SEO in 2026: Is AI search killing website traffic? | Rick Talbot

Search is changing, and the way customers find your business is evolving fast.So the question is: are you still showing up?In this episode of Scale-Up Sessions, we explore how shifting search behaviour is reshaping visibility for growing businesses, and what scale-ups need to do to stay discoverable in an increasingly fragmented landscape.Joining us is Rick Talbot, Director of Digital at Totally Digital. Rick works across marketing, product and engineering teams to help organisations navigate complex changes in SEO, content and digital discovery, to help B2B and B2C businesses grow through search.We break down how customer expectations have evolved, from AI-generated answers and zero-click searches to people using social channels as search engines. We discuss where businesses are most at risk of quietly losing visibility, why relying too heavily on paid channels can be risky and how scale-ups can rethink their approach to search to support sustainable growth.This conversation is packed with practical advice on building a search strategy that adapts.● Follow Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkennington/● Follow Rick Talbot on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-talbot-47525b53/Scale-Up Sessions is brought to you by Cynergy Bank. To learn more about Cynergy Bank, visit https://www.cynergybank.co.uk/This episode was produced by Flamingo Media. If you want to create a chart-topping podcast visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk