Kia Ora Digital has been awarded Best Use of AI in Search at the 2026 APAC Search Awards – one of the most respected search industry awards across Asia Pacific.
The APAC Search Awards celebrate the very best in search from across Asia and the Pacific region. The accolades are industry-recognised and represent a benchmark for agencies, in-house teams, and technology providers pushing the boundaries of digital marketing.
For Kia Ora Digital, this recognition reflects years of deliberate investment in AI-first SEO, Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO), and building proprietary systems designed for the next era of search.
Why This Award Matters in 2026
Search is no longer just about Google rankings.
AI Overviews, ChatGPT, generative search, and agentic discovery models are changing how users find brands. The shift from blue links to synthesised answers means visibility is no longer just about ranking – it’s about being referenced, recommended, and embedded in AI-driven decision journeys.
Winning Best Use of AI in Search signals that Kia Ora Digital’s strategy is not theoretical. It is commercially proven.
Dan Sim, Co-Founder and Head of Sales & Partnerships, said the award validates the direction the agency committed to years ago.
“We’ve been building toward this moment for a long time. AI search isn’t a future trend – it’s already reshaping how customers discover, compare, and choose brands. Being recognised across APAC confirms that what we’re doing in AI Search and ChatGPT optimisation isn’t experimental. It’s working.”
The APAC SEO landscape is more competitive than ever. Agencies are no longer competing purely on technical SEO or content production. They are competing on their ability to integrate AI, structured data, entity strategy, and commercial forecasting into a unified search growth model.
This award acknowledges that Kia Ora Digital is operating at that level.
From Rankings to AI Recommendations
The category win was centred on Kia Ora Digital’s work in AI in search optimisation.
That includes:
- Structuring content for AI extraction
- Optimising for Answer Engine visibility
- Building systems that improve AI citation likelihood
- Measuring AI presence rate and share of AI conversation
- Eliminating paid and organic cannibalisation
- Forecasting profit from search, not just traffic
As generative search expands, brands face a new challenge: visibility without attribution. Traditional SEO metrics alone no longer tell the full story.
Dan Sim explained the commercial shift brands must understand.
“The brands that win in AI in search aren’t just ranking. They’re being recommended. That’s a completely different strategic position. Our focus is on helping clients move from visibility to influence inside AI-generated answers.”
The award submission demonstrated measurable commercial outcomes driven by AI-first optimisation, not vanity metrics.
Building Technology, Not Just Campaigns
A defining factor in Kia Ora Digital’s recognition was its proprietary use of AI in search internally.
The agency has built internal tooling that enhances:
- Content modelling
- Entity mapping
- Semantic structuring
- AI citation tracking
- Commercial intent clustering
- Forecasting organic ROI in blended search environments
Ben McIntyre, Head of Operations & Delivery, emphasised that the award reflects both execution discipline and innovation.
“AI is powerful, but without an operational structure, it creates noise. What sets us apart is that we’ve embedded AI into our delivery systems. It’s not layered on top. It’s integrated into how we plan, build, test, and scale.”
Operational maturity is increasingly important as AI in search becomes more volatile. Algorithm changes are no longer confined to traditional search engines. LLM training updates, retrieval adjustments, and generative overlays can shift visibility patterns quickly.
Ben added:
“The pace of change is accelerating. Our job is to build systems that remain stable even when the environment shifts. That’s what clients are investing in – predictability inside an unpredictable landscape.”
Recognition in a Highly Competitive APAC Market
The APAC Search Awards are recognised across Asia and the Pacific as a benchmark for excellence.
The program celebrates agencies, in-house teams, and software providers who push the boundaries of digital marketing. Participation offers exposure to a diverse audience of industry leaders, peers, and potential clients.
Winning in this environment carries weight.
The APAC region includes some of the most technically advanced and commercially aggressive search markets globally. To be recognised within this field reinforces Kia Ora Digital’s position as a leader in AI Search strategy.
Dan Sim reflected on the significance of the broader industry recognition.
“Search across APAC is fiercely competitive. There’s exceptional talent in this region. To be recognised among that calibre of agencies makes the win meaningful. It’s validation from people who understand how complex search has become.”
The agency also acknowledged the global ecosystem supporting its growth, including partners and award organisers who continue to elevate standards across multiple markets.
What This Means for Brands
This award is not simply a milestone for Kia Ora Digital. It signals a broader shift in how brands should think about search.
Key implications for businesses in 2026:
- AI in search visibility must be engineered, not assumed.
- Technical SEO remains foundational.
- Content must be structured for machine extraction.
- Measurement must expand beyond rankings.
- Paid and organic strategies must be integrated.
- Profit forecasting should replace traffic obsession.
Ben McIntyre summarised the operational impact for clients.
“We’re seeing brands realise that traditional SEO playbooks are no longer sufficient. AI visibility requires deeper structure, clearer entity alignment, and stronger authority signals. Our focus is helping clients adapt before they’re forced to.”
2026: Just Getting Started
Kia Ora Digital’s award comes at a pivotal moment.
The agency is expanding its AI Search capabilities, investing further in proprietary technology, and preparing to launch new tools later in the year designed to enhance AI visibility monitoring and optimisation.
Dan Sim hinted at what’s ahead.
“This award reflects what we’ve already delivered. What we’re launching next builds on that foundation. 2026 is a big year for us and for the clients who want to lead in AI search rather than react to it.”
As generative engines reshape discovery, brands face a choice: wait and see, or build strategically.
Recognition at the APAC Search Awards confirms that Kia Ora Digital is not waiting.
We are engineering the next phase of AI in search.
About the APAC Search Awards
The APAC Search Awards celebrate the very best in search from across Asia and the Pacific region. The accolades recognise exceptional campaigns, strategies, and initiatives that advance digital marketing. Agencies, in-house teams, and individuals of all sizes are eligible, making the awards one of the most inclusive and competitive search benchmarks in the region.
For Kia Ora Digital, winning Best Use of AI in Search is not just an industry accolade.
It is a marker of where search is heading – and who is building for it.