How to Rank in AI Search Results (ChatGPT & SGE)
Ranking in AI search results is a major shift from traditional SEO. Google, the leading search engine, ranks web pages on keywords and backlinks, while LLM's (Large Language Models), such as ChatGPT and Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) rank web pages based on how your content functions as training data.
Now while this may sound confusing, today's goal is not only about being visible, it's about being cited as a valuable source for a specific answer. If you want to rank in AI search results, such as ChatGPT and SGE, continue reading below.
In order to be included in an AI response, your content must pass three invisible challenges:
AI models don't browse the internet in real time like we do, they rely on:
LLMs rely on vector embeddings to measure how y our content matches the user intent of the query. If the user asks “ how do I bake a chocolate cake?”, AI looks for content that is structurally and linguistically mirrors a successful solution. It doesn't only look at pages with that specific title.
In SGE specifically, Google prioritises E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). If your website is recognised as an expert in your niche, the AI is more likely to use your content over a generalist website.
In order to rank in AI search results, you need to ensure the following:
Articles should start with a clear two to three sentence definition on the core topic. The first fifty words matter! AI will look to determine if it quickly satisfies the user intent.
Schema markup is AI's native language. Schema markup, also known as structured data, gives AI the information it needs in a way it understands. When it understands your content, it is more likely to make you a preferred source.
It's important to target the prompt and not simply the keyword. Users prompt AI differently than when they search using Google. Rather than asking “what is the best CRM?”, they may ask “Which CRM is the best for a remote creative agency on a tight budget?”
LLM's, such as ChatGPT and SGE, learn from mentions across the internet. If your brand is discussed on Reddit, featured in a newsletter or cited in research papers, it helps the AI build a knowledge graph around your brand, recognising you as an authority.
In ChatGPT and SGE, AI answers users questions fully and directly with blue link results starting to decline. If you are the tenth blue link, your click through rate has probably already dropped significantly. Your winning move is to be of the cited sources in the AI carousel. If you need help ranking in AI search results, the Genie Crawl are here to assist. Call us today and let us help you improve your online visibility without delay.
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