From Emirates Stadium to the Turkish Riviera

Founded by SEO consultant Yağmur Şimşek, the independent community and event platform Search ’n Stuff for digital marketing professionals has completed its 2026 conference season. In two countries, two main conferences held four months apart brought together more than 350 experts from the fields of SEO, PPC, content, analytics, and AI search: Search ’n Stuff London, held on 26 June at Arsenal Football Club’s home Emirates Stadium, and Search ’n Stuff Antalya, a four‑day retreat format held at Balmy Foresta in Kemer from 1–4 October.

The Antalya event, which marked its third year on the Turkish Riviera, also hosted the first Search ’n Stuff Awards Gala Night. As the conference stages of the year close, the community is entering a period filled with retreats, meet‑ups, and new formats that keep the conversation going amid major events.

Antalya has always been our bridge. Speakers come from London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and many other cities, sharing the stage with the most competent experts. Thanks to simultaneous translation, no one has to choose between learning and feeling at home. The environment I envisioned when founding Search ’n Stuff was exactly that, and each year we get a little closer to it," said Search ’n Stuff founder Yağmur Şimşek.

The Antalya event continues at the request of participants. When Search ’n Stuff announced it would relocate to London in 2026, many regular attendees said they did not want to lose Antalya. The crowdfunding campaign launched between October 2025 and January 2026 with a target of 50 early tickets reached that goal. Afterwards, supporters anonymously voted on the topics they most wanted to hear, and about 80 percent of the speakers in Antalya were selected by that poll.

At the five‑star, all‑inclusive Balmy Foresta in Kemer, 150 participants from the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Turkey gathered under one roof for three nights over four days. Thanks to English‑Turkish simultaneous translation, each session could be followed in both languages. Conversations that began on stage continued into the late hours during breakfast and by the pool. Search ’n Stuff Antalya hosted at least 140–150 participants each year and won the silver award in the "Best New Conference" category at the 2025 Conference & Events Awards.

Main stage: Friday, 2 October

Following Yağmur Şimşek’s opening address and host Begüm Kaya, the program covered the full spectrum of modern search and growth marketing. Chris Green (Torque Partnership) explained why SEO specialists need to master data feeds. Emina Demiri‑Watson (Vixen Digital) tackled standards that could bring a marketing infrastructure down. Michael Van Den Reym (iO) demonstrated AI‑powered SEO workflows with Google AI Studio. Tom Capper (STAT & Moz) questioned how much organic traffic could drop as search results pages change. While Hannah Zora Strong (Zora Marketing) described how to grow local businesses with Google Ads, Metehan Yeşilyurt (Peec AI) addressed the citation patterns that shape productive engine optimization (GEO).

In the afternoon, Mery Hayles (Adthena) shared the first data‑driven lessons gleaned from ChatGPT Ads. Pieter Serraris (OMcollective) explained what AI hallucinations have taught marketers; Baki Erfidan (WhitePress) described the role of citations in large language models (LLM) and AI overviews. Arnout Hellemans (Onlinemarkethink) outlined how to build a marketing budget that solves the citation problem; Dan Truman (Duga Digital) showed how to set up digital analytics teams from scratch. Dawn Anderson (Bertey) delved deeply into knowledge access and machine learning for SEO. Judith Lewis (DeCabbit Consultancy) tackled the boardroom question: Who owns AI visibility and who holds the budget? The day ended with Yağmur Şimşek’s talk, “What If Your Community Was Your Biggest Growth Channel?” (Ya Topluluğunuz En Büyük Büyüme Kanalınız Olsaydı?).

Three panels offered different perspectives on the questions the industry is pondering:

SEO & AI Search: Making Better Decisions with Imperfect Data in 2027 — Moderator Julia‑Carolin Zeng; speakers Natalia Witczyk (Mosquita Digital), Mark Williams‑Cook (Candour & AlsoAsked), Gerry White (Dergal Ltd) and Charlie Whitworth (Whitworth – The Authentic SEO Company).

Same AI, Different Realities: What Adoption Actually Looks Like Across Industries — Moderator Mark Williams‑Cook; speakers Vanda Pokecz (Peec AI), Anthony Barone (StudioHawk) and Naim Çetintürk (RS Holding).

