Ren Horst
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[WEBINAR] How Prospects Use AI to Research and Choose Programs in 2026
![[WEBINAR] How Prospects Use AI to Research and Choose Programs in 2026](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg== "2609-SI-AI Search Webinar Suite-MM-M-01")
TL;DR: Search Influence and UPCEA hosted a free webinar on November 3 to unpack how prospective students use AI tools to research and shortlist programs, with a hands-on AI Search Strategy Lab on November 5 for institutions seeking tailored recommendations. Key Insights Search Influence and UPCEA’s joint research shows that …
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The Chronicle of Higher Education Features Search Influence on AI Search
On November 2, in its Daily Briefing newsletter, The Chronicle of Higher Education interviewed Paula French of Search Influence and Bruce Etter, senior director of research and consulting at UPCEA, on how colleges can earn visibility in AI-generated answers. The interview ran under the heading “How to Win Prospects and …
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Search Influence Joins UPCEA MEMS 2026 With Two AI Search Visibility Sessions
Search Influence will attend the 35th annual UPCEA MEMS 2026 Conference in Orlando, Florida, from November 30 to December 2, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The team will present two sessions on AI search visibility and meet fellow higher education marketers at our booth. MEMS is the annual UPCEA event …
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[New Research] How Families Search for Senior Living in the Age of AI
Key Insights 43% of families start their senior living research with a search engine or an AI tool. 69% trust a site more when an AI answer cites it. 57% seriously consider only two or three senior living communities in their search. 44% rule out a community based on something …
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Search Influence Named to 2026 CityBusiness Best Places to Work List
Search Influence is an award-winning AI SEO marketing agency headquartered in New Orleans, founded in 2006. We’re proud to announce that we’ve been named a 2026 Best Places to Work honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness, a regional business publication that has run the recognition program for 24 years. This marks …
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Search Influence Heads to AMA 2026 With Harvard Law Co-Presenter, Tara Pope
Search Influence’s Paula French is heading back to the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education this November, this time with a Harvard Law School co-presenter and a workshop built around a single question: what happens after your institution shows up in AI search? French, director of sales and …
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[New Research] How Prospects Search in 2026 and What It Means for 2027
Key Insights AI search use is up 15% year over year. 39% of prospects now use AI-powered tools daily, up from 24% in 2025. Search engines still lead, but the gap is closing. 80% use traditional search engines to research programs; 54% now also use AI. Citations build real trust. …
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Search Influence Named a 2026 CityBusiness In the Lead Honoree
For the second year running, Search Influence has earned a spot on New Orleans CityBusiness’ In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses list, a recognition that puts us alongside a competitive field of women-led companies shaping the region’s economy. The honor comes as we continue to grow our national client base …
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[UPDATED] SEO & AI Search Workbook for Higher Education: A Free Interactive Resource
Search Influence offers a free SEO & AI Search Workbook for Higher Education Websites, now rebuilt to cover AI visibility alongside traditional SEO. Ask ChatGPT to recommend a program in your field, and there’s a real chance your institution never comes up, even if it ranks first on Google for …
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Paula French Talks AI Search Branding on The Near Memo Podcast
Brand used to be the thing you built after you nailed the fundamentals. Now it might be the thing that decides whether an AI system knows you exist at all. Search Influence Director of Sales and Marketing Paula French joined a panel of local search practitioners on Episode 269 of …
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![[WEBINAR] How Prospects Use AI to Research and Choose Programs in 2026](https://www.searchinfluence.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2609-SI-AI-Search-Webinar-Suite-MM-M-01-125x125.png "2609-SI-AI Search Webinar Suite-MM-M-01")
![[New Research] How Families Search for Senior Living in the Age of AI](https://www.searchinfluence.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Thumbnail-How-Families-Search-for-Senior-Living-in-the-Age-of-AI-125x125.png "Thumbnail - How Families Search for Senior Living in the Age of AI")
