Will You Still Need a Website in 2026? – SEO Southwest

In the current episode of the Google SEO podcast “Search Off the Record”, Martin Splitt and Gary Illyes discuss the question of whether you will still need your own website in 2026.

Discussions about the need to have your own website come back every few years, similar to the question of whether the web is on the verge of extinction given new technologies like apps or AI, or whether SEO is dead.

Martin Splitt and Gary Illyes discuss the importance of having your own websites in a new edition of the Google SEO podcast “Search Off the Record” and agree that the web is far from dead, just changing; Many modern interfaces such as chatbots, voice assistants or mobile apps still obtain their information fundamentally from the web or even only serve as a wrapper for websites.

The focus of the discussion is the influence of AI and LLMs on web usage. Although chatbots can summarize and process information, Martin and Gary say websites remain essential as a primary data source because LLMs are trained on web content. In addition, websites are better suited for sharing information with a large group in a targeted and precise manner, while answers from chatbots can vary and do not always hit the desired point. When searching for information, AI overviews often serve as an entry point that ultimately leads users back to specific websites for in-depth information.

Websites are particularly important in terms of control and freedom of content by the authors: In contrast to social platforms, which filter content through algorithms and heavily regulate the monetization or type of content, your own website offers data sovereignty. The website operator decides himself about design, advertising, affiliate links and the highlighting of certain content, without running the risk of an algorithm limiting visibility.

In addition, a well-made website can increase the trustworthiness and legitimacy of a company. However, you have to be careful that this possible advantage does not turn into the opposite, because a poorly designed website can have a negative impact.

However, according to Martin and Gary, websites are not absolutely necessary for every purpose. For example, social networks are great for distributing content and creating reach, and in some regions, companies successfully conduct business exclusively through platforms such as Facebook or WhatsApp. Certain game apps also generate millions in sales through app stores and advertising alone, without relying on a classic website.

As is so often the case when it comes to the question of whether you need your own website: “It depends”: A website is a tool that makes sense when you need independence from platforms, specific functions or a central point of contact, while social media may be sufficient for other goals.