The Reality of Modern Growth: Search, AI and What Actually Works — Moderator Melissa Safak (Ipsos); speakers Begüm Kaya (Place to Be), Bengü Sarıca Dinçer (freelance SEO and analytics consultant), Erkut Köse (3GEN), Mert Oğuz (Monz), Metehan Yeşilyurt (Peec AI) and Mustafa Mert Özçiçek.

Workshops: Saturday, 3 October

On the second day, the focus shifted from listening to action. In the workshop led by PingCraft Collective founder Clara Soteras, titled “The Authority Game: Turning PR Actions into Digital Impact,” mixed teams developed and presented authority strategies for real brands. Afterwards, Kaan Çağlayan from 3GEN Digital Growth Agency conducted a Turkish-language workshop explaining how the Google Ads Quality Score shapes performance campaigns.

In the afternoon session titled “Different Roles, Shared Challenges,” brand, agency, freelancer, and SaaS professionals divided into small groups in the hotel gardens to share the problems awaiting solutions.

First Search ’n Stuff Awards

The day ended with the first Search ’n Stuff Awards Gala Night. The evening began with a session where Judith Lewis explained what the jury members actually look for in award submissions. In eight categories split between agency and in‑house work, finalists presented their projects live. Afterwards, a public vote was held and the winners were announced.

Best SEO Growth Strategy – Joint winners: air SEO powered by Whitworth and La Casa İstanbul × Garanti BBVA Yatırım

Best Performance Marketing Strategy – Winner: RS Oto Ekspertiz

Best Analytics & Measurement Framework – Winner: Lacoste × Ad Venture Digital

Best AI Visibility Strategy in Search – Winner: The winner's name is not mentioned in the text.

From the participants' perspective: Antalya 2026

Search ’n Stuff has been part of our journey from day one, and this was my third consecutive participation. What brings me back each year is the community: truly international, warm, and generous in sharing its knowledge. Hosting the event in Turkey makes it even more special; it brings the global search industry to our doorstep and gives our local market a real seat at the table. Seeing so many industry leaders together is rare, and Search ’n Stuff achieves this brilliantly. We are proud to support it and will continue to be there.

-Baki Erfidan, MENA and Turkey Regional Director, WhitePress®

Search 'n Stuff in Antalya is an excellent opportunity to learn and network. The conference was very well organized, I listened to some of the best speakers in our industry, and simultaneous translation made everything accessible to everyone. Everything at the venue, including the hotel, was arranged to provide the best conditions for a comfortable networking environment. There is no excuse for leaving the room!

-Julia-Carolin Zeng, SEO Consultant, Charlie on the Move Ltd

My second attendance at the Search 'n Stuff conference in Antalya was again a fantastic experience. The arrangement of everyone staying at the same hotel opens doors to many interesting conversations with other participants and speakers; visionary talks further energize these discussions. On top of that, staying in an all‑inclusive five‑star hotel is a unique pleasure. I'll be there again next year!

-Arnout Hellemans, Senior SEO and Analytics Consultant, Onlinemarkethink

Search 'n Stuff Antalya is the thing that brings clever people to a sunny place, serves cocktails and Turkish coffee without missing them. The sessions were fantastic, and the speakers didn't stop even when they stepped off the stage; the conversations they started continued at side events and late into the night. Everyone was eager to dive deep into the topic and share what they truly saw on site. The reason I've been coming back year after year is exactly this.

-Gerry White, SEO and GEO Consultant, Dergal

“First time I attended a Search ’n Stuff event, but it will definitely not be the last. The speakers were first‑class, but everything else that set this event apart was the rest. Networking, spending time together, sharing knowledge and getting to know each other; all of that, thanks to Yağmur, the Search ’n Stuff volunteers and everyone who attended the event, is taking place in a sincere and comfortable environment. I'm looking forward to the next one!”

-Pieter Serraris, Strategy Director, OMcollective

“Search ’n Stuff Antalya brings together expert sessions with high‑level discussions. The organizers think through every detail so that you feel comfortable and can focus solely on what matters: exchanging ideas and sharing experiences, often while strolling and chatting in a relaxed setting. We spent our time, looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, discussing where search and artificial intelligence are heading, while keeping the big changes in mind.”

