TL;DR Summary of Top GEO and AI Search Conferences in 2026
Optimixed’s Overview: Essential 2026 Conferences Shaping the Future of AI-Driven SEO and GEO Marketing
Emergence of Specialized AI and GEO SEO Conferences
In just a few years, the SEO landscape has transformed with the rise of AI-powered search and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). The 2026 calendar showcases a robust lineup of conferences worldwide, each focusing on the intersection of AI, SEO, and marketing. These events are pivotal for marketers and SEO professionals eager to understand and leverage AI search engines effectively.
Key Conferences and What They Offer
- AEO Conf (San Francisco, Feb 19): Industry leaders like Glen Coates (OpenAI) reveal actionable playbooks for winning visibility in AI answers, including real-world case studies such as Webflow’s signup growth.
- SEO & GEO Summit (Paris, Mar 18-20): France’s premier event with over 25 sessions on mastering AI-powered discovery and GEO strategies, hosted at Parc des Princes stadium with exclusive networking opportunities.
- Sydney SEO Conference (Mar 20): Australia’s largest SEO event featuring top experts like Aleyda Solis, focusing on preparing content for Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI-driven organic growth.
- Digital Marketing Europe (Lisbon, Apr 14-16): An AI-first marketing conference blending strategy and execution for brands aiming to be recommended by AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini.
- SEO Week (New York City, Apr 27-30): Premier AI+SEO event with 40+ speakers covering themes from technical SEO foundations to future GEO/AEO trends.
- BrightonSEO UK (Apr 30 – May 1): The world’s largest search marketing conference emphasizing AI search engines’ impact and automation in SEO.
- Ahrefs Evolve Singapore (May 14): Intimate Asian gathering focused on AI search discoverability with practical strategies and direct conversations.
- Demand & Expand (San Francisco, May 19-20): Tackles AI marketing challenges at scale, including attribution without clicks and building demand in AI-first environments.
- GEO Conference (Washington DC, Jun 18): Official GEO conference offering focused talks, limited attendance for quality networking, and exclusive experiences like a sunset yacht party.
- MozCon (New York City, Jul 14): One-track, high-signal conference with a strong focus on AI search visibility and workflows, featuring SEO veterans.
- BrightonSEO San Diego (Sep 15-16): US edition of the largest search conference, highlighting AI-powered search updates and hands-on technical SEO workshops.
- INBOUND 2026 (Boston, Sep 16-18): HubSpot’s flagship marketing event diving deep into AI agents, personalization, and AI search optimization.
- GEO KNOW HOW (Berlin, Oct 1): Germany’s exclusive GEO conference in German, focused on local brands optimizing for AI-generated answers.
- Ahrefs Evolve (San Diego, Oct 12-13): The flagship four-day event gathering 600+ professionals to collaboratively solve AI search discoverability challenges.
Why These Conferences Matter
These events are not just theoretical forums; they provide practical insights, networking with top professionals, and real-world case studies. Attendees learn how to adapt SEO strategies for AI-driven platforms, understand the mechanics behind AI search engines, and prepare their brands for the evolving digital discovery landscape. The blend of technical sessions, masterclasses, and social events ensures a comprehensive learning experience tailored to today’s SEO challenges.
Final Thoughts
For any SEO or marketing professional, participating in one or more of these 2026 conferences is crucial to stay ahead. As AI continues to redefine search and discovery, mastering GEO, AEO, and LLMO strategies will be key to maintaining online visibility and driving growth in an AI-first world.
