The Next Evolution of AI, Search, and Advertising

The Next Evolution of AI, Search, and Advertising

From Decoding AI for Marketing by Greg Stuart, Rex Briggs

January 27, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 47

About this episode

Michael Walrath discusses how AI is transforming search and advertising, challenging traditional assumptions.

Michael Walrath, Chairman and CEO of Yext, says today’s AI is fundamentally rewriting the rules of search, discovery, and brand visibility. Drawing on his extensive ad tech experience at DoubleClick, Yahoo, Moat, and now Yext, Walrath explains why AI-powered search is so much more powerful than traditional search—and why many current assumptions about GEO, SEO, and advertising are headed for a fast reckoning. Expanding on our episode with Bill Gross, Walrath also argues that inserting ads into AI experiences is the wrong answer, clicks are disappearing, and the future of AI marketing will look more like structured data and affiliate-style value exchange than traditional advertising.

People in this episode

Hosts: Greg Stuart, Rex Briggs

Guest: Michael Walrath

Topics covered

  • AI
  • search
  • advertising
  • brand visibility
  • ad tech
  • SEO
  • GEO

Keywords

  • AI
  • search
  • advertising
  • brand visibility
  • ad tech
  • SEO
  • GEO

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Yext, DoubleClick, Yahoo, Moat

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