Are You In? with ChicagoJon & Crys D.

Most people are thinking about search completely wrong.

In this episode of Talk Data To Me, we break down how people actually search in 2026 — and why traditional SEO thinking is no longer enough.

What we really get into:

How people actually search

• Why people don’t search for names — they search for outcomes
• The importance of suggested search terms and trending queries
• Why the words YOU use aren’t the words your audience uses
• 
  

Platform behavior matters

• Reddit vs Facebook vs TikTok vs YouTube
• How different demographics search differently
• Why you need to understand where your audience actually looks

AI + Search (what’s changing)

• How AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming search engines
• Why businesses are now being surfaced inside AI results
• The future of discovery beyond Google

SEO vs real-world behavior

• Why perfect SEO doesn’t matter if it doesn’t match real language
• How to align your content with what people are already searching
• Why branding + search strategy are starting to merge

KEY TAKEAWAY

If you want to be found…

Stop thinking like a creator start thinking like a searcher.

QUESTION : What do YOU search first?

-TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Google, AI?

Drop it in the comments!

In this episode we talk about the danger of becoming a “trend zombie.” Too many creators chase every viral sound, topic, or format without asking if it actually serves their audience. Just because something is trending doesn’t mean it belongs on your page. We break down how to recognize trends that fit your niche, avoid content that confuses your audience, and stay intentional with what you post.