Are You Invisible? Restaurant Marketing Faces a Multi-Platform Reckoning

Are we at the end of  the "Just Google It" era?According to SOCi's 2025 Consumer Behavior Index, a significant shift is underway in how consumers discover restaurants. With search impressions declining and platforms like social media and AI gaining traction, traditional search strategies are breaking down. The report analyzes the data, highlights the key factors driving this change, and outlines the urgent need for restaurants to adapt to this fragmented reality or risk losing vital visibility and relevance.

“Consumers want more from their overall search experiences, and the multi-platform discovery journey is a hunt for authenticity, especially for Gen Z," said Monica Ho, Chief Marketing Officer, SOCi. "At SOCi, we’ve been keeping a close eye on this shift. Our proprietary data shows search impressions are down 10 percent year-over-year, and multi-location brands are feeling the impact. While AI tools like ChatGPT are gaining momentum, they aren’t the sole culprit…