Search Without Queries: What Copilot, IndexNow, and AI Agents Really Mean for the Future of SEO | Ep. 18

Performance SEO Unpacked is back with a big conversation about the new frontier of SEO—where queries disappear, and AI anticipation takes the lead. Host Ruchi Pardal sits down with Krishna Madhavan, Principal Product Manager of the Web Data Platform at Microsoft AI, to decode what “search without queries” really means.

In this episode, Krishna breaks down how AI systems like Copilot are shifting from "search and find" to "understand and assist," challenging the foundation of traditional SEO. From IndexNow protocol to semantic clarity, citations over clicks, and the compression of the funnel, this is a roadmap for SEOs navigating AI-powered search. If you're still optimizing for blue links and keyword density, this episode is your wake-up call.

👤 Guest Bio

• Krishna Madhavan is Principal Product Manager for the Web Data Platform at Microsoft AI, where he works on search technologies like Copilot and IndexNow. With deep insight into AI agents and content discovery systems, Krishna shares what it takes to stay relevant in an anticipatory, query-less search landscape.

📌 What We Cover

• Why "search without queries" is disrupting everything SEO has historically relied on
• How Copilot anticipates needs before users even ask—shifting SEO from clicks to citations
• The importance of semantic structure, authority, and freshness over traditional relevance
• Why content clarity and knowledge density are the new SEO signals for AI systems
• How IndexNow helps site owners proactively control content discoverability and reduce crawl waste
• The shift from optimizing for position to optimizing for precision and trust
• What SEO teams must now consider: machine readability, structured data, and intent-aligned content
• Why memory and personalization make it harder to predict rankings—but easier to win in contextual moments
• The new content strategy: modular, multi-intent, and AI-friendly assets that serve across funnel stages
• Practical steps for SEOs to future-proof their visibility in Copilot and other AI search systems

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• IndexNow
• Microsoft Copilot
• Resources:
• ResultFirst: Visit for more SEO tips and strategies. resultfirst.com
• Connect with Ruchi Pardal on LinkedIn for a conversation about SEO.

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