BrightonSEO 2026: How to Create a Realistic International SEO Forecast

How do you predict how much organic traffic you can expect when expanding into new international markets? And how do you ensure that your predictions align with reality, rather than relying solely on theoretical search volumes and click-through rates?

During BrightonSEO 2026, Niels Arts, co-founder of Clonable, shared a practical and data-driven approach to international SEO forecasts. In his presentation, he demonstrated how companies can use their existing organic performance to make more realistic predictions for new markets.

Did you miss the presentation, or would you like to dive deeper into the method? We’ve compiled the presentation and the full four-part blog series for you below.

Download the BrightonSEO presentation

During his presentation, Niels demonstrated how to look beyond traditional SEO predictions based on search volumes and theoretical click-through rates. By using existing performance data as a starting point, you can better assess the organic growth potential in new markets.

He also discussed various factors that influence international SEO results, such as performance in your home market, the degree of localization, local competition, and the time required to achieve results.

Read the full blog series on international SEO forecasts

In addition to his presentation, Niels wrote a four-part blog series in which he elaborates on the method. Each article covers a different aspect of creating a realistic international SEO forecast.

Part 1: Defining a Data-Driven Starting Point

Discover how to use your website’s existing organic performance to determine a realistic starting point for your international SEO forecast.

Read Part 1

Part 2: Adjusting Your Forecast Based on Effort and Localization

How much do translation quality, localization, content optimization, and SEO efforts influence your results? In this article, you’ll discover how to factor these elements into your predictions.

Read Part 2

Part 3: Taking the Time to Achieve Results into Account

International SEO doesn’t deliver results overnight. Discover how to account for gradual growth and set a realistic timeline for your forecast.

Read Part 3

Part 4: Further Refining Your International SEO Forecast

Bring the various components together and discover how to make a more realistic prediction by taking into account the circumstances and growth opportunities in a new market.

Read Part 4

From International SEO Forecast to International Growth

A realistic SEO forecast helps companies make better decisions about international expansion. By combining existing performance data with insights from new markets, you can better substantiate expectations and invest more strategically.

But a good prediction is just the beginning. To grow internationally, you also need a website that supports this expansion.

With Clonable , you can translate, localize, and manage multilingual websites from a single central platform. This makes international expansion much easier.