How To Optimize Your Content To Rank In AI Search
If you're using AI tools to answer questions, edit emails, or generate ideas, chances are your customers are doing the same. In fact, many people now interact with AI without even realizing it, simply by typing a question into Google and scanning the AI-generated overview at the top of the results.
According to a recent study by Semrush, engagement with AI-powered search is expected to rise sharply as users become more familiar with the technology. Traditional search results are already taking a backseat. ChatGPT’s weekly active users grew eightfold between October 2023 and April 2025, surpassing 800 million. Meanwhile, Google has officially rolled out AI Mode. It offers a conversational, ChatGPT-style experience that often replaces the standard list of links entirely.
Now, imagine your ideal customer goes to ChatGPT or Google and searches, “What are the top companies for X?” They rely on that list to choose a service provider, but your company isn’t on it. Or worse, it is listed, but the summary misrepresents what you actually offer or how you want to be known.
At Eiro37, we saw this firsthand. While researching one of our new clients, we asked ChatGPT to list the top companies in their industry and city. To our surprise, they weren’t mentioned at all.
So, how can your team increase your company’s visibility in AI-generated rankings? While AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is still emerging, and AI tools are evolving in how they gather and rank content, you can start strengthening your company’s online presence now.
AI pulls from a wide variety of resources: trusted publishers, reviews, forums, data graphs, and social mentions. The key is to make your brand discoverable and trustworthy wherever AI models “look” for answers. Here’s where Eiro37 recommends your team begin:
Prioritize Publishing Content On Indexed Social Media Channels
If you’re not already publishing content that answers your customers’ questions on channels indexed by search engines, such as LinkedIn, YouTube, or Reddit, it’s time to start. These platforms are among the most consistently crawled by Google, which means your posts have a much higher chance of being surfaced inside AI answers.
You’ve probably heard this before, but here’s a quick reminder: publishing on these platforms helps position your company as a trusted resource across the digital landscape.
Remember, AI tools prioritize clear, focused answers over keyword-stuffed content, an approach many companies have used since the rise of SEO. Instead, focus on creating high-quality content that truly serves your customers.
Encourage your team to ask: “Is this valuable to our customers? Does it help them reach their goals? How can we present this information in a fresh, helpful way, perhaps with a graph or other visuals?” Prioritize social media channels that appear in Google search results, and focus on answering your ideal customers’ questions to solve their pain points. Don’t just showcase how awesome you are. Always put your customer first and provide genuine value.
From the most popular social networks worldwide, identified by Statista as of February 2025 based on monthly activity, here are the ones that are indexed by Google:
Invest In Public Relations And Collaboration
Imagine your executive featured in a Wall Street Journal roundup discussing a timely industry topic, and your company mentioned by name. Now imagine that happening regularly, with your team cited across several credible outlets in your field.
How could AI not begin to view your brand as a credible source?
This kind of exposure doesn’t just boost brand credibility. It also helps AI tools recognize your company as an authority. Start by identifying top media outlets and thought leaders you’d like to collaborate with, then pitch your executives to contribute to timely conversations.
Action steps to make this more concrete:
- Build a list of 10–15 industry publications most read by your target audience.
- Use tools like Muck Rack or HARO to find active journalist requests you can respond to.
- Encourage your leaders to co-author articles with peers or appear on podcasts, since audio transcripts are also being indexed.
- Track earned mentions monthly and repurpose them on your website and LinkedIn to strengthen your authority signals.
Adapted from guidance by Muck Rack.
Aggressively Monitor Online Reviews
We all know Google ratings matter, but now that users can ask AI tools for “the highest-rated company for [service/ product],” keeping your reviews buttoned up is more important than ever.
Start by identifying where customers are leaving reviews. Respond to concerns promptly and encourage satisfied clients to leave public, positive feedback.
Pro tip: don’t just focus on Google Business Profile. AI engines also crawl Trustpilot, G2, Yelp, and even niche review sites in your industry. Consistency across these platforms reduces the risk of AI surfacing an outdated or inaccurate perception of your brand.
These aren’t just “best practices” anymore. Inconsistent content, a lack of PR, or poor review management can now directly cause your company to be skipped over in AI-generated search results. To avoid this, set up a monthly review-audit checklist and assign a team member to own follow-ups. Begin taking small steps to create systems that would allow each of these initiatives easier to manage and watch your overall brand positioning improve over time.
If you’re interested in growing your team, let’s make your brand impossible to overlook. Book a 15-minute intro call with Eiro37 and start building a presence that gets noticed by investors, media, and your next customer.