At Siinda's AI, Search and Digital Marketing Conference 2025, Christian J. Ward, Chief Data Officer at Yext, delivered a fast-moving and provocative keynote on the accelerating fragmentation of search, the rise of always-on AI, and the shifting role of websites from destinations to data sources.
As AI models become smarter, more persistent, and integrated across platforms, search is no longer a box on a screen but a continuous, personalized conversation. From the disruption of Google's ad model to the rise of agentic AI and hyper-local optimization, Christian offers clear insights and actionable frameworks to help partners thrive in this new landscape.
Key Learnings
Search Is Expanding, Not Shrinking: AI transforms search into a 24/7, conversational experience—one that will permeate every moment of consumers' lives.
Your Website Is a Data Source: Success now depends on how well your digital content powers AI models through structured, real-time, citation-worthy data.
Local Optimization Must Be Competitive-Contextual: Generic SEO strategies are out. Competitive analysis down to the zip code level is the new frontier, and Yext Scout is leading the charge.
📺 Watch the keynote now to uncover the strategies and tools your business needs to help your clients stay ahead in the age of AI.
