If you’re a CMO navigating 2025, you’ve likely noticed a significant shift in how customers find information. AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Bing’s AI chat, Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience), voice assistants, and zero-click answer boxes are reshaping search behavior. Users are getting answers directly from AI-driven tools – sometimes without ever clicking a link. Traditional SEO is still essential, but the definition of “search visibility” has expanded dramatically.
In this article, we’ll explore how SEO is evolving in a world where GPT-based tools are influencing search habits. We’ll focus specifically on SEO for GPT, breaking down how tools like ChatGPT source their information, how to position your content to be selected by AI-generated answers, and how to blend traditional SEO tactics with answer engine strategies. Plus, we’ll share fresh stats, industry posts, and case studies (including from Brainz Digital, of course) to guide your strategy.
What Is SEO for GPT?
SEO for GPT refers to the practice of optimizing content for visibility in GPT-powered language models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. These models answer user questions by summarizing, citing, or paraphrasing web content from their training data or real-time results (in the case of models with browsing capabilities).
This type of optimization focuses less on getting clicks from SERPs and more on being included or cited as a trusted source within LLM outputs. The stakes are high: being quoted in ChatGPT’s browsing mode or appearing in a Google SGE summary can massively influence brand authority, query satisfaction, and even direct conversions.
SEO for GPT also taps into the trust economy. Unlike Google, which often serves content from questionable domains buried in SEO tactics, LLMs tend to favor semantically clear, human-sounding, and frequently cited content. That’s why entities with strong brand signals or consistent topical authority gain a clear advantage.
Industry Voices on SEO for GPT
A recent viral post by Aleyda Solis on LinkedIn sparked thousands of impressions with this insight:
“If you want ChatGPT to quote your blog post, don’t optimize for Google’s algorithm. Optimize for clarity. AI rewards well-structured, human-readable content.”
Similarly, Kevin Indig tweeted:
“GPTs don’t care about backlinks. They care about context, citations, and consistency.”
This sentiment echoes across SEO Twitter, where experts like Lily Ray, Bernard Huang, and Cyrus Shepard continue to emphasize the role of formatting and authority in ranking for LLMs.
Another example: Amanda Natividad noted in a recent workshop how B2B brands that summarize their own whitepapers in Q&A format see better visibility across both SGE and Perplexity. Her post received over 1,500 interactions and sparked dozens of similar experiments.
A New Playbook for CMOs: Aligning SEO with AI (What to Do Next)
So, as a marketing leader, how should you approach SEO in this brave new world of ChatGPT and AI everywhere? Here’s a quick roadmap to guide your strategy:
- Double Down on SEO Fundamentals: First, get your house in order. Technical health (site speed, mobile UX, structured markup, crawlability) is non-negotiable. These factors are the foundation for any success – you can’t be an AI answer if your content isn’t indexed or loads too slowly to be considered. Also, ensure your core pages have clear messaging and strong CTAs; when those high-intent users arrive, you want to convert them.
- Incorporate AEO into Content Strategy: For every new piece of content, ask “Is this formatted to answer a specific question clearly?” and “Could this be the best answer on the web for this query?” Use headers that match question queries, and provide succinct answers. Basically, design content with answer-extraction in mind. Consider creating dedicated Q&A content hubs or glossaries for your industry – these can perform well in voice and AI search scenarios.
- Leverage GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): This is the practice of optimizing content specifically for generative AI platforms. Some quick GEO tips include: provide context-rich answers, use AI-friendly language (clear, neutral tone), and even test prompts with your content (“If I ask ChatGPT about this topic, does it get it right? If not, what could I add to my content to help it?”). Generative AI often stumbles on ambiguous or overly complex wording, so keep it straightforward. Think of it as writing for a really smart 10th grader – knowledgeable but needs clarity.
- Elevate E-E-A-T and Brand Trust: Make your brand the one that AI should pick. Highlight your experts, showcase your experience (case studies, client results, testimonials), and ensure your site has those trust signals (privacy policy, about us, contact info, etc.). Off-site, work on PR and thought leadership – get your knowledgeable voices out there on podcasts, webinars, LinkedIn posts. Not only will this drive human awareness, it creates more content featuring your expertise that AI can ingest. As one expert aptly said, “Every post, every thread, every insight shared online isn’t just for the audience, it’s training the algorithms that shape search and AI-driven discovery.” In short, be ubiquitous and credible.
