AI search doesn’t play by Google’s rules.
But it’s way easier to game.
Unlike traditional SEO, you can show up in AI search results in days… if you know what you’re doing.
The kicker?
Customers from AI recs are 4.4x more valuable than your average Google click (source: SEMRush).
Here’s how I’d approach AI SEO if I were starting fresh today: 🧵
But it’s way easier to game.
Unlike traditional SEO, you can show up in AI search results in days… if you know what you’re doing.
The kicker?
Customers from AI recs are 4.4x more valuable than your average Google click (source: SEMRush).
Here’s how I’d approach AI SEO if I were starting fresh today: 🧵
1. Optimize for recognition
AI SEO is all about training LLMs to see you as “the best [fill in your niche].”
But these tools don’t crawl the web the way Google does.
They scrape for signals. Mentions. Testimonials. Listicles.
The good news? They’re way easier to influence.
You don’t need keyword stuffing. You need context.
LLMs think more like humans.
They don’t care if you used “best HVAC repair Chicago” 14 times (believe it or not, people still do this).
They rely on NLP to see if your content sounds like someone solving a real problem.
So talk like a human.
Do thorough research on your ideal customer and write to solve their biggest pains.
AI SEO is all about training LLMs to see you as “the best [fill in your niche].”
But these tools don’t crawl the web the way Google does.
They scrape for signals. Mentions. Testimonials. Listicles.
The good news? They’re way easier to influence.
You don’t need keyword stuffing. You need context.
LLMs think more like humans.
They don’t care if you used “best HVAC repair Chicago” 14 times (believe it or not, people still do this).
They rely on NLP to see if your content sounds like someone solving a real problem.
So talk like a human.
Do thorough research on your ideal customer and write to solve their biggest pains.
2. Don’t write as your business. Write ABOUT your business.
LLMs don’t want to hear from you. They want to hear about you.
So ditch the “we’re passionate about serving our community” fluff.
Instead, create short third-person blog posts that answer queries like:
“Who’s the best [service] in [location]?”
Make it sound like an unbiased expert wrote it. Keep it tight. Include a review, case study, or specific feature.
AI loves this stuff. Especially when it’s structured like a direct answer.
LLMs don’t want to hear from you. They want to hear about you.
So ditch the “we’re passionate about serving our community” fluff.
Instead, create short third-person blog posts that answer queries like:
“Who’s the best [service] in [location]?”
Make it sound like an unbiased expert wrote it. Keep it tight. Include a review, case study, or specific feature.
AI loves this stuff. Especially when it’s structured like a direct answer.
3. The AI SEO content stack (don’t skip these)
AI tools pull answers from content that proves value fast.
Here’s the stack:
→ Case studies prove outcomes.
→ FAQs answer decision-stage questions.
→ Comparisons help AI recommend you.
→ Pricing pages eliminate confusion.
None of these are optional anymore.
AI tools pull answers from content that proves value fast.
Here’s the stack:
→ Case studies prove outcomes.
→ FAQs answer decision-stage questions.
→ Comparisons help AI recommend you.
→ Pricing pages eliminate confusion.
None of these are optional anymore.
4. Name drops = Links
AI doesn’t care about dofollow vs nofollow.
Instead, they care about what other people are saying about you.
They crawl Reddit, Quora, forums, Yelp, blog comments, and roundup articles.
…Basically anywhere humans talk.
So go get yourself mentioned.
If you can’t get links, name drops are the next best thing.
AI doesn’t care about dofollow vs nofollow.
Instead, they care about what other people are saying about you.
They crawl Reddit, Quora, forums, Yelp, blog comments, and roundup articles.
…Basically anywhere humans talk.
So go get yourself mentioned.
If you can’t get links, name drops are the next best thing.
5. Fill out every business profile on the internet.
This is step zero, yet most people skip it.
Claim and complete:
• Google Business Profile
• Bing Places
• LinkedIn company page
• Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads
• BBB, Yelp, Angie, HomeAdvisor, etc.
And yes, actually fill out the “About” sections. That’s where LLMs pull context from.
If you’re a local biz, look for niche city directories too.
This is step zero, yet most people skip it.
Claim and complete:
• Google Business Profile
• Bing Places
• LinkedIn company page
• Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads
• BBB, Yelp, Angie, HomeAdvisor, etc.
And yes, actually fill out the “About” sections. That’s where LLMs pull context from.
If you’re a local biz, look for niche city directories too.
6. Reviews still move the needle
AI tools are pulling hard from review sites (especially Yelp, Trustpilot, and Google).
Gemini, ChatGPT, even Perplexity scan them to figure out who’s legit and who’s not.
Stop waiting for happy customers to maybe say something nice. Ask them.
Build a system around collecting reviews on autopilot.
Stack those 5-stars. Raise your average rating. Bump your total count.
This is one of the fastest ways to boost AI visibility without touching your site.
AI tools are pulling hard from review sites (especially Yelp, Trustpilot, and Google).
Gemini, ChatGPT, even Perplexity scan them to figure out who’s legit and who’s not.
Stop waiting for happy customers to maybe say something nice. Ask them.
Build a system around collecting reviews on autopilot.
Stack those 5-stars. Raise your average rating. Bump your total count.
This is one of the fastest ways to boost AI visibility without touching your site.
TL;DR: The AI SEO checklist for 2025:
✅ Create recommendation-style blog posts
✅ List your business on every possible directory
✅ Get included in “Best of” listicles (or write your own)
✅ Publish reviews, FAQs, case studies, and pricing pages
✅ Speak like a human. Write like one too.
✅ Make AI’s job easy, and they’ll reward you
✅ Create recommendation-style blog posts
✅ List your business on every possible directory
✅ Get included in “Best of” listicles (or write your own)
✅ Publish reviews, FAQs, case studies, and pricing pages
✅ Speak like a human. Write like one too.
✅ Make AI’s job easy, and they’ll reward you
Wondering how your business shows up in AI search?
We’re doing free visibility audits this week.
Put your deets here:
go.thesearchinitiative.com/4mMaQHP
We’re doing free visibility audits this week.
Put your deets here:
go.thesearchinitiative.com/4mMaQHP
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