How to Get Featured in AI Responses

As more and more people turn to AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok, or Claude to answer their questions, some sites are seeing a drop in organic traffic as fewer people click through to specific pages in search results. This shift means businesses need new ways to ensure their products or brands find the potential clients or customers they need.

One of the most important lucrative ways of doing this is to get your business or brand featured in AI responses. 

Unlike traditional search engine optimisation (SEO), getting noticed by AI requires a fresh approach called Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). 

We’ve been running some tests on this for a while, and today we’re going to take you through clear, actionable steps to boost your visibility in AI responses, helping your brand or products stand out in this new era of search.

Why AI Responses Matter

AI-powered tools are rapidly changing how people find information. Instead of clicking through pages of search results, users now get quick, conversational answers from AI chatbots or tools like Google’s AI Overviews. 

For example, if someone asks, “What’s the best running shoe for beginners?” an AI might summarise top recommendations and mention specific brands or products. If your brand isn’t included in these answers, you’re going to be missing out on customers and brand awareness.

Recent data shows that AI-driven search is growing fast. A 2025 survey found that 60% of UK adults have used a search page with an AI-generated summary, and the number of people using AI for online searches is expected to jump from 15 million in 2024 to 36 million by 2028. With no adverts currently available in most AI responses, getting your brand mentioned relies on smart strategies, not paid placements. 

Let’s jump right into how you can make that happen.

1. Create High-Quality, Trustworthy Content

Perhaps the most generic answer since you should already be doing this if you want to get anywhere at all with your content – but it’s important enough that it simply can’t be skipped over. AI tools prioritise content that feels authentic, helpful, and credible. To get your brand or products featured, focus on creating content that AI trusts and wants to share.

Actionable Steps:

• Write clear, helpful content. Create blog posts, product descriptions, or guides that directly answer questions your customers might ask. For example, if you sell eco-friendly water bottles, write a post like “Why Stainless Steel Water Bottles Are Better for the Environment” with clear facts and benefits.
• Show expertise. Include insights from experts, customer reviews, or data to back up your claims. AI loves content that demonstrates authority. For instance, a study found that 61% of AI responses about brand reputation come from editorial media like trusted articles or reviews.
• Keep it fresh. Regularly update your website with new content to show it’s active and relevant. AI tools favour up-to-date information, so refresh product pages or blog posts with the latest details.
• Avoid fluff. Don’t stuff your content with repetitive keywords (like repeating “best water bottle” endlessly). Instead, use natural language that answers real questions, like “What makes a water bottle durable?”

Example:

If you run a small coffee shop, publish a blog post titled “How to Choose the Perfect Coffee Beans for Your Morning Brew.” Include tips, flavour profiles, and why your beans are unique. This kind of content is more likely to be picked up by AI when someone asks, “What are the best coffee beans?”

2. Use Structured Data to Help AI Understand Your Content

Structured data is like a roadmap that helps AI tools understand what’s on your website. It’s a simple way to tag your content so AI can quickly grasp details about your products or brand.

Actionable Steps:

• Add schema markup. Use tools like Google’s Schema Markup Generator to add tags to your website. For example, if you sell a gadget, tag it with “Product” schema to highlight its name, price, and reviews. This makes it easier for AI to pull your product into responses.
• Focus on key details. Include specifics like product features, prices, or availability in your structured data. For instance, if you sell running shoes, tag details like “water-resistant” or “best for marathon runners.”
• Test your markup. Use Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure your structured data is set up correctly. If it’s wrong, AI might skip your content.

Example:

For a bakery, add schema markup to your product pages for cakes, tagging details like “chocolate cake,” “serves 8,” and “gluten-free option.” When someone asks an AI, “Where can I find gluten-free cakes nearby?” your bakery has a better chance of being mentioned.

3. Get Mentioned on Trusted Websites

AI tools often pull information from well-known, authoritative websites like news outlets, industry blogs, or review sites. Getting your brand or products mentioned on these platforms can significantly boost your chances of appearing in AI responses.

