Hey there, I just wrapped up an incredible podcast conversation with Jen Dalton – Dance Business Coach, about the three marketing shifts that are about to separate thriving dance studios from struggling ones in 2026. Check it out here: The Dance Studio Scaled Podcast Here's some of what we uncovered: Google's new AI mode has already launched in over 180 English speaking countries and is due to land in Australia this October, and it's changing everything. Traditional SEO strategies won't cut it anymore. The dance studios that optimise for AI search now will dominate their local markets. The ones that don't will become invisible. Remember when marketing was simple? Parent sees ad → visits website → books trial → enrolls. Those days are gone. Today's parents are researching on Instagram, asking questions in Facebook groups, checking Google reviews, watching TikTok videos, and THEN maybe clicking your ad. It's messy, non-linear, and requires a completely integrated approach. Studios using organic social strategically are seeing their paid ad performance improve by 40-60% because they're building trust before asking for the sale. The dance studios that understand these shifts and act on them now will have an unfair advantage heading into 2026. The ones that keep doing what they've always done will wonder why their marketing stopped working. Here's what I've learned after working with hundreds of dance studios: the biggest opportunities always come disguised as challenges that most people are too overwhelmed to tackle.