If you’re still optimizing for traditional SEO, this one might sting. But if you’re ready to win the AI search wars, welcome to your new bible.

Michael Walrath (CEO of Yext) is not sugarcoating our new AI-dominated environment that has transformed the market. He breaks down exactly how search is being torn apart by AI, why local SEO is being rewritten in real-time, and what it actually means to structure your content for machines — not humans. Stephanie and Mike go head-to-head on search nostalgia (Google geeks, look away) and unpack the playbook for brand visibility in a world that’s splintering fast.

Watch the full episode now and tell your SEO team: it’s time to evolve or get left behind.

Key Moments:

00:00: Why Google Traffic Is Down and What It Means for Marketers
07:07: Yext’s Origin Story: From Call Routing to Search Visibility
12:39: Navigating the New Era of Search
15:59: The Importance of Structured Data
26:02: Challenges in Managing Reputation Across Multiple Locations
27:53: Disruption in the B2B Software Market
33:58 Big Bets and Innovations at Yext
40:14 Fun and Insightful Lightening Round Questions

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SMR#316: Animals in bed, No kissing, Accepting compliments