Boost AI Search Rankings
Summary of Key Findings
The research found a strong correlation (0.67) between the number of times a brand is mentioned across the web and how often it appears in AI Overviews and AI search conversations. This signals a fundamental shift in how brands must approach digital visibility.
Mentions are the New Backlinks (Citations are the New Backlinks): AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) rely on understanding the context of a brand based on where it appears in their training data and across the live web. A mention, even without a hyperlink, carries significant weight as a signal of trust and authority.
The Goal is AI Visibility: Off-page SEO activity should now be focused on being mentioned by authoritative websites within the correct topical context. The focus is less on the technical value of the link and more on shaping the narrative of what your brand is about.
Where to Get Cited:
Authoritative Industry Websites: Appearing on sites that are frequently cited by AI search in your niche.
User-Generated Content (UGC) Sites: Getting authentic mentions on platforms like Reddit and Quora.
Review Sites and Video Transcripts: Mentions on review platforms and within YouTube video transcripts are highly valuable, as AI frequently cites YouTube content.
Actionable Strategy: Marketers should use tools (like Ahrefs' Brand Radar) to identify the domains most commonly cited by AI search in their industry and actively pursue opportunities to be mentioned on those sites. The goal is to build an unassailable digital reputation that AI systems trust and recommend.
Ahrefs' Brand Radar data shows that brand mentions are important for being cited in AI search and are the new off-page SEO.