The Funnel Collapse: How AI Search Turns Discovery Into Decision
Thursday, February 26 · 12:00–1:00 PM ET
Live on Zoom (recording available for all registrants)
Live data + Q&A
In this masterclass, I’ll break down why the traditional marketing funnel is collapsing in 2026 and how AI search is compressing “discovery” into a single decision moment. Buyers aren’t browsing ten pages anymore. They’re asking one system to recommend the best option, explain why, and move them forward.
If your strategy is still built around ranking, clicks, and “top-of-funnel traffic,” you’re optimizing for a behavior that’s disappearing. This session is the playbook for staying visible inside the decision layer: how AI engines evaluate options, which signals they trust, and what you need to change now to keep the pipeline flowing when the click is no longer guaranteed.
What we’ll cover
What “the funnel collapse” actually is and how it’s already showing up in B2B and B2C behavior
How AI search changes intent: from open-ended discovery to decision-first evaluation
The new conversion path: prompts → recommendations → shortlists → action (often without a click)
What gets a brand included in the shortlist and what gets you silently excluded
The difference between visibility and eligibility in generative answers
What AI engines are optimizing for (and why “rank” is becoming an incomplete metric)
The trust signals that replace classic funnel mechanics: corroboration, consistency, third-party proof, and entity strength
Which content formats influence decisions in 2026: comparisons, category maps, “best for” pages, validation assets, and proof-rich narratives
How to monitor competitors: who’s being recommended, how often, and for which use cases
How to instrument your marketing for the decision layer: what to track when clicks disappear
A practical 2026 action plan: the highest-leverage changes you can make in the next 30–60 days
Live data walkthroughs so you can see decision behavior in the real world, not in theory
Do I need to be a Pavilion member?
No. Everyone is welcome.
Why should I listen to you?
I built and sold a company powered by industry-leading SEO where roughly half of all pipeline came from organic.
Now I run Open Forge AI, a platform of AI agents that grow your AI brand visibility.
I see what’s happening across hundreds of companies and categories every single day.
Who is this for?
Founders. Marketers. CMOs.
Anyone who cares about the future of AI-driven discovery and wants to win when the buyer journey becomes a single decision moment.
Do I need to be technical?
No. This is built for builders and operators.
When and where?
Thursday, February 26 · 12:00–1:00 PM ET
Live on Zoom. You’ll receive a calendar invite and link after registering.
How long is it?
One hour. Fast, practical, and focused.
Will there be a recording?
Yes, recording available for all registrants.
Is it free?
Yes.
Will there be Q&A?
Yes. Bring your questions about your category, your current funnel, your visibility strategy, or what to do when AI becomes the interface between you and demand.