Where the search industry actually sits on AI adoption.
A weekly, evidence-backed measure of AI search adoption, built from observable market signals.
The Curve measures how established AI search has become inside organisations.
We look for public evidence of experimentation, active use, repeatable operations and standard practice. Market attention alone does not move the Curve.
- 1Awareness
The shift is recognised, but there is no evidence of active implementation.
- 2Experimentation
Teams are testing tools, methods or workflows.
- 3Adoption
AI search is being used in real products, services, campaigns or workflows.
- 4Operationalised
The work is repeatable, measured, resourced and embedded into normal operations.
- 5Standard practice
AI search is part of how the organisation routinely operates, budgets and makes decisions.
Signal strength is a separate measure. It answers a different question: how significant is this market signal?
The Curve is how I work, published in public.
Founders hire me to say something about their market that holds up under scrutiny. The Curve is that method running on my own subject: collect the evidence, score it, place the market, publish a reading every week, and defend the number when someone disagrees. When I run it for you, the subject is your category and the reading belongs to your company.
- Evidence first
Every dot carries a public source. Your narrative gets built the same way, so a sceptical buyer can check it.
- A number to defend
One reading, one method page, one archive. That is what makes a position quotable instead of decorative.
- Published on a clock
A weekly edition, an RSS feed and a machine readable file. Consistency is what earns the citations.
The strongest evidence pushing adoption forward, or pulling it back.
- 2026-10-12 · Press Gazette · AI
NYT and publishers join SPUR AI coalition for fair payment
Source → - 2026-10-12 · SparkToro
Human-made content predicted to become premium signal amidst AI content deluge
Source → - 2026-10-10 · The Verge · AI
Microsoft CEO suggests AI models may be compromised; emphasizes security for enterprises
Source → - 2026-10-10 · TechCrunch AI
Apple Licenses AI Podcast Tech and Hires Team from Huxe
Source →
The four things that decide where this goes next.
- Budget allocation
Are AI search programmes receiving dedicated spend?
- Workflow adoption
Is AI visibility becoming part of normal SEO operations?
- Measurement
Are teams moving beyond experimental dashboards?
- Executive adoption
Is AI search appearing in planning, procurement and reporting?