If your content strategy still revolves around publishing endless "what is" and "how to" articles, it's time to update your strategy. Learn why taking a clear point of view, investing in original research, and building credibility beyond your own website are becoming key differentiators in the age of AI search.
In this episode, Sooraj Shah, Content Marketing Lead at Aikido Security, shares why thought leadership and PR are becoming more valuable than ever and how companies can create content that both audiences and AI trust.
Drawing on his background as a technology journalist, Sooraj explains why Aikido has shifted away from producing generic "what is" and "how to" articles in favor of opinion-driven content backed by evidence. Rather than publishing the same advice as their competitors, the team focuses on taking clear positions, sharing original perspectives, and supporting those viewpoints with research and real-world expertise.
The conversation also explores how AI search is changing content strategy. While SEO remains an important foundation, Sooraj believes brands need to think beyond rankings and create content that offers unique insights, original data, and credible perspectives that large language models are more likely to surface. He also shares why third-party media coverage, annual research reports, and strong relationships with industry publications play an increasingly important role in building authority.
Finally, Wendy and Sooraj discuss a challenge many marketers face today: measuring the impact of thought leadership. Unlike traditional SEO content, success isn't defined by rankings alone. Instead, marketers should look for signals such as media citations, industry engagement, social sharing, and whether their ideas are influencing conversations within their market.
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