AI Search Optimization covers the technical and content signals that cause AI systems — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, and Gemini — to cite your content and recommend your business by name. It includes two disciplines: AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) for getting cited in informational answers, and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) for getting recommended in commercial queries. Core deliverables include llms.txt creation, robots.txt AI crawler access, FAQPage schema, Organization schema with entity signals, content structure optimization, and ongoing AI citation monitoring.

AEO targets informational AI queries — when an AI generates an answer using your website content. GEO targets commercial recommendation queries — when an AI names your company as a recommendation. AEO is about content citation, GEO is about brand recommendation. Both require the same foundational signals (llms.txt, FAQPage schema, entity consistency), but GEO additionally requires strong Google Business Profile optimization and broader brand authority.

No. Google's official guidance (May 2026) states that traditional SEO best practices remain foundational to success with generative AI features. Technical SEO — Core Web Vitals, crawlability, content quality, backlink authority — is the foundation AI search optimization builds on. A site with poor traditional SEO will underperform in AI search even with good AEO signals. We implement both simultaneously in every campaign.

llms.txt is a plain text file at your domain root (yourdomain.com/llms.txt) that tells AI crawlers what content exists on your site and how to prioritize it. Without it, GPTBot, ClaudeBot, and PerplexityBot make their own indexing decisions and often miss important service pages. Creating llms.txt takes 30 minutes and produces measurable improvement in AI impression data within 4-8 weeks. It is one of the most overlooked AI search signals and one of the easiest to implement.

FAQPage schema is JSON-LD structured data that marks question-and-answer content in machine-readable format. AI systems actively look for it because it provides self-contained, validated Q&A pairs they can extract directly. The highest-performing format is a clear question heading followed by a 40-80 word answer that is complete without page context. We write 10-15 of these per service page, implement with FAQPage JSON-LD, and validate with Google's Rich Results Test.

Two measurement sources. Google Search Console's Generative AI features report (Beta) tracks how often your content appeared in AI-generated results — AI Overviews and AI Mode. SEMrush AI Visibility tracks citation counts across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, AI Overviews, and Gemini, showing cited pages and frequency. We report both monthly. Our engineering client grew from near-zero to 8,119 AI citations per month — both tools confirmed the data with screenshots available.

Most clients see first Generative AI impressions in GSC within 4-8 weeks. AI Overviews citations appear within 6 weeks for well-implemented sites. ChatGPT and Perplexity citations tracked via SEMrush typically appear within 8-12 weeks. Growth is slow initially then accelerates — as AI systems gain confidence in your content, they cite it more frequently and the effect compounds. For new domains, expect 8-12 weeks to first citations and 4-6 months to meaningful volume.

Via SEMrush AI Visibility — a dedicated tool that monitors how frequently your domain and pages are cited across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, AI Overviews, and Gemini. It shows total citation count, cited page breakdown, and citation trend over time. We include these reports in every monthly deliverable. Note: real-time ChatGPT response testing is unreliable because AI responses vary — the SEMrush panel provides consistent, comparable data.

Yes. The signals don't conflict with traditional SEO. We frequently work alongside existing agencies to add the AI layer they aren't delivering. The technical foundation your agency has built — content quality, schema, domain authority — actually accelerates AI search results. We add llms.txt, AI crawler verification, FAQPage schema for extraction, entity signals, and citation monitoring. The only coordination needed is ensuring the existing agency doesn't block AI crawlers through robots.txt changes.

Yes, and local businesses have a specific advantage. Google Business Profile is the most authoritative local entity signal for AI systems. When someone asks ChatGPT "who should I call for plumbing in Houston?" the AI prioritizes businesses with strong entity consistency across GBP, website, and directories — combined with location-specific FAQ content. A well-optimized GBP with correct entity schema puts a local business in a strong AI recommendation position within weeks. We have verified results across HVAC, property management, dental, legal, and permit services.

Yes. 77% of Australians now use AI tools monthly to find products and services (Telsyte 2026) — one of the highest adoption rates globally. We have active campaigns for Australian businesses in engineering, trades, property, and digital services. Our Queensland digital agency client has 30 pages cited in ChatGPT and 45 total AI citations across platforms. The signals we implement are platform-agnostic and work equally in Australian search contexts.

Implementation projects (audit, llms.txt, FAQPage schema, entity signals, content restructuring) typically start from $800 to $1,500 USD depending on page count and existing technical SEO. Ongoing monthly retainers for citation monitoring, new content optimization, and reporting start from $400/month. We confirm pricing on the strategy call after the free audit — every site has different requirements and the audit tells us exactly what's needed before we quote.

Engineering and technical services (8,119 AI citations/month), permit and site plan services, property management, digital agencies, dental practices, home services and contractors, legal services, and eCommerce. The foundational signals (llms.txt, FAQPage schema, entity signals) are industry-agnostic. The specific FAQ content and entity signals are adapted to match what potential clients in your industry actually ask AI systems.

Month-to-month with no long-term lock-in. Implementation (audit, llms.txt, FAQPage schema, entity signals) is delivered in the first 4-6 weeks. Meaningful citation data takes 3-6 months to develop. We tell clients honestly that 3 months is the minimum useful engagement — it takes that long to see whether the citation trend is establishing. We do not require 12-month commitments. Your commitment is one month at a time.

Start with the free AI visibility audit — it takes 60 seconds and covers all 6 criteria: llms.txt status, robots.txt AI crawler access, FAQPage schema, entity signals, content structure, and your current Generative AI features data from GSC. The report is delivered within 48 hours and shows exactly where you stand. No sales call until you ask for one.