Will AI-generated search results materially change local search this year?

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• Part 1AI-Powered Search: Disruptive Risk or Strategic Advantage?

  AI is reshaping search discoverability and business visibility. Mike Walrath, CEO of Yext, explains how Google's monetization model faces disruption from emerging AI search competitors. He details how businesses must structure data for machine consumption rather than humans, identifies opportunities in local search fragmentation, and demonstrates how granular competitive intelligence can pinpoint exactly where digital presence improvements are needed.

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  Part 2Will AI-generated search results materially change local search this year?

  AI is rapidly transforming local search results. Mike Walrath, CEO of Yext, explains how AI assistants now provide direct answers to local queries instead of deferring to search engines. He explores why businesses must adapt their strategies to become the answer within AI-generated results, emphasizing the accelerating pace of this fundamental shift in local search visibility.

• Part 3Optimize for Google’s AI Overviews vs focus on other search environments?

  In this episode, Mike Walrath of Yext tackles the strategic dilemma of optimizing for Google AI Overviews versus alternative search environments. He argues that optimizing for Google's AI search already leverages existing SEO practices, while diversifying to other platforms creates additional visibility opportunities. Walrath predicts established search players will continue gaining market share, highlighting how younger demographics' search behaviors are reshaping discovery patterns and reducing Google's dominance.

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• Part 4How will the relationship between ecommerce and search engines evolve over the next 12 months?

  In e-commerce search, AI is reshaping the shopping experience. Mike Walrath, CEO of Yext, predicts the emergence of single-click shopping experiences through AI search engines this holiday season. He explains how conversational AI will enable personalized product recommendations based on user preferences and price constraints, creating a more intelligent discovery process than traditional search results.

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• Part 5Is the concept of “zero-click search” going to evolve into traffic driving opportunities?

  Zero-click search presents both challenges and opportunities for SEO professionals. Mike Walrath from Yext explores how these seemingly traffic-less interactions might evolve into valuable engagement points. He examines the growing role of voice search in zero-click experiences and predicts how brands may still deliver content directly to users despite the changing search landscape.

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• Part 6How to maintain traffic when AI summaries answer user queries directly in search results

  AI summaries threaten organic traffic in search results. Mike Walrath, CEO of Yext, explains why brands should focus on maintaining awareness rather than traffic metrics. He advocates for making structured data widely available to AI systems, enabling direct customer connections without traditional website visits. Walrath suggests measuring success through conversions rather than traffic volume, as efficient customer acquisition without clicks can be more valuable.

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