Mastering Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0) for B2B: A Strategic Shift in 2026

SEO, or Search everywhere optimization, is the ability of people to find you no matter where they are online.

And they’re not just looking on Google anymore.

People are looking to TikTok for product recommendations, Reddit for brutally honest reviews, and ChatGPT for personal shopping lists and recommendations, often in the middle of conversations about their own or their professional problems.

They are looking where they already spend their time, for the kind of authentic, unfiltered content that traditional search results often do not find, or asking AI to help them choose from too many options in a field they don’t know much about.

So, while traditional SEO asks, “How do we get to the top of Google?” Search Everywhere Optimization asks, “Where is our audience looking and how do we show up there?”

What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ does "Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0)" mean?

Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0) refers to the practice of having a strong digital presence not only on Google but also on other platforms that B2B buyers will be using the most in 2026. The focus has shifted from grabbing a top spot on Google to being present across multiple channels – social networks, AI-based search engines, video-sharing sites, or online stores.

SEO 2.0 in B2B is, in essence, a way of tailoring your content and interaction for LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and AI systems like ChatGPT. It’s about being visible to potential customers wherever they look, and about delivering value and genuine communication rather than a search for keywords.

The Rise of AI Discovery Optimization

AI search engines are a very powerful trend, and AI Discovery Optimisation is an integral part of SEO 2.0 for B2B, where AI systems such as ChatGPT and Perplexity are revolutionising our search behavior by providing us with accurate, up-to-date answers based on data gathered from multiple sources. This allows B2B firms to identify a new segment of the market, AI-powered discovery.

While traditional search engines crawl the web and position pages based on keywords, AI engines digest information and respond directly to users in conversation. This implies that for a firm, optimizing for AI discovery should be a priority. The content must be organized so that AI assistants can easily read, quote, and present it as a response to a user’s question. AI Discovery Optimization is, in essence, the optimization of your content for visibility into AI engines that are now the most popular source of information for B2B buyers.

Why SEO 2.0 Matters for B2B

Several​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ years ago, Google was the #1 platform for B2B buyers to find products and services. However, as consumers change their habits, businesses must also evolve their approaches to visibility. The rise of social platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and AI-powered engines such as ChatGPT and Perplexity has demonstrated that your clients are not only searching on Google anymore. Hence, to remain competitive in 2026, one has to fully implement Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0) for B2B.

Here are some points I can give to you:

• The younger generation (Gen Z) will rather check out product reviews and get recommendations on TikTok than on Google.
• The B2B customers tend to get their questions answered via LinkedIn groups, and look for insights and solutions in communal discussions instead of just using Google.
• For e-commerce buying, customers are visiting Jumia, Amazon, or niche marketplaces, and again, not only Google.

This evolution has forced companies to move beyond the old SEO methods when it comes to their marketing strategies to engage their audience. For you to be successful with SEO 2.0 for B2B, you should consider optimizing your brand across the different websites and platforms where your customers are present.

5 Key Platforms to Optimize for SEO 2.0

To​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ carry out an effective Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0 for B2B) strategy, a company should pinpoint the platforms where B2B buyers are most likely to be searching for solutions and interacting with content. Below are 5 key platforms that will be worth focusing on in 2026:

• LinkedIn: improve for business SEO on LinkedIn, so that content appears on profiles, posts and groups, improving your B2B social search strategy.
• TikTok: Since 62% of Gen Z use TikTok for product reviews, it’s imperative that industries which depend on visuals take a B2B social search strategy on this platform.
• YouTube: With 2.5 billion monthly visits, YouTube is the place to go for video demos and tutorials. Content optimized for SEO 2.0 increases visibility in the results.
• Reddit: Join relevant subreddits to build trust without explicit promotion.
• AI Engines: improve content for AI Discovery Optimization so it can be found through AI tools like ChatGPT.

​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌How to Implement SEO 2.0 for B2B

It can be overwhelming to start with SEvO, but your audience is what matters. Create a detailed buyer persona that goes beyond demographics – understand their problems, their research habits, and their preferred platforms. Use tools such as Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer and SparkToro to find what your target audience is looking for and on which platforms they are using. 

Find out what your competition is doing well with their content and engagement across platforms. By understanding how your audience spends their time, you can better plan content for the right platforms, so that your content is relevant to their behavior and platform culture rather than trying to be everywhere at once.

Conclusion: The Future of B2B SEO

By 2026, SEO is no longer about ranking on Google. Social networks, AI engines, and video search are making it increasingly important that businesses adopt Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0) in order to be visible and competitive. By optimizing for LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit and other AI-driven search engines, B2B businesses can be sure they are meeting their customers at every touch point.

Are you ready to learn SEO 2.0 for your B2B business? Start today by optimizing for the platforms your audience uses most, and ask for help developing a plan that works for you.

SEO 2.0 will help you unlock your Business’ full potential! Growthmak helps you improve on LinkedIn, TikTok, and AI engines. Start your journey to greater visibility today!

FAQs

1) What is Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO 2.0)?
It’s the strategy of improving visibility across multiple platforms—not just Google—so customers can find you on social, video, communities, and AI.

2) Why is SEO 2.0 for B2B important in 2026?
Because B2B buyers now research on LinkedIn, watch demos on YouTube, check opinions on Reddit, and ask AI tools like ChatGPT for recommendations.

3) How does AI Discovery Optimization work?
It focuses on structuring and publishing authoritative content so AI engines can understand, trust, and reference your brand in their answers.

4) What should I optimize on LinkedIn first?
Your profile headline/about section, consistent keyword-driven posts, and meaningful engagement in niche groups—core LinkedIn SEO for business basics.

5) How do I start without trying to be everywhere?
Pick 1–2 platforms where your buyers already spend time, build repeatable content formats, track results, then expand your B2B social search strategy.