In the rapidly shifting world of AI search, where traditional rankings are disappearing, measuring visibility has become more challenging, and more essential. As someone who has navigated the complex waters of entrepreneurship and tech over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how adapting to change defines success. And with AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT and Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience) reshaping how information is presented, knowing where your content stands is not just important, it’s survival.
Instead of relying on classic ranking metrics, which are now less relevant, it’s time to embrace a new way of thinking. Companies and freelancers alike are asking the same question: how do we track what doesn’t rank? Let’s dig into the steps and mistakes to avoid when measuring your impact in this new reality.
Where Classic Metrics Fall Short
Previously, SEO revolved around tracking your website’s keyword rankings on page one of Google. If you weren’t there, you optimized until you got closer. With new AI tools delivering single, synthesized answers instead of links, visibility becomes less about position and more about presence in generative responses. Your website might be quoted or used as a source, but without classic rankings, tracking this becomes tricky.
Recent statistics reveal that 57% of AI-generated overviews in search results only mention around 6-8 sources, comprising a mix of authority and novelty. This means it’s not just about being "the best" source but about being the right fit for a specific query.
Here is where it gets even more complicated: AI responses often don’t include clickable links, leaving you to question if your page is even being used. Monitoring your visibility in such cases requires different tools and tactics.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tracking AI Search Visibility
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Set Clear Goals
Define what visibility means to you. Is it being cited as an authoritative source, mentioned in summary answers, or generating traffic from voice search and AI-based tools? When you clarify the goal, it’s easier to narrow your focus. -
Use AI-Specific Tracking Platforms
Tools like Qforia and Relevance Doctor are designed to analyze AI-driven responses. For Google’s AI overviews, they track mentions of your content in summaries and extract insights from how AI interprets your data.Pro tip: Combine data from tools like traditional Google Search Console with newer, AI-focused solutions for a fuller picture.
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Expand Beyond Websites
AI algorithms seek authoritative sources but also diversity. If your strategy only relies on blog posts or landing pages, it’s time to look at whitepapers, data visualizations, and even conversational mediums like podcasts. -
Prioritize Quality Over Volume
AI tools favor concise, accurate, and well-sourced content. Focus on presenting statistical insights, actionable research, and straightforward answers. -
Run Test Searches
Ask queries to ChatGPT, Bard, or Bing AI that align with your expertise. See what answers come up and identify patterns in the type of sources shown. Are there industry publications referenced more often than others? What content format do they prefer?
Mistakes You Should Avoid
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Over-Optimizing with Keywords
AI search rewards relevance and clarity, not keyword stuffing. If your content feels robotic or overly targeted toward SEO trends, you’ll lose trust, both from users and algorithms. -
Ignoring Digital PR
AI heavily weights authoritative mentions (e.g., from universities, respected news sites, or research bodies). If you’re not actively pursuing PR strategies to get these mentions, you could be passively falling behind. -
Neglecting Updates
AI rewards up-to-date information. If you neglect your content for months or years, it’s unlikely AI models will use or surface it during queries. -
Underestimating Internal Linking
Building strong internal links on your website helps signal contextual relevance across your pages. While this might feel "old school," it matters when algorithms assess overall topical authority. -
Relying Solely on AI Predictions
AI can only analyze patterns. It doesn’t replace the nuance of human insight. Use AI-generated suggestions as a starting point, but refine them yourself.
A Fresh Framework for Visibility Measurement
Moving forward, consider setting up a dual measurement system:
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Direct Visibility Metrics:
Use tools like Mention and SEMRush’s Visibility Reports that scan content citations across platforms, including mentions within AI responses. -
Engagement and Behavioral Signals:
AI evaluates user engagement as a soft indicator for quality. If users spend more time on your site after clicking, this reinforces the idea that your content was relevant. Track bounce rates and time-on-page metrics to assess. -
Entity Optimization:
AI doesn’t just scrape pages, it understands connections. Make sure your name, brand, or business is easily associated with specific queries using structured data and natural language references.
Conclusion
The disappearance of traditional rankings signals a transformative shift, but it’s not the end of SEO, it’s just a call to innovate. If you’re not actively exploring how AI search integrates your content into its responses, you’re playing a guessing game with your visibility. By adopting tools and adapting strategies to this new era, you can remain relevant and continue to capture audience attention.
The question is no longer whether these changes are happening. The question is how quickly you’re ready to change along with them.
For a broader understanding of measuring visibility in AI-driven search, learn directly from Heather Campbell's insights by visiting the detailed recap at Search Engine Journal. Think of it as your next step into shaping a better-informed strategy.
FAQ on Measuring Visibility in AI Search
1. Why is traditional SEO ranking less relevant in AI-driven search?
Traditional rankings are becoming less meaningful because AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI deliver synthesized answers instead of ranked lists, changing how visibility is tracked. Read more about this shift on Search Engine Journal
2. How can businesses adapt their visibility strategies to AI-driven search?
Businesses need to focus on tools and metrics like intent mapping, statistical rigor, and monitoring AI-generated summaries where their content is cited. Explore how to adapt on Search Engine Journal
3. Are there tools available for tracking AI search visibility?
Yes, tools such as Qforia and Relevance Doctor are emerging to track mentions and analyze content in AI-generated responses. Learn more about using AI-specific tools
4. What content strategy works best for AI-driven search engines?
Creating high-quality, concise, and authoritative content with clear statistical insights and actionable takeaways is crucial for AI visibility. Learn about effective AI-focused content strategies
5. How does AI search select content for its responses?
AI algorithms prioritize authoritative, clear, and diverse sources. Mentions from respected platforms like universities and research bodies carry significant weight. See how AI selects sources
6. How can businesses test where their content appears in AI search results?
Conduct test searches on platforms like ChatGPT or Google Bard using queries related to your expertise to analyze the type of sources and formats AI prefers. Learn how to run test searches effectively
7. What mistakes should businesses avoid when adapting to AI-based search?
Avoid keyword overstuffing, neglecting authoritative mentions through digital PR, and relying solely on outdated SEO strategies. Explore common mistakes to avoid
8. How important are internal links in the AI search era?
Internal linking helps establish topical relevance across your website, which can improve your content’s credibility and visibility in AI-driven responses. Understand the importance of internal linking
9. Is AI likely to replace human insights in content strategy?
No, while AI tools provide valuable insights and suggestions, human expertise and nuanced decision-making remain essential. Explore the balance between AI and human insights
10. How can businesses measure user engagement as part of their visibility strategy?
Track metrics like bounce rates, time on page, and user behavior, as these are soft indicators of content quality that AI models may use. Discover more on visibility measurement tactics
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.