The AI Search Mastery Journey (2025)
Beginner
AEO Foundations
Understand how AI search works, where it pulls data from, and why it differs from Google.
- Learn the difference between citations and rankings, and why being mentioned matters.
Content Structuring
Learn how to format content so AI can extract and cite it easily.
- Use clear headings, direct answers, and FAQ formats that AI can parse.
Schema Implementation
Add structured data to help AI platforms understand your content.
- Implement FAQ, HowTo, and Product schema on key pages.
Intermediate
Conversational Optimisation
Write content that matches how people ask questions to AI platforms.
- Think: natural language queries, not keyword strings. "How do I..." vs "best practices for..."
Multi-Platform Presence
Build authority across platforms where AI systems pull data.
- Optimise for Google, Reddit, YouTube, industry forums, and review sites.
Entity Building
Connect your brand to specific topics so AI platforms recognise your expertise.
- Think: Wikipedia pages, Knowledge Panels, consistent brand mentions across platforms.
Advanced
Citation Tracking
Monitor where and how often your brand appears in AI-generated responses.
- Use tools like Peec AI, Otterly, or manual checks across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini.
Content Authority Signals
Build trust indicators that AI platforms use to determine credibility.
- Think: author credentials, original research, recent updates, quality backlinks.
AI-First Architecture
Structure your entire site with AI extraction in mind.
- Implement topic clusters, clean technical SEO, and AI crawler access (OAI-SearchBot, PerplexityBot).
3 Key AI Optimisation Tips
Put the direct answer in the first 60 words of every page. AI systems extract opening paragraphs. Context and details can follow.
Stop optimising everywhere at once. Master visibility on ChatGPT first. Understand how it cites, then apply learnings to Perplexity and others.
Being cited ≠ getting clicks. Monitor where AI platforms mention your brand. Measure share of voice in AI responses for your industry.
The CITE Framework™
Accelerate your journey through all 9 levels with our proprietary methodology:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is AI search mastery different from traditional SEO?
Traditional SEO focuses on ranking pages in Google search results. AI search mastery focuses on being cited as the authoritative source when AI systems generate answers. The skills overlap (content quality, authority building), but AI search requires additional focus on extractability, conversational formats, and multi-platform presence.
Which AI platform should I optimise for first?
Start with ChatGPT—it has the largest user base and clearest citation patterns. Once you understand how ChatGPT discovers and cites content, apply those learnings to Perplexity (which shows citations transparently) and Gemini. Each platform has nuances, but fundamentals transfer across all.
Why is entity building important for AI search?
AI systems need to understand what your brand is and what topics you're authoritative about. When your brand is established as an entity (via Wikipedia, Knowledge Panels, consistent mentions), AI can confidently recommend you. Without entity recognition, you're just another website competing for attention.
How do I know if AI crawlers can access my content?
Check your robots.txt file for blocks on GPTBot, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot, and OAI-SearchBot. If these are blocked, AI systems can't index your content. Also ensure your site uses server-side rendering—client-side JavaScript content is often invisible to AI crawlers.
What's the most important metric for AI search success?
Citation frequency—how often your content is referenced when AI systems answer relevant queries. Track this through manual testing, tools like Peec AI, or brand mention monitoring. Unlike traditional SEO where rankings are the metric, AI search success is measured by how often you're the cited source.
How fast is AI search traffic growing?
AI referral traffic has grown 1,200% year-over-year according to seoClarity research. ChatGPT now processes over 1 billion searches per week—roughly 10% of Google's volume. Early movers optimising for AI citations are capturing disproportionate value while competitors focus solely on traditional SEO. The growth trajectory suggests AI search will become a primary traffic source within 2-3 years.
What content format works best for AI citations?
Direct answers in the first 40-60 words, followed by supporting context. Use clear H2 headings with question-style formatting. Include FAQ schema markup (sites with FAQ schema see 2.5x more AI citations). Lists and step-by-step formats also extract well. Avoid generic introductions—AI systems skip fluff and look for immediate value.
Ready to Dominate AI Search Results?
Our SEO agency specializes in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies that get your brand cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. We combine traditional SEO expertise with cutting-edge AI visibility tactics.