work, and investing in them today will serve you well in 2027, 2028, and beyond.
If you want help auditing your site’s performance, technical SEO, or overall digital strategy, we’re happy to take a look.
Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out at ndevr.io/contact
Let’s build a foundation that lasts.