Actionable Steps:

• Reach out to industry publications. Contact blogs, magazines, or websites in your niche to feature your product. For example, if you sell fitness gear, pitch a story to a fitness blog about how your dumbbells are perfect for home workouts.
• Collaborate with influencers. Work with influencers or reviewers who can talk about your product on their platforms. Their mentions can signal to AI that your brand is trustworthy.
• Get listed in directories. Submit your business to reputable directories like Yelp or industry-specific lists. These mentions add credibility and increase your visibility.
• Monitor your mentions. Use tools like Google Alerts to track where your brand is mentioned online and ensure the information is accurate.

Example:

If you sell skincare products, send samples to a beauty blogger for a review. If their review gets picked up by an AI tool answering “What’s the best moisturiser for dry skin?” your product could be featured.

4. Optimise for Conversational Questions

AI tools are designed to answer questions the way people talk, like “What’s the best laptop for students?” or “Where can I buy sustainable clothing?” To get your brand into these responses, create content that matches these conversational queries.

Actionable Steps:

• Research common questions. Use tools like AnswerThePublic or Google’s “People Also Ask” to find questions your audience is asking. For example, a pet store might find questions like “What’s the healthiest dog food for puppies?”
• Write conversational content. Create FAQ pages or blog posts that directly answer these questions. Use natural phrases like “If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop, here’s why our model stands out.”
• Use strategic text sequences. Include natural, relevant phrases in your content that match how people ask questions. For example, instead of just “dog food,” write “our organic dog food is great for sensitive stomachs.” Avoid overstuffing keywords, as AI can detect unnatural language.
• Test your visibility. Search for your products on AI tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity to see if they appear. If not, tweak your content to better match the questions AI is answering.

Example:

A travel agency could create a page answering “What are the best family-friendly holiday spots in 2025?” with detailed recommendations and mentions of their packages. This increases the chance of AI citing their services.

5. Make Your Website Fast and Mobile-Friendly

AI tools favour websites that load quickly and work well on phones. If your site is slow or hard to use on a smartphone, AI might skip it when pulling information.

Actionable Steps:

• Check your site speed. Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to see how fast your website loads. Aim for a score above 90 on mobile and desktop.
• Optimise for mobile. Ensure your website is easy to navigate on phones. Test it on different devices to confirm buttons, images, and text display correctly.
• Fix technical issues. Use tools like Screaming Frog to find broken links or missing metadata that could hurt your site’s performance.
• Keep it simple. Avoid heavy images or complex designs that slow down your site. Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.

Example:

If you sell handmade jewellery, ensure your online store loads quickly and looks great on mobile. A slow site might mean AI overlooks your products when answering “Where can I buy unique necklaces?”

6. Build a Strong Brand Reputation

AI tools prioritise brands that seem trustworthy and well-regarded. A strong online reputation can make your brand more likely to be mentioned in AI responses.

Actionable Steps:

• Encourage customer reviews. Ask happy customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or your website. Positive reviews signal credibility to AI.
• Manage negative feedback. Respond professionally to negative reviews to show you care about customers. AI may pick up on this as a sign of trustworthiness.
• Engage on social media. Share valuable content on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to build your brand’s authority. AI tools often consider social media presence when evaluating credibility.
• Audit your AI visibility. Use services like Alexander PR’s 360° LLM Reputation Audit to see how your brand appears across AI platforms like ChatGPT or Gemini. This can help you spot and fix gaps.

Example:

A local restaurant could encourage diners to leave Google reviews about their signature dish. If someone asks an AI, “What’s the best Italian restaurant in town?” positive reviews could help the restaurant get mentioned.

7. Leverage Multimedia Content

AI tools are starting to pull information from images, videos, and other media, especially with features like Google’s Circle to Search. Adding multimedia to your strategy can boost your chances of being noticed.

Actionable Steps:

• Create engaging videos. Make short videos showcasing your products, like a tutorial on how to use your kitchen gadget. Post them on YouTube or your website.
• Optimise images. Add descriptive alt text to images on your site, like “handmade leather wallet in brown” for a wallet photo. This helps AI understand your visuals.
• Use infographics. Create simple infographics that summarise key information, like “5 Benefits of Our Organic Dog Treats.” AI may pull these into responses.
• Tag multimedia with schema. Use structured data for videos or images to make them easier for AI to find.

