Topline E110: How CEO Michael Walrath is building Yext for a world beyond Google
32 snips
May 26, 2025 
Michael Walrath, Chairman and CEO of Yext, shares his extensive experience in internet businesses. He discusses the future beyond Google and how AI is transforming information interaction. Michael highlights the diminishing relevance of traditional SEO and the critical need for structured data to enhance brand visibility. He also reflects on managing a public company during market volatility, the significance of focusing on profitability, and the groundbreaking 'Scout' tool designed to empower local businesses with valuable insights.
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Google's Search Dominance Explained
- Google dominates search due to superior user experience and minimal monetization load.
- Competitors like Yahoo struggled because matching Google's quality and scaling ad revenue is economically unfeasible.
AI Transforms Search and Discovery
- AI search changes discovery by using personal data and context, offering faster, more personalized results.
- Businesses must ensure their digital content is structured and accessible to AI agents to stay discoverable.
Structured Data Powers AI Search
- AI models rely on a structured search index behind natural language interfaces.
- Google’s rankings depend heavily on data citations across the web for credibility and relevance.
