Introduction

AI search gives one answer, not ten links. This article explains how to track if your brand shows up, gets trusted, and is described well.

What's the problem it solves?

Old SEO metrics do not work in AI search. There are no clicks, no clear paths, and no clean attribution. Brands need new ways to measure if AI tools even mention them, trust them, or hurt their image.

Quick Summary

AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews often answer questions without sending users to websites. This breaks classic metrics like rankings, traffic, and last-click attribution. You may influence buyers without ever seeing a click.

The article explains that GEO works more like brand marketing or PR, not performance ads. You cannot tie it cleanly to revenue, but ignoring it means competitors control the AI answers buyers trust.

To solve this, the article introduces three measurement pillars: visibility, citations, and sentiment. Together, they show if AI sees you, trusts you, and talks about you in a good way. These signals can be tracked today with the right tools or even manual checks.

Key Takeaways

• AI search is mostly zero-click, so old SEO metrics fail
• GEO should be treated like brand and reputation building
• Visibility shows if AI mentions you at all
• Citations show if AI trusts you enough to reference sources
• Sentiment shows if AI helps or hurts your brand
• You can measure GEO today with tools or manual audits
• Consistent tracking matters more than perfect attribution

What to do

• Define 15 to 20 real questions buyers ask AI about your category
• Check if your brand appears in AI answers and in what position
• Track which sources AI cites when mentioning you
• Watch for negative language or wrong facts about your brand
• Fix gaps with better content, reviews, PR, and comparisons
• Review results weekly, monthly, and quarterly
• Treat GEO as long-term infrastructure, not a quick win

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