Guide · AI search
AI search optimization: how to show up in ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and Gemini
AI search optimization is making your business show up in AI-powered search: ChatGPT search, Google AI Mode and AI Overviews, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude. Each one searches the web before it answers and names a handful of businesses. The basics are the same everywhere – let their crawlers in, be mentioned on the pages they cite, answer questions directly on your own pages – but each platform has its own index and crawlers, so it pays to check them one by one.
In short
- Every AI search platform reads the web; a blocked crawler means no citations.
- Google's AI features use Google's own index; ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude use their own crawlers.
- Being named on the pages they cite – comparisons, reviews, guides – matters as much as your own site.
- Track each platform separately: they answer the same question differently.
Updated · AIvisible
Platform by platform
| Platform | Where the answers come from | Crawlers to allow |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT search | OpenAI's search, which fetches and cites web pages | OAI-SearchBot; ChatGPT-User for pages users ask about |
| Google AI Mode and AI Overviews | Google's search index | Googlebot, the normal Google crawler |
| Gemini | Google Search and what the model has learned | Googlebot; Google-Extended controls use in Gemini's training and grounding |
| Perplexity | Its own index and live web search | PerplexityBot; Perplexity-User for user requests |
| Claude | Web search, when it's turned on | Claude-SearchBot; Claude-User for user requests |
Check your robots.txt against this list. A common mistake is a blanket block of “AI bots” that also stops the crawlers that put you in search answers. Blocking Google-Extended doesn't remove you from Google Search or AI Mode; Google says there are no extra requirements to appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode.
What works across all of them
Let the crawlers in
Allow the search crawlers above in robots.txt, and check that your firewall or CDN doesn't block them: some block AI crawlers by default.
Be on the pages they cite
Comparison sites, reviews, tests and guides that the AIs link to when they name your competitors.
Answer questions directly
Pages with the answer first, concrete facts and a short FAQ – see answer engine optimization.
Keep your facts consistent
Prices, range and contact details that agree across your site, listings and profiles, so the AI doesn't repeat outdated information.
Use structured data
Organization, Product and FAQPage markup that says who you are and what you sell.
See how often AI names you
A free AI check for everyone. We open the full measurement one company at a time.
Measure per platform
ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode often name different businesses for the same question. AIvisible asks your customers' prompts on ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode, several times each with live web search, and shows your share of the answers per AI, per topic and over time. Plans from €9 a month, with every AI included.
Sources: Google Search Central: AI features and your website · OpenAI: Overview of OpenAI crawlers
Questions and answers
Is AI search optimization the same as SEO?
It builds on SEO – Google's AI features use Google's index, and the other AIs often cite pages that rank well – but adds being named in the answer, crawler access for each AI, and pages written to be quoted.
Should I block AI crawlers?
Blocking the training crawlers (GPTBot, ClaudeBot) is a business decision. Blocking the search crawlers (OAI-SearchBot, Claude-SearchBot, PerplexityBot) keeps you out of those AIs' search answers. Google-Extended keeps your content out of Gemini's training and grounding, but not out of Google Search or AI Mode.
Which AI search platform matters most?
The ones your customers use. ChatGPT is the most used AI assistant, and Google's AI answers reach people who simply search Google – which is why AIvisible includes ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Mode in every plan.