Higher Education Marketing Education and News
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UPCEA MEMS 2025 Recap: 11 Higher Ed Marketing Presentations That Show Where We’re Heading
This review was created with AI assistance and human guidance from Will Scott, AI SEO Expert and CEO of Search Influence. TL;DR: The UPCEA MEMS 2025 conference made one thing clear: AI isn’t coming to higher education marketing. It’s here. And institutions that aren’t actively optimizing for AI search, building …
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Search Influence Named a Finalist for Best SEO Campaign at the 2025 US Agency Awards
We’re excited to share that Search Influence has been named a Finalist in the Best SEO Campaign category at the 2025 US Agency Awards for our AI-driven campaign, The Art of AI SEO, created in partnership with Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D). This recognition marks our second consecutive …
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Higher Education AI Search Strategy: What Students Expect vs. How Institutions Must Adapt
Key Insights Students have shifted how they search. Prospective learners now use AI tools alongside traditional search, making structured, consistent program information essential for visibility. Institutional readiness lags student behavior. Many colleges recognize the influence of AI search but still lack the systems and processes to monitor and improve their …
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Search Influence to Share AI Search Strategies for Higher Education at MEMS 2025
As AI continues to redefine how students search for and engage with academic programs, marketers are rethinking how they track, measure, and optimize online visibility. This December, Search Influence will share actionable AI search strategies for higher education at the 2025 UPCEA Marketing, Enrollment Management, and Student Success (MEMS) Conference, …
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UPCEA Guest Blog: Paula French on AI Search Trends in Higher Education
When prospective students begin researching programs, their first stop may no longer be your website…. or even Google. Many now use generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity to ask questions, compare options, and find fast answers. These tools influence what students see, what they trust, and which institutions …
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Search Influence to Present on AI Search in Higher Education at AMA Symposium 2025
AI-driven discovery is rewriting the rules of visibility for universities. As prospective students increasingly rely on tools like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity, the traditional SEO playbook is no longer enough. The next era of visibility requires a strategy built for recognition and trust within AI ecosystems, not just …
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Higher Education SEO Checklist for Nontraditional Programs
Key Insights Nontraditional programs are driving enrollment growth. These offerings now provide working adults and lifelong learners with accessible routes to advance their skills and careers. Your real competition isn’t just other universities. Private bootcamps, online platforms, and credentialing providers are dominating search results and targeting the same students you …
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New From Search Influence – AI Search in Higher Education: How Prospects Search in 2025
Artificial intelligence isn’t on the horizon for higher ed — it’s here. Half of prospective students already use AI tools weekly to search for information in the same way they use Google. To help institutions adapt, the Online and Professional Education Association (UPCEA), in partnership with Search Influence, has released …
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Higher Education Advertising Strategies for Centralized vs. Decentralized Teams
Key Insights Team structure drives advertising performance. A centralized marketing team delivers efficiency and consistency, while decentralized teams excel in agility and program-level targeting. Most universities operate in hybrid models. Few are purely centralized or decentralized. Hub-and-spoke and collaborative networks are common, and each impacts paid advertising differently. Aligning strategy …
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Higher Education Marketing Strategies: Align SEO & Paid Ads for Smarter Results
Key Insights The modern student journey is multi-channel: Your marketing efforts must span search engines, social platforms, and AI tools. SEO builds long-term visibility: SEO is a key strategy for sustaining awareness and reducing overall acquisition costs over time. Digital ads deliver speed and precision: Paid ad placements boost visibility …
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