The Future of SEO: AI Search, Agency Survival & Who to Hire in 2026

#SEO #seoagency #hireseo

Welcome to Search Standard, the webinar series for SEO and search agency leaders navigating AI search, team building, and what it actually takes to grow in 2026.

In Episode 1, our Head of Recruitment, Daris Benallal is joined by three agency operators who are living this in real time:
→ Anthony Barone | Co-Founder & MD, StudioHawk UK
→ Charlie | Head of SEO & AI Search, SiteLogic
→ Kevin | Founder, GrowTech

What we cover:
– The moment AI search stopped being a trend and became a client conversation
– Why chasing AEO before SEO fundamentals is a mistake most agencies are making
– How the shift from clicks to revenue changes the way you sell SEO
– What agencies are actually looking for in hires right now, and what hard skills have lost relevance
– Curiosity, cultural fit, and what side projects tell you that a CV never will
– AI overviews: the biggest organic opportunity left in the SERP?

🔗 Links:
StudioHawk UK → https://studiohawk.com/
Anthony Barone → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-barone-seo/

SiteLogic → https://www.sitelogicdigital.com/
Charlie Morley-Harman → https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmh-seo/

Growthack → https://growthack.io/
Kevin Kapezi → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkapezi/

👤 Follow Search for Hire:
LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/search-for-hire
Website → searchforhire.com
Daris Benallal → https://www.linkedin.com/in/darisbenallal-seoforhire/

📌 Subscribe and drop your questions in the comments below

#SEO #AISearch #AgencyGrowth #SearchMarketing #SearchStandard #DigitalMarketing #SEOAgency #GEO #AEO #AIO

Timestamps

0:00 Intro — Search Standard series launch
2:10 The penny-drop moment — when AI search got real
6:30 Clients chasing the shiny toy — AEO before the basics
12:00 How agencies are packaging AI search as a service
18:30 Revenue over rankings — selling SEO the right way now
24:00 Personalized search & what it means for Ecom
30:00 Who SEO agencies are hiring in 2026
36:00 Curiosity, cultural fit & the portfolio test
42:30 AI overviews — threat or opportunity?
46:00 Wrap-up & where to find the guests

Видео The Future of SEO: AI Search, Agency Survival & Who to Hire in 2026 канала Search For Hire