-Alfonso Moure, CEO and Technical SEO/GEO & AI Ops, bigmomo

“Search ’n Stuff Antalya is first and foremost a community and gathering space. Over a few days you don't just exchange information; you also share easy conversations with international people from many different disciplines; new ideas and partnerships are already taking off there. I found an opportunity to run a workshop and create something practical: bringing together creative minds with technical minds in the same teams to produce knowledge and learning in a different way. Your daily life will feel refreshed. Thanks to the entire team that made this possible.”

-Clara Soteras, Media, SEO and Audience Growth Consultant; Founder, PingCraft Collective

Search ’n Stuff continues to add value, and this edition did not disappoint expectations! I am proud to contribute to the community and love being part of everything Yağmur does. This time it was especially special because we celebrated our community members' successes with the Search ’n Stuff Awards. Congratulations, keep it up!

-Begüm Kaya, Founder, Place to Be

Helping the organization and participating in a panel made Search ’n Stuff Antalya especially special for me. But my favorite part was having our community around me from breakfast to late at night. Usually I leave events saying, ‘We didn’t have enough time!’ In Antalya, however, we had time to go beyond the quick chat moments, share what we were working on, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

-Bengü Sarıca Dinçer, SEO and Analytics Consultant

The Search ’n Stuff event in Antalya was my first experience gathering with the community, and everyone was so warm and sincere that I immediately felt like one of them.

The event venue offered a perfect balance between the freedom to wander and rest and the opportunity to build stronger bonds by staying in the same place.

Because most conferences were held in city centres, everyone disperses to different places when the event ends. However, while walking around inside the hotel in Search ’n Stuff Antalya, it was wonderful to run into people from the world of search marketing by chance, only to find yourself invited to a lunch, the beach, or a bar!

"Whether you are just stepping into the industry or have been part of this world for years, it was truly a very nice experience for everyone."

-Hannah Zora Strong, Zora Marketing Advertising Manager

London 2026: Search ’n Stuff at Emirates Stadium

The season opened on 26 June at Arsenal Football Club's home, Emirates Stadium. The one‑day conference hosted about 150 SEO specialists, PPC professionals, analytics experts, content strategists, agency managers, entrepreneurs, and in‑house marketers from the United Kingdom and abroad.

On the London stage, Aleyda Solís, Lily Ray, Mark Williams-Cook, Navah Hopkins, Tom Capper, Chima Mmeje, Areej AbuAli, Helen Pollitt, Alex Moss, Ayisha Yousef, Charlie Whitworth, Jake Rudge, Lazarina Stoy and Itamar Blauer appeared. Hosting was handled by Katie Thompson (Katie Lingo).

Exposure Ninja CEO Charlie Marchant, Chima Mmeje, Areej AbuAli and Lazarina Stoy co‑hosted a panel on content signals and brand impact in 2026. The sessions covered AI‑powered search, content quality, brand visibility, innovation in paid media, measurement and automation.

From the participants’ perspective: London 2026

Search ’n Stuff London was a hot and well‑organized event. I thoroughly enjoyed being there as both a speaker and a community partner; it was wonderful to see thought‑provoking conversations, industry insight, and a genuine sense of community come together so powerfully throughout the day.

-Areej AbuAli, Founder, Women in Tech SEO

A real milestone was written on 26 June 2026… The real magic was happening at Arsenal Stadium for the Search ’n Stuff Conference! Being right in the middle of SEO and GEO history on such an iconic date was unforgettable. The community’s energy was electric and the speaker lineup was priceless… A huge thank you to Yağmur Şimşek for giving us the chance to sponsor WhitePress® and for his endless devotion to this fantastic community. We’re already looking forward to the next match!

-Jeremy Scott, Senior International Business Development Manager, WhitePress®

It was a wonderful experience to speak at Search ’n Stuff. I moderated a panel on content signals and brand impact in 2026 with heavyweights of the industry such as Chima Mmeje, Areej AbuAli, and Lazarina Stoy. The conference brings together many of the most recognized experts in the digital marketing sector and offers a warm, intimate setting where lively discussion and bright insights unfold.

-Charlie Marchant, CEO, Exposure Ninja

Hosting such a well-organized event was a great pleasure. We saw some of the biggest names in the SEO world gather in a dazzling venue, and the atmosphere couldn't have been warmer. There was a real sense of community; I look forward to the next one with great anticipation.

-Katie Thompson, General Manager, Katie Lingo

Sponsors and Partners

Both conferences were made possible thanks to sponsors and partners who share the community's values.

