In the latest episode of the Education Marketing Leader Podcast, I sat down with Granit Doshlaku, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Manaferra.

We discussed how AI-powered search transforms SEO and what it means for higher-ed marketers.

Granit shared actionable insights to help you stay ahead in this rapidly evolving space.

Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

1️⃣ Expect Quality Over Quantity

AI-driven search is reshaping traffic patterns. While you may see fewer visitors overall, those who land on your site will have stronger intent. This shift makes it even more critical to optimize for conversions rather than chasing keywords and traffic volume.

2️⃣ Voice Search is Coming

With advancements in AI, voice search is finally becoming practical. Students will ask conversational queries like, “What’s the best cybersecurity degree program?” Ensure your content is optimized to answer these questions clearly and concisely.

3️⃣ Authority Still Matters

Backlinks remain crucial—even in AI search. Granit emphasized that building meaningful, relevant links can make a significant impact on your rankings. Focus on earning mentions from trusted sources in your niche to stand out.

As search diversifies with tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, creating helpful, people-first content remains the cornerstone of a successful strategy.

👉 Don’t miss this episode!

Follow the Education Marketing Leader Podcast for more insights, and connect with Granit Doshlaku and me here on LinkedIn. Let us know your thoughts!

#HigherEdMarketing #SEO #AI #VoiceSearch #DigitalMarketing