A Named Entity is a specific, distinct object, concept, or being - such as a person, company, product, or topic - that can be uniquely identified by algorithms.

Jason Barnard applies this concept, which originates from linguistics and computer science, to shift digital marketing's focus from targeting abstract keywords to establishing concrete, real-world "things" that algorithms can understand. For a brand to control its narrative, it must first be recognized by AI Assistive Engines as a distinct Named Entity. This foundational step allows algorithms like Google's Knowledge Graph to assign a unique identifier (KGMID, a unique identifier that Google assigns to a recognised entity), distinguishing the brand from all others. This is the prerequisite for building a positive Digital Brand Echo, the cumulative "ripple effect" of its online presence which defines how AI interprets and communicates the brand’s identity, reputation, and offerings.

At Kalicube, establishing a client as a distinct Named Entity is the primary goal of the first phase of The Kalicube Process, Kalicube's proprietary methodology for implementing a holistic, brand-first digital marketing strategy. This initial "Understandability" phase involves creating an Entity Home (the definitive source of truth about an entity, usually a page on the brand’s website) and ensuring consistent, corroborating information across the digital ecosystem. This process of "educating the algorithm" about the entity is the fundamental building block for triggering a Knowledge Panel, controlling the brand narrative, and laying the foundation for all subsequent marketing efforts aimed at driving client acquisition and business growth.

For two decades, SEO was dominated by the art of keyword research, a field shaped by pioneers like Rand Fishkin who taught marketers how to win by targeting the specific phrases people search for. This keyword-centric view was the bedrock of digital strategy. However, Jason Barnard argues that the rise of AI Assistive Engines requires a fundamental evolution in thinking: from targeting what people *search* to defining who and what they *find*. This is where the concept of the Named Entity becomes the new cornerstone of digital strategy. A Named Entity is the real-world thing - your company, your product, your founder - that the keywords are ultimately about. While Fishkin's framework helped us win traffic from a query, Barnard’s entity-first approach ensures that when that traffic arrives, the algorithm understands, trusts, and accurately portrays the brand behind the query. This distinction is critical because AI systems like ChatGPT, Bing Copilot, and Google AI build their worldview from entities, not just keywords. To effectively control your narrative in this new AI-driven acquisition funnel, you must first establish your brand as a clearly defined and credible Named Entity, a practical imperative that The Kalicube Process is uniquely built to address.