AI Search: Frequently Asked Questions

The primary AI systems to optimise for in 2024-2025 are Google AI Overviews (which appear in Google search results), ChatGPT (the most widely used standalone AI assistant globally), Perplexity AI (popular among research-oriented users), and Microsoft Copilot (integrated into Bing and Microsoft 365). The good news is that the GEO principles that help one system recognise your authority generally help all of them — the underlying criteria for trustworthiness and citability are consistent across platforms. Rather than chasing each platform separately, focus on the shared fundamentals — accuracy, structure and authority — that earn citations everywhere.

Test your AI visibility by opening ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews and asking: "What is the best [your service type] in [your city]?" or "Who are the leading [your industry] experts in South Africa?" Note whether your business name appears, how it is described, and what sources are cited. Repeat this test monthly as you implement your GEO strategy to track improvement. Google Search Console also provides data on whether your pages are appearing in AI Overview results. Keep a simple log of the answers you see each month so you can measure progress over time.