S3 EP42: Winning in Ecommerce SEO in 2026 + Beyond with Jeff Oxford from 180 Marketing

"The search engine results pages have changed quite a bit, which means click-through rates are all over the place depending on the type of keyword you're going after." — Jeff Oxford

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, host Pat Ahern speaks with Jeff Oxford, Founder and CEO of 180 Marketing, to analyze the shifting landscape of e-commerce SEO in 2026 and beyond. Jeff breaks down how search engine results pages (SERPs) have transformed from traditional blue links to fragmented environments dominated by AI Overviews, organic and paid shopping grids, Reddit discussions, and third-party listicles. Rather than seeing search volume decline, Jeff highlights how consumer buying behavior has dispersed across multiple secondary platforms, requiring brands to broaden their search strategy beyond just ranking on Google.

The conversation dives deep into actionable strategies for secondary search visibility, including Reddit outreach, editorial listicle placements, and Google Shopping optimization. Jeff explains the recent moderation shifts on Reddit and shares a white-hat approach to partnering with active subreddit power users. He details how brands can pitch editorial teams at major publications by leveraging affiliate networks (like Awin or Impact) and providing pre-formatted pro/con lists to eliminate publishing friction. Additionally, Jeff reveals internal data showing click-through rates for number-one organic positions averaging around 3.3% for commercial terms, emphasizing the necessity of optimizing Google Merchant Center feeds and product reviews to capture prime shopping grid real estate.

Want to explore 180 Marketing's research or test your store's AI search footprint? Try the 180 Marketing Free AI Visibility Checker or visit 180marketing.com to explore their full library of e-commerce SEO studies. You can also connect with Jeff Oxford directly on LinkedIn.

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