Luckily, there are tools out there that allow you to analyze what prompts and questions your business shows up for, and how you stack up against your competitors. We\u2019ve started using a new tool at Sanctuary recently, and our Strategy team is loving the insights we get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is AI Search Visibility (and Why It Matters)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanctuarymg.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/02-what-is-ai-search-1024x700.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAI search visibility refers to how often your business appears in AI-generated responses across tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, AI Overview, and other generative search engines. Instead of being linked to directly in traditional search results, businesses are being cited, summarized, or recommended in answers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This shift changes how we think about SEO, and forces us to think about how to become part of the answer itself. When your business is consistently included in these responses, it signals relevance and authority in a way that\u2019s often more influential than standard ranking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Users are increasingly relying on AI to filter, interpret, and deliver information instantly. They are not scrolling through lists of websites anymore. They\u2019re putting their trust in the AI answers, and if your business isn\u2019t mentioned, you\u2019re missing out on highly engaged traffic. Becoming a part of these answers increases trust in your business, improves your credibility, and keeps you competitive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Challenge: AI Search Is a Black Box<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanctuarymg.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/03-AI-Search-Is-a-Black-Box-1024x700.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn traditional SEO, there are many clear factors that affect your rank. With AI, these factors aren\u2019t as well defined and with outputs constantly changing, it\u2019s hard to nail down exactly what gets your brand mentioned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Businesses often see their competitors mentioned in Google\u2019s AI Overview or other search tools and wonder \u201cWhy aren\u2019t we showing up there?\u201d Even if brands focus on one or two specific things to talk about on their website and start to see themselves showing up in search results along with competitors, there isn\u2019t a great way to monitor results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Approach to Monitoring and Optimizing for AI Visibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sanctuarymg.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04-Early-impact-1024x700.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt Sanctuary, our Strategy team has recently been experimenting with a new tool that gives us enhanced insight into our clients\u2019 presence in tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overview and Gemini. This tool not only gives us insight into when and where our clients show up in AI search results, but allows us to compare mentions against competitors, and monitor how website changes affect their positions. We can now understand the types of prompts and questions that trigger brand mentions, and even see intent around those searches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can use this information, and so much more, to make practical suggestions to improve our client\u2019s online presence and get mentioned in the right moments by their potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early Impact: What We\u2019re Seeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While we\u2019re early in our adoption of this tool, we\u2019ve already made a number of meaningful recommendations to our clients based on the insight we\u2019ve gained. One client was missing content on their site altogether that their competitors ranked well for. Another was missing commonly searched differentiators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The updates aren\u2019t a major undertaking for our team, but they will have a measurable impact on our client\u2019s site, as well as help to fully round out their online presence. These suggestions become an extension of our clients\u2019 existing SEO strategy. The insights we\u2019re seeing give us more confidence in the work we\u2019ve already done, and give us actionable ideas to continue to improve our strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What This Means Going Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s always something new to uncover when it comes to AI, and our team has been really excited about what we\u2019re learning and uncovering about our clients. AI search isn\u2019t replacing traditional SEO, but it is expanding it. The fundamentals of strong content, technical performance, and authority still matter, but now they work together with how AI platforms interpret and deliver information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As these tools continue to evolve, the brands that succeed will be able to adapt, test, and refine their approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAI search visibility refers to how often your business appears in AI-generated responses across tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, AI Overview, and other generative search engines. Instead of being linked to directly in traditional search results, businesses are being cited, summarized, or recommended in answers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This shift changes how we think about SEO, and forces us to think about how to become part of the answer itself. When your business is consistently included in these responses, it signals relevance and authority in a way that\u2019s often more influential than standard ranking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Users are increasingly relying on AI to filter, interpret, and deliver information instantly. They are not scrolling through lists of websites anymore. They\u2019re putting their trust in the AI answers, and if your business isn\u2019t mentioned, you\u2019re missing out on highly engaged traffic. Becoming a part of these answers increases trust in your business, improves your credibility, and keeps you competitive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Challenge: AI Search Is a Black Box<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn traditional SEO, there are many clear factors that affect your rank. With AI, these factors aren\u2019t as well defined and with outputs constantly changing, it\u2019s hard to nail down exactly what gets your brand mentioned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Businesses often see their competitors mentioned in Google\u2019s AI Overview or other search tools and wonder \u201cWhy aren\u2019t we showing up there?