Is SEO getting harder in 2026?

I've been getting more interested in SEO lately, and i thought the game has changed quite a bit 🤔

Between AI overviews, Reddit or forums showing up moree than Google. Increasingly competitive search engine result page. And Google seemingly reward different types of content that it used to.

Im thinking, is traditional SEO become less active or are we just adapting to a new version of it?

for people who have been doing SEO, what worked really well for you from 3 to 5 years ago that doesn't work anymore? And also Are backlinks is still important as they used to be? Curious to hear what everyone seeing in 2026 🤔