AI SEO: Rank in Perplexity, ChatGPT & Gemini [2025 Guide]

AI Search is Changing the Game—Is Your Business Ready?

AI-powered search engines like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini are reshaping online visibility. Unlike Google, they don’t just rank websites—they curate trusted sources. If your business isn’t optimised for AI search, you could be invisible in the next wave of digital discovery.

💡 Download our guide: How AI Search Engines Choose Their Sources

Let’s break down how these search engines work and, more importantly, what you can do to ensure your business stands out in AI SEO and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO).

Executive Summary: AI SEO in 2025

• Perplexity favours trusted, up-to-date, multi-format content (text + video) and often cites academic or niche sources.
• ChatGPT (GPT-5) now uses “rerank” configuration flags, meaning optimisation can target explicit ranking factors. Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) are essential.
• Gemini combines traditional SEO with strict fact-checking. Schema, structured data, and well-cited claims are critical.
• Cross-engine best practices:
  • Authoritative, expert-driven content
  • Structured formatting with schema and FAQs
  • Freshness and regular updates
  • Multi-format content (articles, video, infographics)
  • Brand mentions and authority signals

👉 Bottom line: In 2025, ranking in AI search isn’t just about keywords — it’s about becoming a trusted source cited inside AI answers.

How AI Search Engines Select Their Sources

Perplexity AI

Perplexity doesn’t index the entire web like Google. Instead, it carefully selects sources that meet its high standards for trustworthiness, recency, and relevance. Beyond these visible factors, Perplexity also applies AI-driven ranking mechanisms that can dramatically affect which pages are surfaced.

Core Signals

1. Trustworthiness – Favours reputable, curated domains rather than a vast index.
2. Recency – Prioritises fresh updates, especially for fast-moving topics.
3. Relevance – Uses NLP to understand intent and context behind queries.
4. Authority – Rewards niche expertise and consistency in publishing.
5. Multi-format content – Prefers articles with embedded videos (especially YouTube).
6. Academic & specialised sources – For Pro Search queries, often surfaces peer-reviewed or industry resources.
7. Real-time web sourcing – Pulls live data for time-sensitive queries.
8. User-centric approach – Focuses on refining results through specific question answering, not sponsored links.

Advanced Signals

• Structured content with clear headings, bullet points, schema.
• Direct, concise answers to questions.
• Contextual depth (not just surface coverage).
• Citing multiple trusted sources.
• User engagement proxies (shares, references, mentions).

👉 2025 Insight: Perplexity is doubling down on multi-format content. Shorter articles paired with embedded videos consistently gain more visibility.

ChatGPT

When performing a web search, ChatGPT (GPT-5) ranks results using both traditional trust signals and new AI-driven factors.

Core Signals

1. Relevance to the query – Based on intent and semantic matching, not just keywords.
2. Credibility of the source – Prioritises academic, government, and established publishers.
3. Freshness of information – Favours up-to-date content.
4. User engagement & popularity – Widely cited and referenced sites are elevated.
5. Content quality – Fact-checked, well-written, and in-depth articles win.
6. Lack of bias & misinformation – Avoids unreliable or extreme sources.
7. Diversity of sources – Surfaces multiple perspectives, not single voices.

🔎 2025 Update: How GPT-5 Really Ranks Results
Recent analysis (via Metehan.ai) revealed that ChatGPT-5’s search configuration includes “rerank” flags visible in developer tools.

This means:

• Ranking is partly controlled by explicit configuration parameters.
• Trust, recency, and authority are weighted in a transparent, tunable way.
• Optimisation can align more closely with how GPT-5 is technically configured.

This is the clearest evidence yet that AI search ranking isn’t just a black box—it’s partly rule-driven.

Where GEO and AEO Fit In

• AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation): Make your content extractable as concise answers.
• GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation): Ensure your content gets cited inside AI-generated answers.

Together, these strategies move you beyond “being found” to “being referenced.”

Looking Ahead: G-SEO
New research into Role-Augmented Intent-Driven G-SEO suggests tailoring content for multiple intent roles so it surfaces across more AI-driven contexts. While still emerging, it’s the next step for businesses serious about AI visibility.

Gemini

Gemini combines traditional Google-style ranking with advanced AI reasoning. It’s not just about relevance—it’s about trust and usefulness.

Traditional Signals

1. Relevance to the query – Semantic understanding beyond keyword matching.
2. Authority & trustworthiness – Reputation, backlinks, and author expertise.
3. Content quality – Comprehensive, original, and well-written.
4. User experience (UX) – Mobile-friendly, fast, and easy to navigate.

