The SEO conferences influencing 2026: MozCon, Ahrefs Evolve, BrightonSEO, and others | TNW

      One of the confirmed sessions for MozCon's New York event is titled “Preparing for the Death of the Open Web,” presented by Mike King, founder of the digital marketing agency iPullRank. It may not be the most shocking title on the 2026 conference agenda, but it is arguably the most candid.

      The context is difficult to overlook. At Google I/O 2026, the company revealed a major revision of its search product—the first in over twenty years. This overhaul replaced the traditional search box with AI-powered information agents, shifting the focus from ranked links to generative responses.

      A recent analysis from TNW indicates that zero-click searches now make up 60 percent of all Google queries, while organic traffic from search to publishers has dropped by 33 percent worldwide. Some publishers have even reported losing 70 to 80 percent of their search-driven visits.

      For marketing and SEO professionals, these developments represent a critical shift that must be navigated in real time without a definitive playbook. The conference circuit has become a rapid feedback mechanism within the industry, bridging the gap between those who recently discovered solutions and those who need them immediately.

      In 2026, all major events on the calendar revolve around the same key question.

      Disclosure: The MozCon links in this article are affiliate links, and TNW may earn a commission if tickets are purchased through them.

      The conference calendar, spanning June to November, begins in Boston with SMX Advanced, organized by Search Engine Land, taking place from June 3 to 5 at the Westin Boston Seaport District. This long-standing expert-level search conference has introduced dedicated programming for generative engine optimization (GEO) and AI-driven search, complementing its traditional SEO and paid search tracks. The opening keynote will be delivered by Purna Virji from LinkedIn, whose talk is titled “Your AI ROI story is broken,” addressing the disconnect between AI investments and the ability to demonstrate measurable business outcomes. All-access passes range from $1,445 to $1,795, with a free expo pass available for keynotes and the exhibition floor.

      MozCon will take place in New York on July 14 at The Glasshouse, located at 660 12th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Now in its second year as a roadshow after successfully running in both cities in 2025, it is a one-day, single-track event, eliminating the dilemma of selecting between competing sessions.

      The confirmed speaker lineup in New York features eight individuals, offering insights into the industry's current focal points. Tom Capper from Moz will kick off the event with a presentation titled “Billboard SEO: How to Win Google’s Visual Real Estate,” highlighting that achieving the top organic ranking no longer carries the same significance. Crystal Carter, Head of AI Search and SEO Communications at Wix, will conclude the formal agenda with “How to get your website ready for AI Agents.” In between, Eric Siu will discuss AI workflows that drive measurable revenue, while Debbie Chew will examine the role of digital PR in large language model (LLM) citations. A panel discussion will explore “Top Strategies to Dominate Answer Engines,” explicitly mentioning AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. Mike King’s lecture on the open web is scheduled for the afternoon. Early-bird tickets start at $649; further details and registration can be found on the MozCon NYC page.

      In September, BrightonSEO will make its way to the United States. Originating from the UK, this conference typically attracts over 4,000 attendees to its twice-yearly Brighton events. Its San Diego edition will take place at the San Diego Convention Center on September 15 and 16. BrightonSEO has historically been one of the more accessible events in the sector. Single-day passes in San Diego are available for free through a request process, while two-day passes start at $865 before prices increase in July. A Hero Conf PPC track will run alongside SEO content for both days. The UK autumn edition is set for October 8 and 9 at the Brighton Centre, with two-day passes priced from £300 plus VAT.

      Ahrefs Evolve will return to the InterContinental San Diego on October 12 and 13, attracting over 600 marketers from various countries. Ahrefs has structured this event specifically around AEO—its distinctive approach to answer engine optimization that focuses on content visibility in AI-generated responses, as opposed to traditional ranking. Confirmed speakers include Rand Fishkin of SparkToro, Ann Handley of MarketingProfs, international SEO consultant Aleyda Solis, and Austin Lau from Anthropic’s growth marketing team. Patrick Stox, Ahrefs’ technical SEO brand ambassador, is also scheduled to speak, though his session details were not available at the time of writing. Tickets are available starting from $899 for a standard two-day pass, with all-access passes—including session recordings, reserved seating, and a pre-event speaker