As of early 2026, AI-powered search engines like those now features within Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot, don’t directly prioritise website age as a ranking factor. Instead, they focus on a website’s *authority*, which is built through consistent, high-quality content, strong backlinks from reputable Australian sources, and positive user experience signals.
- E-E-A-T Enhancement: Current systems include a stronger emphasis on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). AI assesses these factors across your entire online presence.
- Content Freshness Signals: While age isn’t key, regularly updated content is. AI algorithms now favour sites demonstrating ongoing relevance and providing current information.
- Backlink Profile Analysis: AI evaluates the quality and relevance of websites linking to yours, giving more weight to links from established Australian businesses and .au domains.
In 2026, Australian businesses need to be particularly mindful of the Australian Consumer Law and ensuring their content is accurate and doesn’t mislead consumers. AI is increasingly adept at identifying and penalising sites with questionable practices. Furthermore, optimising for voice search – increasingly popular with Australian mobile users – requires a focus on long-tail keywords and conversational content.
Instead of navigating these complex technical requirements yourself, let ROI.com.au handle the intricacies of AI-optimised search. Contact our team today and we can take care of all this for you.