How to Optimize for Google AIO and ChatGPT

AI is rewriting the rules of search—and it’s happening faster than most marketers realize. Traditional SEO, built around Google’s blue links, is being reshaped by AI-powered answers, such as Google’s AI Overviews (AIO), ChatGPT, and Bing Copilot. Recent research reveals that these platforms often recommend different brands for the same query—exposing a major opportunity for businesses to boost visibility across multiple AI ecosystems. In this guide, we unpack what this AI divergence means, why consistency in brand mentions now fuels discoverability, and how marketers can future-proof their SEO for the AI-first era.

Recent research from BrightEdge, highlighted by Search Engine Journal, shows that the way brands are mentioned across AI-driven platforms is far from consistent. If you’ve ever wondered why ChatGPT might recommend one brand while Google AIO suggests another, you’re not imagining things. The findings highlight significant opportunities (and challenges) for marketers to consider in terms of visibility in the AI-first era.

AI Disagrees on Brands—That’s Your Opportunity

One of the most eye-opening findings is just how much these platforms disagree with each other. BrightEdge discovered that nearly 62% of the time, Google AIO, ChatGPT, and Google’s AI Mode all offered different brand recommendations for the same query.

That means if someone asks, “What’s the best running shoe?” they might see Nike in one tool, Asics in another, and New Balance somewhere else. From a brand’s perspective, that might feel frustrating. However, here’s the silver lining: it creates multiple opportunities. If your brand doesn’t appear in one AI platform, you might still break through on another.

👉 Takeaway: AI fragmentation isn’t a bug—it’s a feature. Each platform offers a fresh entry point for brand visibility.

Why the Disagreement? Context, Not Just Authority

Traditional SEO focused on backlinks and domain authority. But AI platforms prioritize citation frequency, contextual relevance, and how your brand appears in content—especially in training data and trusted ecosystems.

• Google AIO lists ~6 brands per query. Quantity helps.
• ChatGPT tends to surface <3. Quality and relevance dominate.
• Google AI Mode validates with citations and location-based logic.

For marketers, the takeaway is simple: your brand needs to be frequently cited, contextually relevant, and present across multiple content ecosystems. It’s less about chasing one platform and more about creating a network effect of mentions.

The Citation Network Effect: One Mention, Many Ripples

The research introduces a powerful concept known as the citation network effect. Imagine this chain reaction:

1. ChatGPT mentions your brand because it has been trained on web content.
2. That brand visibility feeds into Google AIO, which amplifies coverage by listing several players.
3. Over time, those mentions reinforce credibility, leading to selective recognition in Google AI Mode.

👉 Takeaway: The more high-quality touchpoints you create, the stronger your AI visibility loop becomes.

SEO Isn't Dead—It's the New Infrastructure

It’s tempting to think that AI optimization means throwing out old SEO playbooks. But in reality, traditional SEO is the backbone of AI visibility. Structured content, fast-loading mobile pages, and strong E-E-A-T signals (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) are still table stakes.

Research shows:

• Pages cited in AI Overviews must already be indexed by Google.
• AI Overviews often trigger non-branded, informational queries—so optimize accordingly.

👉 Takeaway: Your SEO foundation powers your AI presence. Ignore it, and you risk vanishing from all search layers.

What Marketers Should Do Next

So, how do you optimize for Google AIO and ChatGPT today? Here are three practical, human-centered steps:

1. Expand Your Content Footprint
   • Publish across formats: blogs, FAQs, how-to guides, and thought leadership.
   • Target both branded and non-branded keywords—AI rewards depth in topics.
2. Strengthen Topic + Brand Associations
   • Tie your brand to strategic themes in your niche.
   • Example: An eco-friendly shoe company must dominate both sustainability and footwear conversations.
3. Measure AI Visibility, Not Just Traffic
   • Track brand mentions in AIO, ChatGPT, and other LLMs.
   • Focus KPIs on impressions, citations, and conversion-ready traffic—not just raw clicks.

Final Thoughts

The rise of AI-driven answers is not the end of SEO — it’s the evolution of it. Yes, Google AIO and ChatGPT might disagree on which brands to recommend, but that just means there’s more room for smart marketers to compete.

By focusing on strong SEO fundamentals, building brand mentions across the web, and embracing the new dynamics of AI platforms, you can make sure your brand is part of the conversation — no matter which tool people are using.

The digital landscape is shifting rapidly, but one thing hasn’t changed: visibility goes to the brands that consistently show up authentically and in the right context.

We specialize in helping businesses navigate this new world of AI-driven search. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, our team ensures you stay visible across Google, ChatGPT, and other AI platforms — while building a strong SEO foundation.

If you’re searching for a trusted Digital Marketing Company, iSigma Solutions and WSI are here to help. Let’s connect and design a strategy that makes your brand shine in both search and AI.