AI-Specific Signals

1. Data Source Quality – Pages that align with Gemini’s high-quality training data are prioritised.
2. Contextual Understanding – Goes beyond keywords to match nuanced queries.
3. Summarisation & synthesis – Prefers content that contributes clear, verifiable facts to summarised answers.
4. Fact-checking & verification – Cross-references claims against multiple trusted sources.
5. Prompt sensitivity – Pages must address how users phrase questions, not just the topic itself.

👉 2025 Insight: Gemini’s fact-checking is stricter than Google Search. If your page makes a claim, it should be backed by citations that Gemini can verify.

How Can Your Business Get Featured in AI Search Results?

As AI SEO optimisation becomes increasingly crucial for visibility on platforms such as Perplexity, ChatGPT and Gemini, businesses must adapt their strategies to align with AI‑driven ranking factors.

These factors prioritise content quality, trustworthiness, contextual relevance and multi‑format content over traditional SEO metrics. Measurement now extends beyond conventional keyword tracking to include monitoring mentions in AI‑generated answers, involving the analysis of LLM content and prompts with tools such as SE Ranking, which should integrate standard SEO functions with specialised AI search tracking.

Here’s how your business can optimise for AI-driven search results:

1. Establish Unquestionable Authority in Your Niche

• Publish Expert-Driven Content: AI favours businesses that demonstrate clear expertise in their industry. Regularly publish high-quality, niche-specific content with insights from qualified professionals.
• Cite Reliable Sources: Reference authoritative data sources to enhance credibility.
• Leverage Thought Leadership: Engage in guest posts, webinars, and collaborations with industry experts.
• Invest in Ethical Link Building: Secure backlinks from reputable sources while avoiding black-hat SEO tactics.
• Work on Domain Authority & Author Expertise: Build a strong online reputation through trusted backlinks and recognised authorship.

Read also: Building Trust Online: Key Strategies for Professional Service Providers

2. Prioritise Comprehensive, AI-Friendly Content

• Optimise for Answer-Based Queries: AI search engines prioritise content that provides direct, concise, and clear answers to user questions.
• Structure Content for AI Readability: Use headings, bullet points, and structured formatting to improve AI comprehension.
• Incorporate Multi-Format Content: AI search engines, including Gemini and Perplexity, favour articles with embedded videos, infographics, and images—particularly shorter articles with YouTube videos.
• Maintain a Regular Content Update Cycle: AI prioritises fresh content, so update your website frequently, especially if your business covers news, technology, or events.
• Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: High-quality, well-researched content will always outperform keyword-stuffed or low-value articles.

Read also: Free AI SEO Tools: The Ultimate Guide for 2025

3. Implement Technical SEO and AI-Specific Optimisation

• Use Schema Markup: Structured data helps AI better understand and rank your content.
• Improve Site Speed & Mobile Optimisation: A fast, mobile-friendly, and easy-to-navigate website is crucial for AI search rankings and user experience.
• Optimise for Featured Snippets & AI Summaries: AI search engines, including ChatGPT and Gemini, favour clear, structured answers with key takeaways.
• Ensure Content is Fact-Checked & Verified: AI models penalise misinformation, so verify all facts before publishing.

Read also: Technical SEO Optimisation: A Complete Guide for Small Businesses

4. Engage in Proactive AI Search Marketing

• Develop AI-Optimised PR Strategies: AI-driven search engines consider press releases and media coverage—get featured in high-authority publications.
• Encourage Brand Mentions in Trusted Sources: Even without direct links, brand mentions in reputable publications signal authority.
• Create and Distribute AI-Optimised PR: Ensure your press releases and media content are structured for AI search engines.
• Monitor & Adapt to AI Algorithm Changes: Stay updated on AI search trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Read also: AI Marketing Tools: 8 Strategies for Professional Services Businesses

5. Enhance User Experience & Engagement Metrics

• Create a Seamless User Journey: A well-structured, easy-to-navigate website with clear CTAs improves engagement and reduces bounce rates.
• Boost On-Page Engagement: AI recognises time spent on pages, interaction rates, and engagement signals—make content interactive and valuable.
• Avoid Clickbait & Misleading Content: AI search engines evaluate content authenticity—misleading titles or low-quality content can negatively impact visibility.

Read also: How User Experience Affects SEO

The Bottom Line

AI search engines are transforming how businesses gain online visibility. If you’re still relying solely on traditional SEO stra, you’re already behind.

By focusing on authority, high-quality content, and AI SEO strategies, your business can stay ahead in the AI-driven search revolution.

Want to Dominate AI-Driven Search Results?

The future of search is here—are you ready to adapt and stay ahead? Start implementing these strategies today and position your business as a trusted source inside AI itself.

At Agile, we specialise in helping businesses like yours navigate the evolving AI search landscape with data-driven strategies that deliver real results. Let’s future-proof your digital presence—get in touch today for a FREE consultation!