SOCi, Inc. vs Yext

SOCi September '26 Release Notes

SOCi has published its September 2026 release notes, detailing the latest product updates and enhancements. The blog also lists recent release notes for Summer, August, July, and June 2026, along with a G2 ranking announcement.

Growing Restaurant Chains Outperform in Local Search and AI Visibility

SOCi's analysis of the Local Visibility Index (LVI) reveals that expanding restaurant chains significantly outperform contracting ones in digital local visibility. Growing brands averaged an LVI score of 61.4 versus 46.6 for shrinking chains, with the largest gap in AI recommendations: expanding chains are cited by ChatGPT in about 20% of queries versus roughly 3% for contracting ones. They also lead in Google 3-Pack appearances (35.3% vs. 14.4%), Yelp top rankings, review response rates, and local social engagement (3.45% vs. 0.13%). The study suggests these digital fundamentals correlate with real estate expansion decisions and serve as early signals for marketers. The article highlights the importance of data accuracy, systematic review responses, localized content, and tracking AI visibility as key levers for multi-location brands.

• Growing restaurant chains average an LVI score of 61.4, while shrinking chains average 46.6.
• Expanding chains are recommended by ChatGPT in about 20% of tested queries, compared to 3% for contracting chains.
• Expanding chains appear in Google's 3-Pack for 35.3% of tracked searches, versus 14.4% for contracting chains.

SOCi Summer '26 Release Notes

SOCi has published its Summer '26 Release Notes, detailing the latest product updates and enhancements.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Yext (2026-09-01)

Yext, Inc. reported its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended July 31, 2026. For Q2 fiscal 2027, total revenue decreased 2% year-over-year to $111.1 million, driven by customer attrition despite contributions from acquired businesses. GAAP net income fell to $13.1 million ($0.13 per share) compared to $26.8 million ($0.22 per share) in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to prior-year favorable fair value adjustments on Hearsay contingent consideration. On a non-GAAP basis, net income rose to $21.2 million from $16.3 million, and Adjusted EBITDA expanded to $34.0 million from $26.4 million, benefiting from ongoing operational discipline and headcount reductions. During the first half of the fiscal year, Yext returned significant capital to shareholders via a $140.0 million self-tender offer and ongoing share repurchases, financed in part by a $50.0 million delayed draw term loan.

• Total revenue for Q2 FY2027 was $111.1 million (down 2% YoY), with GAAP net income at $13.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA reaching $34.0 million.
• Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) as of July 31, 2026, stood at $440.8 million, down 1% YoY, with enterprise customers ($50k+ ARR) growing 2% to $405.9 million.
• Completed a $140.0 million modified Dutch auction tender offer repurchasing 24.35 million common shares at $5.75 per share, partially funded by a $50.0 million term loan draw.

Yext Launches Multiplayer Agent Harness for Marketing

Yext, Inc. announced the launch of a multiplayer agent harness for marketing teams, expanding its agentic marketing platform Scout. The new harness provides a shared, context-rich workspace where corporate teams, field teams, partners, and AI agents collaborate on the same goals. This addresses the problem that AI agents have improved productivity but not necessarily business outcomes, with only 37% of respondents reporting positive enterprise EBIT contribution despite 80% productivity gains, according to McKinsey. Yext's CEO emphasizes the importance of combining human judgment with AI agents that carry historical context and brand knowledge. Scout continuously monitors a brand's presence across search, listings, reviews, and social surfaces, bringing attention to issues and actions. The agent harness is live today with Yext account teams.

• Yext announced a multiplayer agent harness for marketing teams.
• The agent harness is part of the Scout agentic marketing platform.
• Scout monitors brand presence across search, listings, reviews, and social.

Promptwatch CEO on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

Promptwatch founder and CEO Gijs de Groot discusses how search behavior is shifting from traditional engines like Google to AI-driven systems, and why brands must optimize across a broader information ecosystem—what he calls Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Promptwatch, founded in March 2025, offers a platform that measures brand visibility in AI dialog systems, uses CDN log data and other signals to recommend technical and editorial optimizations, and has introduced a new solution called "Agentic AI Search Optimization" that can apply optimizations automatically. De Groot stresses the continuing importance of owned websites, high-quality content, and trusted sources while warning against mass low-quality AI content and an exclusive reliance on LLM-centered strategies.

• Promptwatch was founded in March 2025.
• Promptwatch offers a platform to optimize brand visibility in AI-driven dialog systems and to measure visibility in language-model answers.
• Promptwatch's entry packages start at €85 per month; the company also offers business licenses and enterprise solutions.