In this episode of Chat With Sean, I'm joined by Christian Goodrich, Head of Search Marketing and AI Search at SOZO, for an insightful conversation on the rapidly evolving world of SEO, AI-driven search, and the tools shaping the future of digital marketing. Christian shares his insights on the transformative shifts in the search landscape, from the growing influence of AI search models to the strategic changes brands must make to stay competitive in 2026.

We explore the latest trends, including the impact of AI overviews, agentic commerce, and how SEO and paid media teams must collaborate more than ever to deliver unified, data-driven strategies. Christian also discusses how brands can adapt to AI-driven platforms like Google and ChatGPT, and the crucial role of YouTube and other external citations in shaping brand visibility.

Topics covered include:

- The rise of AI search and agentic commerce in 2026

- How AI overviews are reshaping SEO and brand visibility

- The importance of SEO tools in AI-driven strategies

- The future of backlinks and content strategies

- The importance of YouTube and external citations in AI-driven search

- How SEO and paid media teams can collaborate for better results

- Predictions for the SEO industry and digital marketing landscape