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119
June 1, 2026
Episode 119: Google Search is AI Search: What May's I/O Announcement Means for Higher Ed

Google Search is AI Search: What May's I/O Announcement Means for Higher Ed

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About the Episode

About the Episode:

A New Era for AI Search (Google)

Katy’s LinkedIn Post

On this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea sits down with Katy Campbell, newly named CEO of VisionPoint Marketing, for an urgent conversation about the future of search in higher education. Following Google’s announcement that AI-powered search is now the default experience for more than a billion users, Katy breaks down what this shift means for enrollment marketers, institutional websites, and the way prospective students discover colleges. Together, Mallory and Katy unpack why traditional SEO strategies are no longer enough, how AI agents are changing the student search journey, and why higher ed institutions need to rethink visibility in a world where students may never even visit a college homepage.

The conversation explores the rise of AI search, generative engine optimization (GEO), and what it really means for content to be “AI SEO ready.” Katy shares practical insights into how institutions can audit their current digital presence, improve program page strategy, and structure content so AI systems can retrieve and surface it accurately. They also discuss why institutional websites are evolving from destination hubs into “source-of-truth” ecosystems that power AI-driven discovery across the web. Throughout the episode, Mallory and Katy challenge higher ed leaders to stop optimizing for clicks and start optimizing for outcomes, trust, and relevance in an AI-first internet.

Connect With Our Host:

Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

People in this episode

Host

Mallory Willsea is a strategist and consultant working at the intersection of higher education.

Interviewee

Katy Campbell

Katy is the CEO of VisionPoint Marketing.

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