Antalya 2026, held with the support of gold sponsors Adthena, AIR SEO, RS Holding and WhitePress® Turkey. Among media partners were Belgrade SEO Conference, DAX Marketing, Edvido, SearchNorwichXL, SERP Conf., Don’t Panic and VANTAGE52; community partners included 3GEN, Athens SEO, bigmomo, Clara Soteras, FandangoSEO, GeoGenie, Monz, Peaksense, PingCraft Collective, Search London, SEOFOMO, SE Ranking, Woohoo Digital and Women in Tech SEO.

London 2026, on the other hand, was carried out with the support of gold sponsors WhitePress® UK and StudioHawk, silver sponsors Advanced Web Ranking, Majestic and Candour, as well as media and community partners such as GeoGenie, FandangoSEO, The Audience Club, Search London, Women in Tech SEO, Peaksense, LiftMCP, Don’t Panic, SERP Conf., Whitworth, Athens SEO, Global Cyber Security Network, SEOFOMO, What Matters Media and The Growth Collective.

What's next: smaller rooms, deeper conversations

For Search ’n Stuff, each conference is a chapter of an ongoing story. As the 2026 conference stages close, the community is shifting toward formats that prioritize depth over scale.

SnS Salon Search Retreat, Sintra, Portugal — 12–16 November 2026

In a private villa that will host no more than 16 people, participants will work side by side remotely, share meals prepared by a private chef, and each will offer a workshop or training session in a glass house used as a learning and collaboration space. The dates coincide with the Web Summit week held just nearby in Lisbon. This makes Sintra an easy additional stop for those already heading to Portugal.

London year‑end gatherings — November and December 2026

Search ’n Stuff and SEOFOMO will co‑host the London Holiday SEO Meetup on 24 November 2026. The event will bring together up to 50 people for a warm year‑end evening of networking, pleasant conversations, food and drinks.

Search ’n Stuff also hosts the Search ’n Stuff Christmas Dinner on 9 December 2026 at Kismet London. This more intimate dinner offers a chance to celebrate the year, reconnect with industry friends, and forge new connections over a fine table.

Search Cabaret, London — 2027 (date to be announced soon)

Search ’n Stuff’s flagship evening event will bring together about 100 professionals from SEO, PPC, artificial intelligence, content, digital PR and analytics for dinner at round tables, live panels, short stage talks, selected open‑mic contributions and cabaret performances. The night will conclude with the Search ’n Stuff Awards 2027.

SnS Salon Search Retreat, Cappadocia, Turkey — 26–30 May 2027

The second retreat will again be held at Sobek Stone House in Göreme, with no more than 16 guests.

Search ’n Stuff Plus

Among the events, the community stays connected on the new online community Search ’n Stuff Plus on Skool. Free Standard membership gives access to community discussions, curated content, and event announcements. Premium membership, on top of that, offers the entire archive of recordings, a monthly member networking meeting, early event access, speaking opportunities, and an ambassador program that supports members in arranging meetings under the Search ’n Stuff umbrella in their own cities.

City channels for London, Brighton, Dublin, Lisbon, Sintra, Rome, Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia and many more cities are already open.

"Search ’n Stuff has never been about creating the biggest event in the industry. It has always been about creating the right environment," says Yağmur Şimşek. "London, Antalya, Sintra, Cappadocia, and our Skool community are essentially different manifestations of the same environment in different places. People come back because they feel part of something; our job is to keep that feeling alive across the stages.",

About Search ’n Stuff

Search ’n Stuff, founded by SEO consultant and female entrepreneur Yağmur Şimşek, is an independent community and networking events platform for digital marketing and artificial intelligence professionals. What began with informal networking dinners has evolved into an international community that hosts conferences, retreats, workshops, meetups, and industry dinners in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Portugal, and beyond.

Search ’n Stuff brings together SEO, performance marketing, content, data, and artificial intelligence experts who value depth, collaboration, and long‑term growth. Its core principle is simple: “Community over everything,” meaning community comes first.

More information:searchnstuff.co.uk

Upcoming events: Sintra retreat · Cappadocia retreat · London Christmas Dinner

Press contact

Yağmur Şimşek, Founder, SEARCH AND STUFF LTDE-mail: [email protected]https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-n-stuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/searchnstuffYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@searchnstuffhttps://x.com/searchandstuffBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/searchnstuff.co.uk

searchnstuff.co.uk · [email protected]

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