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Guides12 July 2026

How AI is changing brand and web in 2026

AI has changed how people find businesses and what a website has to do. Here is what actually matters for brand and web in 2026, without the hype.

By Henry Guest, founder, russle

Frequently asked questions

What is GEO and how is it different from SEO?

GEO, generative engine optimisation, is about getting cited by AI search tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews. SEO is about ranking in the classic results page. They overlap but are not the same, and in 2026 you want both.

Do I need AI features on my website?

Only where they genuinely help the customer, such as answering questions or speeding up a booking. AI for its own sake adds clutter. The useful question is whether a feature saves the visitor time.

Will AI replace web designers?

No, but it changes the job. AI speeds up parts of the work and adds new things to get right, like AI search. Judgement about brand, clarity, and what converts still matters.

Written by

Henry Guest, founder, russle

Henry Guest is the founder of russle, a web design, ecommerce and SEO studio working with ambitious businesses across the UK.

More about russle

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