AI search optimisation (AIO): how to get recommended by Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT

More and more buyers now ask an AI before they search. Instead of ten blue links, they get one written answer, often naming two or three businesses. If your company is not in that answer, you may never be considered.

AI search optimisation (AIO), also called generative engine optimisation (GEO), is about making sure AI answer engines such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity can understand your business and are comfortable recommending it.

How AI answer engines pick businesses

AI systems do not "rank" pages the way classic search does. Broadly, they:

1. find pages relevant to the question, often through a search index;
2. read them and extract facts they can state with confidence;
3. cross-check those facts against other sources;
4. write an answer, sometimes citing the sources they used.

So the goal is simple to state: be easy to find, easy to read, and consistent everywhere.

The AIO checklist

1. Answer real questions, plainly

Write the questions your buyers actually ask, as headings, and answer each in the first sentence or two, with specifics: who you serve, where, what it costs, how long it takes.

Weak: "We deliver world-class solutions." Strong: "Our website packages cost ₹19,999 to ₹69,999 and go live in 2 to 3 weeks."

AI systems quote clear, factual sentences. They skip slogans.

2. Add structured data (schema)

Schema markup tells machines exactly what each fact is. For most businesses the important types are:

• Organization / LocalBusiness: name, address, phone, areas served, social profiles;
• Product or Service with offers and prices;
• FAQPage for question-and-answer content;
• Article for guides like this one.

3. Keep business details identical everywhere

Your name, address and phone number should be exactly the same on your website, Google Business Profile, IndiaMART, LinkedIn, Justdial and other directories. Inconsistent details make AI systems unsure which facts are right.

4. Make the site fast and readable without tricks

Content hidden behind tabs that need clicks, text inside images, and very slow pages are harder for crawlers to read. Keep important facts in plain HTML text, and keep pages fast on mobile.

5. Publish an llms.txt summary

An llms.txt file is a short, plain-text summary of your business at the root of your site (for example yoursite.com/llms.txt), listing what you do, where, prices and key pages. It is an emerging convention, not a standard every AI system uses yet, but it is cheap to add and helps tools that do read it.

6. Build reputation outside your site

AI systems trust businesses that others talk about: reviews on Google, mentions in industry directories and publications, case studies with named clients, and an active LinkedIn presence.

7. Write guides, not just service pages

Helpful guides that answer detailed questions in your field, like the one you are reading, give AI systems more reasons to cite you, and show buyers you know the subject.

How to measure progress

• Ask the questions your buyers ask in ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google, and note whether you appear.
• Watch Google Search Console for impressions on question-style searches.
• Track enquiries that mention AI tools as the source ("I found you through ChatGPT").

Need help?

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