We’re entering a new era of search — and it’s not just about Google rankings anymore.
Imagine someone asking Google Gemini, ChatGPT, or Perplexity AI:
“What are the best digital marketing agencies in Thane?”
Or:
“Who are the top SEO experts for small businesses?”
You’ve spent years building your online presence, ranking high on Google, getting solid traffic… but suddenly, your brand doesn’t even show up in AI-generated results.
No mention. No visibility. No chance to be chosen.
Welcome to the world of AI-powered search, or what Google now calls Artificial Intelligence Overviews (AIO). And here’s the thing: most businesses aren’t even tracking it yet.
Traditional SEO Isn’t Dead… But It’s Changing Fast
We all know the basics of SEO — optimize your content, target the right keywords, build links, track rankings. And that still matters.
But with AI search tools taking center stage, that old system is no longer enough.
AI doesn’t show a list of 10 blue links anymore. It gives users one clear answer — often with zero links and no citations. If your business isn’t mentioned in that answer? You’re invisible.
That’s why visibility in AI search is now just as important as ranking on Google.
How Do You Know If AI Search Even Knows Your Brand?
Here are 4 simple ways to check:
1. Ask What AI Thinks of You
Try this prompt:
“What is [Your Business Name] known for?”
See what the AI says. Does it recognize your brand? Is the description accurate and up-to-date? Or worse… does it say nothing at all?
This kind of response shapes how people perceive you — so it’s important that it’s right.
2. Check if You’re in the “Best of” Lists
Try:
“Best digital marketing agency in Thane”
“Top local SEO experts near me”
AI loves to generate lists. If your brand isn’t showing up in these, it might be time to boost your reputation, online authority, and local presence.
3. Run a Competitor Comparison
Try:
“Is [Your Brand] better than [Competitor]?”
“Alternatives to [Competitor’s Name]”
This helps you see how AI tools position you next to others in your niche. If your competitor keeps popping up, and you don’t — that’s your sign to work on differentiation and content positioning.
4. Search by Category + Location
Try:
“Best local SEO services in Thane”
“Who does lead generation for small businesses in India?”
These types of queries help you check if AI tools understand what you offer — and where you offer it. If they don’t, your local SEO might need a tune-up.
So… How Do You Track This Stuff?
Unlike keyword rankings, there’s no easy dashboard (yet) to monitor your AI search presence. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it manually — or build it into your digital strategy.
Start by:
- Testing different prompts across platforms (Google, ChatGPT, etc.)
- Checking how your competitors are represented
- Updating your content and brand messaging to reflect what you actually want AI to say about you
This kind of visibility tracking is going to be a huge part of SEO going forward — and the sooner you get familiar with it, the better.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t replacing search — it’s changing how people use it.
If you’re not showing up in AI-generated answers, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities… even if you’re doing everything “right” by traditional SEO standards.
The good news? You can fix it. But it starts with awareness.
🔍 Want help figuring out how AI search sees your brand — and how to improve it?
I’d be happy to guide you through it.
