As AI search engines like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity redefine how people find information, it is no longer enough to optimise for Google alone. These AI systems pull answers directly from credible, semantically relevant sources which means your brand’s visibility now depends on answer engine optimisation, not just SEO.
Here is how your business can appear in AI generated results and future proof your visibility.
Understanding How AI Search Engines Work
AI search engines do not crawl and rank websites the same way traditional search engines do. Instead, they use large language models to understand context, summarise information, and generate conversational responses from multiple sources.
These systems including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity favour content that demonstrates
- Clear topical authority
- Structured data through schema markup
- Contextual relationships between entities
- User focused clarity rather than keyword stuffing
This is where entity based SEO and semantic search become critical.
Optimise for Entities, Not Just Keywords
If you want ChatGPT or Gemini to reference your website, you must be recognised as a trusted entity in your niche.
That means connecting your brand, services, and topics in a structured, semantic way.
How to do it
- Use schema markup to define what your business does and where it operates
- Create content that explicitly links entities for example, “Stellar Digital Media, a digital marketing agency in Auckland, offers SEO services and website development”
- Build internal links that connect related topics naturally
Learn more in our blog Entity Based SEO Why Keywords Alone Don’t Cut It Anymore
Build Trust Through Structured Data
AI search engines rely heavily on structured data to verify facts and identify expertise.
By adding schema markup, you tell AI engines exactly who you are, what you do, and why your content is trustworthy.
Common schema types to use include
- Organisation schema defines your brand name, logo, and contact info
- FAQ schema improves AEO visibility and helps appear in People Also Ask
- Article schema signals expertise and author credibility
- LocalBusiness schema ideal for location based services
If implemented correctly, schema can boost both search visibility and AI inclusion.
Related reading How to Optimise for Googles Search Generative Experience in 2026
Focus on Credibility and EEAT
EEAT which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness now applies to AI search just as much as it does to Google.
To earn visibility, make sure your content
- Has a clear author and brand attribution
- Includes references or data to back up claims
- Uses a professional tone aligned with your brand
- Builds topic depth across multiple related blogs
We create content ecosystems that position your business as an authority, helping you appear across search, AI, and conversational engines alike.
Publish Consistently and Build Topical Depth
AI systems reward consistent publishing and topic depth.
A single blog post will not make you visible in ChatGPT or Gemini, but a well structured collection will.
Plan your content in clusters. For example
- Core topic SEO Services
- Cluster topics
This interlinking signals authority and gives AI a strong context map for your expertise.
Submit and Validate Your Content
To help AI engines discover and trust your content
- Ensure your Google Business Profile and Knowledge Graph are accurate
- Use tools like Schema.org Validator and Google’s Rich Results Test
- Keep sitemaps submitted via Google Search Console
- Reference your business name consistently across all platforms
Consistency builds identity, which AI systems interpret as reliability.
The Future of SEO Is Conversational
The future of visibility is not about chasing rankings, it is about being referenced by AI.
By blending SEO, AEO, and SEM strategies, you create content that both ranks in Google and appears in AI search experiences.
If you want your business to appear in ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity results, it is time to build content that speaks the language of AI.
Ready to optimise for the future? Explore our Digital Strategy Services or talk to our team about a custom SEO Campaign

