Sponsored Content by Location3.

Between August and October 2025, Google’s evolution of AI Mode, enhanced by Gemini 2.5, and the rollout of AI Max for Search accelerated a fundamental shift in how people discover, evaluate, and act on information. The search results page has become an interactive destination, not just a pathway to websites. Simultaneously, more than 60% of all searches now end without a click, ushering in the “zero-click era.”

Drawing on more than two decades of experience helping enterprise and franchise brands navigate every major digital inflection point, our Location3 team published an extensive white paper on the fast-moving changes in search marketing in July 2025. This latest white paper is intended to further assist multi-unit brands in continuing to build an enhanced framework for thriving in the AI-driven, “zero-click” era, where context replaces keywords, visibility begins inside AI answers, and local data integrity determines whether your brand is found, trusted, and chosen.

Location3 is franchising’s proven leader in driving digital transformation. We are a catalyst for revenue growth, offering strategic consulting and professional services specifically tailored to franchisors. Our expertise in data-driven marketing, technology infrastructure and digital media empowers our partners to thrive in the digital landscape. In addition, our platform (LOCALACT) provides your franchise owners with powerful technology that optimizes their local digital presence and media mix to drive customer acquisition and local revenue growth.