As we gear up for the holiday season and revamp our marketing strategies for the upcoming year, one cannot help but wonder—what is in store for SEO copywriting in 2026? SEO did quite the somersault in 2025, and with all these major changes taking place, copywriters and marketers need to prepare themselves for what is coming next.
Here are some of the most pressing matters:
- Search engines aren’t focusing on keywords anymore, so what are they looking for?
- AI tools are now being treated as co-authors, with search engines pushing content created by humans using machines. Where does that leave us with creativity?
- ‘Zero-Click’ is on the rise, making writers worry that AI overviews will make their blogs less valuable in the long run, as most answers are now being provided without clicks.
How do you write great copy when you feel like you’re in a battlefield—dodging machines, watching structure, and trying to engage at the same time? Following the herd comes at a cost; you feel like you’re giving up your soul. And resisting the AI revolution means letting your competitors get ahead of you using smart tech.
At Tower 25, we might have cracked the code for writing copy that helps your brand stand out, while staying agile. Here are some of our tried-and-true copywriting practices that you can adopt to ensure your copy ranks and resonates.
Don’t Train Humans to Read AI, Train AI to Write for Humans
It seems everyone has been using AI wrong. The problem isn’t copywriters using AI; it’s copywriters settling for untrained AI agents. The goal of using AI is as a tool to assist production, not to have it call the shots.
With this simple shift in mindset, we can remove one of the biggest blocks in writing that has ever existed. Without repetitive tasks such as drafting, outlining, and editing, you eliminate hours of work, so the writer can focus on the part they actually find fulfilling: putting their ideas on paper.
The only reason content sounds like AI is that it’s missing human ideas, and AI cannot replace them. If you use AI to generate headlines and variations, but you add the human touch of storytelling, infused with emotional intelligence, you get copy that not only resonates with people but converts.
The value of human creativity has never been more evident than with the use of AI, because AI can’t replicate tone, empathy, cultural nuance, and storytelling.
Take, for example, Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl, massively criticized by her loyal fans for sounding like AI slop, whereas Lily Allen’s West End Girl was received positively despite being polarizing.
What’s the difference?
One is a product of mass production, and the other is so uniquely human that there’s no way anyone could make it AI.
The truth? AI is used on most albums for songwriting, vocal synthesis, enhancement, mixing, and so much more.
No one is mad at the use of AI; they’re angry because AI isn’t being used for what it’s meant for. This is exactly the lesson that copywriters, marketers, and creatives of all sorts need to take with them into 2026.
AI cannot take your job if your job is creativity.
Picking Search Intent Over Keyword Optimization Any Day
In 2026, you mustn’t stuff keywords. Google doesn’t care about keywords as much as it cares about user experience. The goal is to optimize your content and website for people. This impacts your reliability and usability by ensuring that people stay on your website longer.
Another reason why user experience matters is because of the copy. The copy has to match what the user wants. It’s not just about applying keywords; it’s about creating a hook that compels users to stay and learn more.
Micro-intents are the small, specific goals that users have when they search for particular keywords (long-tail keywords). In 2026, copywriting should focus on incorporating these into landing pages. This allows your content to perform better than the traditional keyword-packed approach by utilizing real-life, relevant conversation topics.
Refresh Old Content Like It’s a New Campaign
There’s no reason all your hard work has to go down the drain just because the algorithm is changing. Updating existing web pages can drive 2–3x more organic traffic. And you can be sure that your competitors aren’t using this trick because it’s one of the most overlooked SEO copywriting practices.
This is a great way to breathe new life into your website and ensure your work still speaks to readers, even when the internet is moving fast and things are changing.
If you’re interested in refreshing your website copy, here’s a checklist:
- Audit performance metrics – Identify posts with decent impressions but low CTR or engagement. These are prime for rewrites.
- Re-evaluate keywords – Use AI-enhanced SEO tools (like Ahrefs or SEMrush’s keyword intent filters) to find new long-tail variations relevant in 2026.
- Update stats, links, and visuals – Replace data older than 12 months; cite reputable 2025–2026 sources; ensure all links still work.
- Optimize structure – Reorganize content with H2s that mirror searcher intent (“how,” “why,” “best ways”).
- Enhance UX – Add jump links, tables, checklists, and relevant CTAs to guide user flow.
- Repurpose for distribution – Turn refreshed content into social carousels, short-form videos, or newsletter features.