Search Ranking in a Post-Google World: AI Optimization with Michael Buckbee

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, Mike Montague sits down with Michael Buckbee, founder of Knowatoa, to explore how the rise of AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity is reshaping the rules of discoverability. Michael challenges the idea that SEO is dead and instead reframes it as evolving—fast. The two dig into the shift from keyword rankings to AI-generated answers, the new role of content in driving buying decisions, and how companies can start showing up in AI tools that are replacing traditional search behavior.Whether you're a CMO looking for the next lead gen edge or a marketer trying to future-proof your content strategy, this episode offers a clear, human-first roadmap. You'll learn why the most important answers about your brand shouldn't be hidden behind forms, how to publish content AI can actually read and recommend, and why challenger brands have more opportunity than ever to outsmart big players. If your search strategy still begins and ends with Google, it’s time for an upgrade.Chapter01:15 – What Knowatoa Does and the AI Search Landscape  02:45 – Is SEO Dead or Just Changing?  05:30 – How Google’s AI Overviews Are Reshaping Search  07:20 – Why Traditional Content No Longer Wins in AI  09:00 – The Buyer Journey Is Still Happening—Just in AI  11:30 – How Challenger Brands Can Beat Big Companies in AI  13:15 – What to Publish: Comparison Guides, FAQs, & More  15:00 – SEO for ChatGPT: What the LLMs Are Looking For  17:00 – Why Blocking Bots Could Be Costing You Visibility  18:45 – The Biscuits Framework & Ranking in AI Search  21:30 – This Is the Cheapest AI Will Ever Be  24:00 – Action Steps for B2B Marketers  26:00 – Outro & Where to Learn MoreThe Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.