Example:

A fitness brand could post a YouTube video titled “10-Minute Home Workout with Our Resistance Bands.” With proper tags and descriptions, this video could appear in AI answers to “What’s a quick home workout?”

8. Stay Ahead with Regular Monitoring

AI search is always evolving, so you need to keep track of how your brand is performing and adjust your strategy as needed.

Actionable Steps:

• Track AI mentions. Regularly check AI tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity to see if your brand or products appear in relevant queries. Note what’s working and what isn’t.
• Use analytics tools. Tools like HubSpot’s AI Search Grader can show how your brand performs in AI search and suggest improvements.
• Stay updated on AI trends. Follow industry blogs or newsletters to learn about new AI search features or updates.
• Test and tweak. Experiment with different content styles or keywords and see how they affect your AI visibility. For example, try rephrasing product descriptions to match common AI queries.

Example:

A tech startup selling smart home devices could check if their products appear in AI answers to “What’s the best smart thermostat?” If not, they could update their website with a blog post answering that exact question.

9. Incorporate Statistics and Data-Driven Insights

AI systems often prioritise content backed by credible data, as it signals authority and reliability. Including statistics or research findings in your content can make it more likely to be cited by AI tools.

Actionable Steps:

• Use credible sources. Reference studies, surveys, or industry reports in your content. For example, cite a 2025 report showing “75% of consumers prefer eco-friendly products” to support your sustainable brand.
• Create original data. Conduct small surveys or studies related to your niche and publish the findings. For instance, a pet brand could survey customers on “Top 5 Pet Food Preferences in 2025.”
• Visualise data. Use charts or infographics to present statistics clearly, making it easier for AI to parse and cite.

Example:

A sustainable clothing brand could publish a blog post titled “Why 80% of UK Shoppers Choose Sustainable Fashion in 2025,” referencing a recent industry study. This could be picked up by AI for queries like “What’s the best sustainable clothing brand?”

10. Optimise for Local Search

If your business serves a specific region, optimising for local AI search is crucial, as AI tools often provide location-specific answers.

Actionable Steps:

• Claim your Google Business Profile. Ensure your profile is complete with accurate details like address, hours, and services. This helps AI recommend your business for local queries.
• Use local keywords. Include location-specific phrases in your content, like “best coffee shop in Manchester” or “London eco-friendly products.”
• Encourage local reviews. Ask customers to mention your location in reviews, as AI tools often rely on this for local recommendations.

Example:

A Manchester-based florist could optimise their site with phrases like “fresh flowers in Manchester” and claim their Google Business Profile. When someone asks, “Where can I buy flowers in Manchester?” AI is more likely to mention them.

11. Focus on User Intent and Semantic Search

AI tools are adept at understanding user intent and context. To align with this, your content must address the “why” behind user queries, not just the “what.”

Actionable Steps:

• Analyse intent. Identify whether users are seeking information, solutions, or purchases. For example, “best laptop for students” implies a buying intent, so highlight product benefits and purchase options.
• Use LSI keywords. Incorporate related terms like “durable laptop,” “student-friendly tech,” or “budget laptops” to align with semantic search.
• Answer the full query. Create content that fully addresses the user’s question, including related subtopics. For example, a post on “best laptops” could also cover battery life, portability, and price ranges.

Example:

A tech retailer could write a blog post titled “Best Laptops for UK Students in 2025: Budget, Performance, and Portability,” addressing multiple aspects of the query to increase AI pickup.

Putting It All Together

Getting your products or brand into AI responses isn’t about gaming the system—it’s about being helpful, trustworthy, and easy for AI to find. By creating high-quality content, using structured data, building a strong reputation, leveraging multimedia, incorporating data, optimising for local and semantic search, and staying adaptable, you can increase your chances of being featured in AI answers. Start with one or two steps, like adding schema markup or writing a conversational blog post, and build from there.

As AI search continues to grow, businesses that act now will have a head start. Don’t let your brand get lost in the shift away from traditional search engines. Follow these steps, monitor your progress, and watch your visibility soar in the AI-driven world.