Yext Launches Groundbreaking Research Initiative to Revolutionize SEO and Marketing Strategy
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, marketers and SEO professionals face an increasingly complex challenge: understanding how brands are discovered and trusted across multiple platforms. From AI-generated answers and local listings to reviews, social media, and third-party sites, the ways consumers interact with brands have fundamentally changed. However, the systems driving these interactions often lack transparency, leaving marketers without standardized tools to track performance, clear benchmarks for success, or consistent guidance on emerging trends. To address this gap, Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT), the leading brand visibility platform, has announced the launch of Yext Research, a transformative initiative designed to empower marketers and SEO leaders with actionable insights into the future of search and marketing strategy.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Modern Search
Today’s search ecosystem is more fragmented than ever. Consumers discover brands through a myriad of channels, including voice assistants, AI-powered answers, review sites, and local listings. Yet, the mechanisms behind these discoveries remain opaque, and marketers often find themselves navigating uncharted territory with limited data and incomplete information. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the need for reliable signals and actionable intelligence has never been greater.
Yext Research was created to close this critical gap. Powered by advanced modeling techniques and a continuously refreshed dataset of over 2 billion data points, the program provides unprecedented visibility into how digital brand discovery is shifting. By analyzing trends and benchmarks across industries, Yext Research equips marketers and SEO professionals with the context they need to make informed decisions. The initiative will regularly publish insights that clarify what is changing, why it matters, and where brands should focus their efforts next.
“Too often, marketers are asked to deliver results without a clear view of the broader picture,” said Christian Ward, Chief Data Officer at Yext. “With Yext Research, we’re sharing the real signals that shape visibility. This is about giving marketers and SEO leaders the context they’ve been missing — to see what’s shifting, measure what matters, and make smarter, faster decisions.”
A Collaborative Approach to Unlocking Insights
To further amplify its impact, Yext is introducing Yext Research Partners, a collaborative model that invites select experts, strategists, and creators to leverage Yext’s vast dataset and produce independent research. These partners will gain access to Yext’s data science and engineering teams, enabling them to explore pressing questions facing the marketing and SEO communities. By combining Yext’s robust data with the expertise of industry thought leaders, the program aims to drive deeper understanding and innovation across the field.
Among the first to join Yext Research Partners is Andrew Shotland, founder and CEO of Local SEO Guide and one of the most respected voices in the SEO community. Shotland’s involvement underscores the program’s potential to elevate industry standards and foster collaboration.
“Yext is doing something very cool here,” said Shotland. “They’re unlocking access to data that many in the industry have never seen before and putting it into the hands of SEOs who’ve spent years peeling back the layers of the algorithmic onion to better understand and share how search really works. I believe this kind of collaboration has the potential to raise the bar for the entire industry.”
Building on a Foundation of Innovation
Yext Research is the latest milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to helping brands navigate the complexities of modern search and consumer engagement. Earlier this year, Yext expanded its capabilities by acquiring Places Scout, a leader in location-based search and competitive intelligence. This acquisition paved the way for the launch of Yext Scout, an AI-powered agent that provides real-time insights and prioritized recommendations to help brands stay ahead of the competition.
Together, these initiatives reflect Yext’s broader mission to empower brands to connect with customers wherever discovery and engagement occur. By combining cutting-edge technology with actionable intelligence, Yext is redefining how businesses approach visibility and marketing strategy in the digital age.
Empowering Marketers to Drive Results
The insights provided by Yext Research are not just theoretical—they are designed to drive tangible results. By offering a clearer picture of how individual industries are performing in search and identifying the trends influencing that performance, the program helps marketers allocate resources more effectively and prioritize high-impact strategies. For example:
- Industry Benchmarks: Marketers can compare their brand’s performance against competitors and identify areas for improvement.
- Emerging Trends: Stay ahead of shifts in consumer behavior and algorithm updates to adapt strategies proactively.
- Actionable Recommendations: Receive specific guidance on where to focus efforts to maximize visibility and engagement.
Shaping the Future of Brand Visibility
As the lines between search, social media, and other discovery channels continue to blur, brands must adapt quickly to remain competitive. Yext Research provides the tools and insights necessary to thrive in this dynamic environment. By demystifying the forces shaping modern search and offering unparalleled access to real-world data, Yext is empowering marketers and SEO professionals to make smarter, faster, and more informed decisions.
For more information about Yext Research and how it can help your organization stay ahead in the new era of search, visit www.yext.com.
About Yext
Yext (NYSE: YEXT) is the leading brand visibility platform, built for a world where discovery and engagement happen everywhere — across AI search, traditional search, social media, websites, and direct communications. Powered by over 2 billion trusted data points and a suite of integrated products, Yext provides brands the clarity, control, and confidence to perform across digital channels. From real-time insights to AI-driven recommendations and execution at scale, Yext turns a brand’s digital presence into a competitive advantage. Thousands of leading brands rely on Yext to stay visible, stay ahead, and grow. To learn more about Yext, visit Yext.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