\u201d Even if brands focus on one or two specific things to talk about on their website and start to see themselves showing up in search results along with competitors, there isn\u2019t a great way to monitor results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Approach to Monitoring and Optimizing for AI Visibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt Sanctuary, our Strategy team has recently been experimenting with a new tool that gives us enhanced insight into our clients\u2019 presence in tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overview and Gemini. This tool not only gives us insight into when and where our clients show up in AI search results, but allows us to compare mentions against competitors, and monitor how website changes affect their positions. We can now understand the types of prompts and questions that trigger brand mentions, and even see intent around those searches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can use this information, and so much more, to make practical suggestions to improve our client\u2019s online presence and get mentioned in the right moments by their potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early Impact: What We\u2019re Seeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While we\u2019re early in our adoption of this tool, we\u2019ve already made a number of meaningful recommendations to our clients based on the insight we\u2019ve gained. One client was missing content on their site altogether that their competitors ranked well for. Another was missing commonly searched differentiators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The updates aren\u2019t a major undertaking for our team, but they will have a measurable impact on our client\u2019s site, as well as help to fully round out their online presence. These suggestions become an extension of our clients\u2019 existing SEO strategy. The insights we\u2019re seeing give us more confidence in the work we\u2019ve already done, and give us actionable ideas to continue to improve our strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What This Means Going Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s always something new to uncover when it comes to AI, and our team has been really excited about what we\u2019re learning and uncovering about our clients. AI search isn\u2019t replacing traditional SEO, but it is expanding it. The fundamentals of strong content, technical performance, and authority still matter, but now they work together with how AI platforms interpret and deliver information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As these tools continue to evolve, the brands that succeed will be able to adapt, test, and refine their approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn traditional SEO, there are many clear factors that affect your rank. With AI, these factors aren\u2019t as well defined and with outputs constantly changing, it\u2019s hard to nail down exactly what gets your brand mentioned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Businesses often see their competitors mentioned in Google\u2019s AI Overview or other search tools and wonder \u201cWhy aren\u2019t we showing up there?\u201d Even if brands focus on one or two specific things to talk about on their website and start to see themselves showing up in search results along with competitors, there isn\u2019t a great way to monitor results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Approach to Monitoring and Optimizing for AI Visibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt Sanctuary, our Strategy team has recently been experimenting with a new tool that gives us enhanced insight into our clients\u2019 presence in tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overview and Gemini. This tool not only gives us insight into when and where our clients show up in AI search results, but allows us to compare mentions against competitors, and monitor how website changes affect their positions. We can now understand the types of prompts and questions that trigger brand mentions, and even see intent around those searches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can use this information, and so much more, to make practical suggestions to improve our client\u2019s online presence and get mentioned in the right moments by their potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early Impact: What We\u2019re Seeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While we\u2019re early in our adoption of this tool, we\u2019ve already made a number of meaningful recommendations to our clients based on the insight we\u2019ve gained. One client was missing content on their site altogether that their competitors ranked well for. Another was missing commonly searched differentiators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The updates aren\u2019t a major undertaking for our team, but they will have a measurable impact on our client\u2019s site, as well as help to fully round out their online presence. These suggestions become an extension of our clients\u2019 existing SEO strategy. The insights we\u2019re seeing give us more confidence in the work we\u2019ve already done, and give us actionable ideas to continue to improve our strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What This Means Going Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s always something new to uncover when it comes to AI, and our team has been really excited about what we\u2019re learning and uncovering about our clients. AI search isn\u2019t replacing traditional SEO, but it is expanding it. The fundamentals of strong content, technical performance, and authority still matter, but now they work together with how AI platforms interpret and deliver information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As these tools continue to evolve, the brands that succeed will be able to adapt, test, and refine their approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt Sanctuary, our Strategy team has recently been experimenting with a new tool that gives us enhanced insight into our clients\u2019 presence in tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overview and Gemini. This tool not only gives us insight into when and where our clients show up in AI search results, but allows us to compare mentions against competitors, and monitor how website changes affect their positions. We can now understand the types of prompts and questions that trigger brand mentions, and even see intent around those searches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can use this information, and so much more, to make practical suggestions to improve our client\u2019s online presence and get mentioned in the right moments by their potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early Impact: What We\u2019re Seeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While we\u2019re early in our adoption of this tool, we\u2019ve already made a number of meaningful recommendations to our clients based on the insight we\u2019ve gained. One client was missing content on their site altogether that their competitors ranked well for. Another was missing commonly searched differentiators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The updates aren\u2019t a major undertaking for our team, but they will have a measurable impact on our client\u2019s site, as well as help to fully round out their online presence. These suggestions become an extension of our clients\u2019 existing SEO strategy. The insights we\u2019re seeing give us more confidence in the work we\u2019ve already done, and give us actionable ideas to continue to improve our strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What This Means Going Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s always something new to uncover when it comes to AI, and our team has been really excited about what we\u2019re learning and uncovering about our clients. AI search isn\u2019t replacing traditional SEO, but it is expanding it. The fundamentals of strong content, technical performance, and authority still matter, but now they work together with how AI platforms interpret and deliver information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As these tools continue to evolve, the brands that succeed will be able to adapt, test, and refine their approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n