What is AI Search?
AI search covers all search experiences where AI generates or enhances the results. This includes conversational AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini), AI-native search engines (Perplexity), and AI-enhanced traditional search (Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot).
How it differs from traditional search
Traditional search returns a ranked list of links. AI search synthesizes information from multiple sources and provides direct answers, often naming specific brands. Brands compete for 2-4 recommendation slots instead of 10 ranking positions.
Why it matters for brands
AI search has reached massive scale, with hundreds of millions of users engaging weekly. Being excluded from AI recommendations means potential customers never discover you - there are no links to browse, no results page to scroll.
The landscape
AI search is the environment in which AEO, GEO, and AI visibility strategies operate. Each platform type has different optimization characteristics, which is why multi-platform monitoring is essential.