Path hub · Senior-Leader
Learning Path: Lead AI Search Strategy
Lead AI Search Strategy is a learning path for senior marketers who own GEO strategy: building the business case and budget, designing the team or agency model, setting KPIs and reporting to the board. It takes about 15 hours (estimate) across two courses and ends with a board-ready strategy deck. It's built for decisions, not tactics.
What you'll be able to do
- Build a GEO business case and a phased budget
- Design an in-house, hybrid or agency team model
- Set a KPI tree that links visibility to revenue
- Report to the board with honest ranges
- Package and price GEO services (agencies and freelancers)
Who is this path for?
Heads of SEO, content and growth, CMOs, agency owners and freelancers. Prerequisites: the GEO Practitioner badge, or three or more years leading SEO, content or growth. Placement option: submit a past report or plan instead of the Practitioner badge.
Which courses are in the path?
| # | Course | Lessons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leading AI Search Strategy | Why GEO is a leadership issue; building the business case; budgeting; team structure and hiring; KPIs and the KPI tree; reporting to the board; managing agencies and vendors; 12-month roadmap; governance, ethics and legal review |
| 2 | GEO for Agencies | Packaging GEO services, pricing, proposals, delivery and client reporting |
Recommended guides: crisis communications, the EU AI Act, regulated industries and stakeholder management.
What's the capstone?
The Lead AI Search Strategy capstone is a board-ready GEO strategy deck for a real or sample company, built with the MentionX Boardroom Deck export. It includes a business case, budget, 12-month roadmap and KPI tree, and is scored against a published rubric.
How do you earn the certificate?
| Requirement | Pass mark |
|---|---|
| Per-course 10-question quiz | 80% or higher |
| Capstone, scored on the published rubric | 70% or higher |
Passing earns MentionX Certified: AI Search Strategy Lead, with a shareable certificate URL and a LinkedIn certification entry.
Why does this path emphasise honesty about uncertainty?
AI search is new, measurement is noisy and few benchmarks exist. Leaders who promise guaranteed outcomes lose credibility quickly. Throughout the path, you'll practise labelling assumptions, presenting ranges and asking for staged commitments, which are the habits that keep GEO programmes funded.
How should you plan your time?
Suggested pace (estimate): two to three lessons a week. The capstone usually takes a focused day or two, more if you're using real company data and need stakeholder input.
Where do you start?
Begin with Lesson 1: Why GEO is a leadership issue. If you're new to GEO metrics, read AI visibility KPIs for marketing teams first.
Questions
Who is this path for?
Heads of SEO, content and growth, CMOs, agency owners and senior freelancers.
What are the prerequisites?
The GEO Practitioner badge, or three or more years leading SEO, content or growth. You can submit a past report or plan instead.
How long does it take?
About 15 hours, as an estimate.