Marie Haynes: Google Is Becoming an AI Agent (What That Means for SEO)

Marie Haynes is one of the most respected voices in SEO, Google algorithms, and AI search—and in this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, she breaks down how search is fundamentally changing.

Google is no longer just ranking pages. It’s learning from users, predicting satisfaction, and increasingly acting as an AI agent that chooses outcomes on behalf of searchers. Marie explains what’s really driving rankings today, why many websites were hit by recent Google updates, and how concepts like EEAT, user signals, NavBoost, and Helpful Content have been absorbed directly into Google’s core systems.

We dive deep into how Google uses AI and machine learning to evaluate trust, authority, and real-world usefulness—and why traditional SEO tactics like links and keyword optimization alone are no longer enough. Marie also shares rare insights from her conversations with Google, her experience studying algorithm updates for over a decade, and what businesses must do to stay visible as search shifts toward AI Mode, agents, and task-based results.

This episode is essential for SEO professionals, local business owners, marketers, and founders who want to understand where search is headed in 2025, 2026, and beyond—and how to adapt before competitors do.

Topics covered:

- How Google rankings really work in the AI era

- EEAT explained: experience, expertise, authority, and trust

- User signals, NavBoost, and satisfaction-based ranking

- Why many sites lost traffic after recent Google updates

- AI Mode, search agents, and the future of search

- What local businesses must do to win as Google “chooses for you”

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If you care about the future of SEO, AI search, and Google rankings, this conversation will change how you think about visibility online.

Marie Haynes, Founder of Marie Haynes Consulting:

Twitter: https://x.com/Marie_Haynes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-haynes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Marie_Haynes

Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt

Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com

Pest Control SEO: https://pestcontrolseo.com/

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Podcast Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Marie Haynes

04:16 The Evolution of SEO and AI

07:01 Understanding Google's Algorithm Updates

10:17 The Importance of User Signals in SEO

13:03 Navigating the Quality Rater Guidelines

16:09 Exploring EEAT and Its Significance

19:06 Building Authority and Trustworthiness

21:55 Local Business Strategies for EEAT

24:57 The Future of SEO in an AI-Driven World

42:13 Creating Unique Content for SEO Success

46:14 The Impact of AI on SEO and User Intent

53:54 The Future of AI Agents in Business

01:01:45 Navigating the Evolution of Search Engines

01:16:05 Embracing Change and Finding Joy in Technology

01:19:42 Like and Subscribe!

#SEO #AISearch #GoogleSearch #EEAT #AIAgents