How to Optimise Your Business for AI Search
That's the short version. Here's how it actually works step by step.
1. Run an AI visibility audit first
Before changing anything, find out where you currently stand. Run your business through an AI visibility tracker across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity to see your baseline score, share of voice, and which prompts you already appear in, or don't.
2. Build FAQ content with schema markup on key pages
AI platforms pull heavily from structured FAQ content. Write FAQ blocks that answer the actual questions people ask about your sector, and mark them up with FAQPage JSON-LD so AI tools can read them as structured data, not just plain text.
3. Add a full Organisation schema
Give AI platforms one reliable source of truth about who you are: business name, location, services, founding date, and social profiles, all in a single Organisation schema block. This is what AI cross-references when deciding whether to trust and cite you.
4. Write content that directly answers high-intent questions
Blog posts, service pages, and FAQ pages should all be structured for AI readability: clear questions, direct answers, and a citable format. Avoid long, hedge-everything paragraphs that bury the actual answer several sentences in.
5. Build citations across directories AI platforms reference
AI models cross-reference multiple sources to judge credibility. Get listed and kept consistent across the directories and platforms that AI tools treat as authoritative, since gaps and inconsistencies between sources weaken how confidently AI cites you.
6. Recheck visibility and refine
Set a baseline on day one and recheck around 30 days later. Track how your AI visibility score, share of voice, and mention count have moved, then adjust whichever step is underperforming rather than starting over from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to choose between GEO and SEO?
No. They share foundations like structured content and schema, and work better together. A site well optimised for Google tends to be better positioned for AI visibility too.
How quickly can AI visibility change?
Faster than traditional SEO in many cases. Structured content and schema changes can shift visibility within weeks, though a full 30-day recheck gives a more reliable read.
Can a small business realistically compete for AI visibility?
Yes. GEO is still early, so the businesses building structured, citable content and clean schema now have a real first-mover advantage over competitors who haven't started.
Last updated: June 2026.
Want to know exactly where your business stands in AI search right now? Book a free GEO audit and we'll show you your visibility score and what to fix first. See our GEO services →
