Research and discovery

I find the junction where technology meets the human experience fascinating. It’s also a space often dazzled by novelty and gimmick. Having a classical approach to research helps keeps that glare in check by honoring the bedrock of how we’ve always sought knowledge: with intent, rigor, and a whole lot of curiosity.

My approach is grounded in evidence and clear reasoning; the time-tested methods of inquiry, while keeping a steady eye on why it matters and the consequences it may bring. I believe in the value of understanding things deeply and explaining them plainly.

The past offers context; the future demands purpose, and a little dry humor never hurts.

Yext Research

I'm honord to be the editor of Yext Research. Not only do I get to study how the internet works and how we're interacting with it, I get to work with some amazing researchers.

Learn more about Yext Research.

But in the meantime, here's some pieces I've worked on.

• Christian Ward; Adam Abernathy; Alan Ai (2025), The 88% Advantage for AI in Financial Services: A 2.3M citation analysis reveals how financial brands can take direct control of their AI visibility and how brand websites dominate 47% of all citations, Vol 1.
• Christian Ward; Anthony Rinaldi; Adam Abernathy; Alan Ai (2025), AI Citations, User Locations, & Query Context: Location-Level Analysis of 6.8 Million AI Citations Reveals Why Geographic Context Should Be the Foundation of Brand Visibility Strategy, Vol 1.
• Adam Abernathy; Lilla Szabo; Christian Ward (2025), Building a Monthly Digital Brand Visibility Observatory: Background and methods for collecting 2 billion monthly data points for the Scout Index, Vol 1.
• Ariana Martino; Adam Abernathy (2025), Optimizing Keyword Selection for Local SEO: The local competition advantage: select optimal keywords based on local competitors, Vol 1.
• Michael Iannelli; Sneha Kuchipudi; Adam Abernathy (2025), Best Practices Will Only Take You So Far: A statistical look at regional and industry variation in local SEO ranking factors, Vol 1.
• Arjun Sangwan; Anthony Rinaldi; Adam Abernathy (2025), Impact of SERP Ranking on Engagement: Investigating CTR performance & Highlights in Unique YMYL Behavior, Vol 1.

Physics and meteorology

Peer reviewed papers

• Mace, G. G.; Abernathy, A. C. (2016),Observational Evidence for Aerosol Invigoration in Shallow Cumulus Downstream of Mount Kilauea, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol 43.
• Abernathy, A. C. (2015), Statistically analyzing indirect effects of increased SO2 in low-level maritime clouds using A-Train, Vol 15.

Reviewed presentations

• Alexander A. Jacques; J. D. Horel; C. Galli; J. Pechmann; A. Abernathy; J. S. Young (2018). Recent Improvements to the Access of Mesonet Observations via MesoWest. American Meteorological Society 98th Annual Meeting AMS Austin, TX 2018-01-07 to 2018-01-11 [289].
• Adam C. Abernathy (2017). Monitoring the Health of Surface-Based Observational Networks. American Meteorological Society 97th Annual Meeting AMS Seattle, WA 2017-01-22 to 2017-01-26 [447].
• Randall Vowels; A. Abernathy (2017). Monitoring Weather Conditions Near Wildfires. American Meteorological Society 97th Annual Meeting AMS Seattle, WA 2017-01-22 to 2017-01-26.
• Adam C. Abernathy; G. G. Mace (2015). How Do Shallow Cumulus Respond to Highly Variable Natural Aerosol? An Analysis of A-Train Data Downstream of Kilauea. American Geophysics Union Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, CA 2015-12-14 to 2015-12-18 [A41B-0064].
• Gerald G. Mace; A. Abernathy (2015). Seasonal Variability of Clouds and Precipitation in the Southern Oceans as Diagnosed from A-Train D. American Geophysics Union Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, CA 2015-12-14 to 2015-12-18 [A54B-06].
• Adam C. Abernathy; G. G. Mace (2015). Statistically analyzing indirect effects of increased SO2 in low-level maritime clouds Updated Findings. American Meteorological Society 95th Annual Meeting AMS Phoenix, AZ 2015-01-04 to 2015-01-08.
• Adam C. Abernathy; K. Perry (2015). Benefits of establishing a student operated forecast office and active learning environment for undergraduates. American Meteorological Society 95th Annual Meeting AMS Phoenix, AZ 2015-01-04 to 2015-01-08.
• Adam C. Abernathy; G. G. Mace (2014). Statistically analyzing indirect effects of increased SO2 in low level maritime clouds. American Geophysics Union Fall Meeting AGU San Francisco, CA 2014-12-15 to 2014-12-19.
• Adam C. Abernathy; K. Perry (2014). Benefits of establishing a student operated forecast office and active learning environment for undergraduates. National Weather Association 39th Annual Meeting NWA Salt Lake City, UT 2014-10-18 to 2014-10-23.