- Monitor, Adapt, and Experiment: The search landscape will keep evolving – possibly faster than ever. Set up a cadence (maybe quarterly) to review how your SEO+AEO efforts are performing. Are you earning more snippets? Do you see any AI referrals? What new AI search tools are gaining traction (for instance, if Amazon or Apple launch a new AI search, ask how you can optimize for that). Encourage your team to experiment with new formats – maybe a chatbot on your site that can be indexed, or publishing some content in GPT plugin directories if that becomes a thing. The idea is to stay agile and not assume what worked last year will work next year. We’re truly in a phase of continuous discovery in marketing.
Finally, don’t panic with the hype. Yes, AI is transforming search, but it’s also expanding opportunities. People will always seek information – our job is just to ensure we’re the ones providing the best information in whatever format they prefer.
Future Signals: Where SEO for GPT Is Headed
Expect the rise of:
- LLM-aware content tools: Already, tools like Surfer AI and Writer.com are experimenting with “LLM summarization compatibility” scores. See the full list here.
- Citation tracking platforms: Companies like GPTZero are building tools that identify if your content has been used by AI models. We always recommend going below 25%. AI writing is generic and boring, it will never rank for something long-term.
- AI Mention Reporting in GA4: Several agencies (ours included) are prototyping dashboards that track branded citations within Perplexity or ChatGPT outputs. Read our GEO services proposal
Case Study: SaaS company GEO Success
A U.S.-based B2B SaaS company targeting data engineers had low visibility in AI-driven search and limited traditional organic reach, particularly among technical audiences who rely heavily on LLM tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Brainz Digital implemented a six-month Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategy that included deep content audits, technical enhancements, FAQ and guide creation, schema markup, and accessibility improvements .
The strategy focused on answering the specific, technical questions that data engineers ask, optimizing for both AI overviews and LLM parsing
As a result, the company saw a 326% increase in LLM-driven traffic, averaging 50% monthly growth in AI-organic traffic, achieved through content quality alone, without link-building.
Additionally, they gained improved visibility in Google AI Overviews, better user engagement metrics, and a stronger technical SEO foundation, underscoring the effectiveness of a content-first GEO approach for AI-powered search.
Read the full case study here >>
Conclusion: From Search Engine Optimization to Answer Optimization
The rise of ChatGPT and its AI cousins is not the end of SEO – it’s the next chapter. Search is no longer a straight line from Google to your site; it’s now a web of engines and interfaces. A user might bounce from a Google AI summary, to a Reddit thread, to a ChatGPT follow-up question, and then to a brand’s website all in one research session. To win, brands must position themselves at each key touchpoint with clear, authoritative answers and content.
The upside of this evolution? If you adapt, you can own your niche’s answers. While your competitors are still thinking in terms of blue links, you’ll be capturing customers in the moments that matter – whether that’s on a SERP, in an inbox, through an AI assistant, or any new “answer surface” that emerges.
At Brainz Digital, this is exactly the approach we champion. We’re helping companies blend traditional SEO with AEO and GEO, using real data and expertise from the front lines of search innovation. From schema-marking client content for AI consumption, to rewriting pages in a conversational tone that AI loves, to building multi-platform content campaigns – we’ve embraced the future of search so our clients can reap the benefits. Our philosophy is simple: don’t just chase rankings, aim to be the reference point.
As a CMO or marketing leader, you have an opportunity now to turn these disruptions into a competitive advantage. By updating your playbook and partnering with forward-thinking experts (yes, a little self-promo: like the team at Brainz 😇), you can ensure your brand is not just keeping up, but setting the pace.
The bottom line: SEO isn’t just about being found on Google anymore; it’s about being chosen by any system that’s providing answers. Optimize for answers, wherever they appear, and you’ll position your brand for sustained growth in the era of AI-driven search.
Let’s embrace this new landscape – and make sure your brand is the one that gets heard when the questions are asked. After all, the future of search belongs to those who provide the best answers.
Ready to align your SEO with the AI ecosystem? Brainz Digital is here to help you navigate these changes and come out on top. Let’s build the future of search, together. Book a call today!
