In 2026, with AI overviews and chatbots like ChatGPT answering a large share of queries before a user ever clicks a link, the rules of visibility have fundamentally changed.

To stay discoverable, you need to move from just “optimizing for keywords” to “optimizing for answers.” This is where AI SEO comes in.

In this guide, you will learn what is AI SEO, how it differs from traditional SEO, why it matters for brands, and the exact strategies you can use to increase your chances of being cited and recommended by AI-driven search platforms.

What is AI SEO? 

AI SEO is the set of activities aimed at optimizing your website for AI search results so it appears in ChatGPT, AI overviews, and other AI-driven platforms. 

For example, when someone searches for a query, and your site shows up in an AI Overview, your content can be cited directly, featured in summaries, and reach users without them clicking traditional search results.

Why is AI SEO Important? 

AI SEO matters more than ever, and here’s why.

• Users have changed the way they search: Since people have started actively using tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to get answers to their questions, it’s become a must to adapt to these changes and meet your target audience where they are active. 

• Improves brand recognition and authority: AI-driven platforms cite only those brands that are trustworthy in the industry. So, the more you optimize your content, the more brand mentions you can get in AI recommendations. 

• Helps you refine content messaging and structure: AI SEO helps you identify the types of content AI platforms are most likely to cite. These insights allow you to tweak your content to appear in AI recommendations. In our experience, listicles perform exceptionally well, and we’ll explain why shortly.

So, believe in AI SEO or not, the reality is clear: if your brand isn’t showing up in AI search results, you’re missing out on audiences actively looking for the answers or solutions you already provide.

SEO vs AIO: Which One Should You Prioritize?

The short answer is that today, both AIO and SEO are important and essential for online visibility.  

But let’s break down some key differences between these two. 

The goal

• SEO (search engine optimization) is the process of improving a website’s visibility in search engines like Google or Bing, improving rankings, and organic traffic.

• AIO (artificial intelligence optimization) is aimed at increasing the chances of being cited and referenced by AI search engines.

Where you appear

• SEO: Traditional search result pages (e.g., Google search results), Google featured snippets, and local packs (e.g., 

• AIO: AI summaries, chat answers, voice assistants, and “AI overview” panels.

Signals that matter

• SEO: Unique, people-first content, website’s technical health, and backlinks.

• AIO: All of the above, plus schema markup or structured data, third-party validation and reviews, content clarity and structure, brand mentions, and topical authority. 

As you can see, AI SEO and traditional SEO don’t contradict but complement each other. Relying only on SEO won’t give you much, but combining it with AIO optimization will give you the best results.

AI SEO Optimization Checklist: Here’s What We Recommend

Below are some basic strategies we have tested, and you can use them as well to boost your AI SEO. 

Create Compelling Content

Content is still highly important, and here’s what we recommend adding to your strategy.

• Create content that meets Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines. When it comes to being cited or referenced, LLMs still choose reliable sources that demonstrate real expertise.

• Target informational queries (e.g, “how to start a business”) and long-tail keywords. Think about how a user would ask a friend for specific information or advice. That’s the language LLMs are looking for. 
  
• Improve readability. LLMs prefer content that’s easy to scan. Keep paragraphs short and use bullet points.

• Use “Answer-First” formatting. AI models love to summarize. Give clear definitions and summaries of complex ideas so they can easily understand the main point, extract key information, and respond with accurate and focused results.

These simple steps can help your content be easier for AI to understand, show up in search results, and reach more people.

Invest in Listicles 

One type of content LLMs love and cite often is listicles. 

These are types of blog posts in the form of lists, such as “Best AI tools,” “Top SEO platforms,” or “Best link building agencies.” 

AI models prefer this format because it’s easy for them to scan. Since listicles are broken down into short sections, the AI can quickly identify what your business is about and what you offer.

To make this work for your brand, you don’t have to be on any list. The key is to be on the right ones. Focus on getting featured in “top 10” or “best of” guides within your specific niche. 

Here’s an example of a listicle about “Top 5 Link Building Agencies,” with SayNine leading the first position.

When these articles provide a clear summary of your services/products, pricing, features, and pros/cons, it gives the LLM all the data it needs to recommend you confidently. 

Build Backlinks and Brand Mentions

To further improve LLM visibility, you need to build relevant backlinks. They still matter even now when AI seems to be taking over everything. 

But not all types of backlinks, only the good ones, especially those from SaaS and niche-related websites. The more backlinks from trusted sources point to you, the more LLMs are likely to trust your brand and recommend it. 

Brand mentions offer a double benefit: linked brand mentions improve your SEO while building brand recognition at the same time. When your name often appears on reputable sites, it trains the AI to associate you with quality, even if it’s an unlinked brand mention. 

So, your goal in 2026 should be to get your name into conversations in your niche. It could be blog posts, reviews, podcasts, forums, expert roundups, and other types of mentions on channels where your target audience already spends time.

How We Boosted GroWrk’s AI Visibility: Case Study

GroWrk, a company that provides IT equipment to teams, wasn’t showing up in AI recommendations.

We worked with them to change that and created targeted listicles that helped our client look credible and easy to recommend.

Why listicles? 

• They are easy for AI tools to scan
• They break complex topics into smaller, digestible sections
• They have a clear structure and a well-organized format

The results were quick. In one month, we achieved 60% increase in AI citations, as well as an improvement in Domain Rating (DR) and organic traffic. 

Curious how we achieved these results and the exact steps we took? Check out the full case study.

AI SEO Insights: Perspectives from Industry Experts

We explored what top SEO experts are saying about AI SEO. Here are some interesting insights they share.

Leigh McKenzie from SEMrush commented on AI SEO in a LinkedIn post.

Tom Jeffery from Screaming Frog notes:

Andrew Warden says that “backlinks don’t matter in AI search” is false.

The bottom line is that AI SEO is here to stay. The sooner you integrate it into your SEO strategy, the better visibility you’ll have in both Google and AI search results. 

Wrapping Up

So, what is AI SEO really about in 2026? It is about making sure your brand stays visible in a search where answers are generated instantly, not clicked through. 

AI SEO is no longer optional but a must-have strategy to help your content get understood, trusted, cited, and recommended by LLM-driven platforms. 

Implementing AI SEO the right way requires more than theory. We help brands to get more AI citations and consistent recommendations across AI search platforms. Discover how our AI SEO services can help. Got questions? Contact us today!

FAQ about what is AI SEO