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Industry Insights
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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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Instagram SEO Playbook: How to Win Over Google and AI Search
This post was updated by Rebecca Michelet on 12/15/25 to reflect current best practices. It was originally published on 11/13/25. Key Insights Instagram is now part of the search landscape. Google’s indexing update means public Instagram content can appear alongside websites, articles, and videos, expanding what visibility means for every …
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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 x UPCEA] Unpacking New Research on AI Search in Higher Education
This blog post was updated by Ren Horst on November 4, 2025 following the webinar event. 50% of prospective students use AI tools at least weekly to research information online. 79% read Google’s AI Overviews, and more than half say they’re more likely to trust the institutions AI cites. These …
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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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AI SEO Expert Will Scott Shares Insights at Leading European Conferences
Search Influence continues to advance the conversation around AI SEO on a global scale. This fall, CEO and Co-Founder Will Scott represented the agency at two of Europe’s most respected industry events, SEOktoberfest G50 Summit in Austria and SMX Advanced Europe in Berlin, sharing insights on how artificial intelligence is …
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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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Will Scott to Lead Generative Engine Optimization Master Class on October 7
Search is no longer limited to ten blue organic links. Today, platforms like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity generate direct answers that change how people discover information. If your content isn’t optimized for these generative engines, you risk being left out of the results entirely. On October 7, 2025 …
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