AI Search Optimization (GEO): How brands get visibility in ChatGPT & AI Search

Learn what Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is, how AI search engines decide which brands to mention, and why traditional SEO is no longer enough.

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What is AI SEARCH OPTIMIZATION (GEO)?

AI Search Optimization, also known as Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), is the practice of improving a brand’s visibility inside AI-generated answers from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity.

Instead of ranking web pages like Google Search, AI search engines generate direct answers to user questions. These answers often include brand names, tools, and recommendations.

For example, users increasingly ask questions such as:

  • “Best B2B SaaS tools for CRM”

  • “Alternatives to HubSpot”

  • “What tool should I use for AI monitoring?”

If your brand is not mentioned in these AI answers, it becomes invisible in a growing part of the customer journey.

Why Traditional SEO is no longer enough?

For years, SEO focused on ranking web pages on Google using keywords, backlinks, and technical optimization.

AI search works differently.

Large language models do not return a list of blue links. They generate a single synthesized answer based on their understanding of the web, sources, and brand authority.

As a result:

  • A brand can rank well on Google but never appear in AI answers

  • AI engines may recommend competitors with weaker SEO

  • Users may never visit your website before making a decision

Traditional SEO is still important, but it no longer guarantees visibility in AI-driven discovery.

How AI Search Engines decide which brands to mention?

AI Search Optimization, also known as Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), is the practice of improving a brand’s visibility inside AI-generated answers from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity.

Instead of ranking web pages like Google Search, AI search engines generate direct answers to user questions. These answers often include brand names, tools, and recommendations.

For example, users increasingly ask questions such as:

  • “Best B2B SaaS tools for CRM”

  • “Alternatives to HubSpot”

  • “What tool should I use for AI monitoring?”

If your brand is not mentioned in these AI answers, it becomes invisible in a growing part of the customer journey.

SEO vs AI Search Optimization (GEO)

Traditional SEO

  • Ranks web pages

  • Focuses on keywords

  • Google-centric

  • Traffic-oriented

  • Search results pages

AI Search Optimization (GEO)

  • Mentions brands in answers

  • Focuses on prompts and questions

  • Multi-engine (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)

  • Visibility & recommendations

  • Direct AI-generated answers

How to measure brand visibility in AI Search?

Measuring AI search visibility is fundamentally different from measuring SEO performance.

There is no “AI Search Console.”

To understand AI visibility, brands need to:

  • Test real prompts users ask AI tools

  • Analyze which brands are mentioned or omitted

  • Compare results across multiple AI engines

  • Track visibility changes over time

  • Benchmark against competitors

Without measurement, brands operate blind in AI-driven discovery.

How Indexor helps brands improve AI Search visibility?

Indexor helps B2B brands understand and improve how they appear in AI search engines.

With Indexor, teams can:

  • Measure brand visibility across ChatGPT and other AI engines

  • Identify which prompts trigger brand mentions

  • Compare AI visibility against competitors

  • Detect gaps between SEO performance and AI presence

  • Track progress over time with clear insights

Indexor acts as the missing visibility layer between SEO, content, and AI search.

Check How AI Search Engines See Your Brand

Discover where your brand appears, or doesn’t in ChatGPT.