The Geographic Era of Search

Search is going hyperlocal — and the map is the new homepage.

From AI overviews to "near me" queries answered before you finish typing, geography now shapes ranking as much as keywords do. Here's how to build visibility in a search landscape driven by location, intent, and real-time data.

72%
of mobile searches have local intent
4.6x
growth in map-pack click-throughs
38%
of queries now answered by AI overviews
Big Idea

Why GEO Is the New SEO: Answer Engines Are Rewriting the Rules of Visibility

As AI-generated answers and map interfaces absorb more of the click, ranking #1 on a results page matters less than being the trusted, geographically-relevant source an engine chooses to cite. We unpack the shift from keyword optimization to geographic and entity optimization — and what it means for your content strategy this year.

Portrait of Maren Osei, senior search strategist
Maren Osei
Senior Search Strategist · 9 min read
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