How to Rank #1 in Google AI Mode (Complete Guide)
How to Rank #1 in Google AI Mode (Complete Guide)
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Search is changing, and if Google’s results feel more conversational lately, you’re seeing AI Mode in action.
AI Mode blends search engine functionality with AI reasoning.
It runs multiple background searches, draws from Google’s Gemini model, and delivers a written, natural-sounding answer, complete with citations.
This shift matters. In AI Mode, businesses face one of three outcomes:
- Get cited: Your content is directly linked
- Get mentioned: Your brand is referenced without a link
- Get locked out: You’re not included at all
What makes it more urgent?
Over 79% of users expect AI-enhanced results soon, and “zero-click” searches are rising fast as AI Overviews dominate screen space, especially on mobile.
The catch? Most marketers and business owners still aren’t sure how to get featured or how this all AI mode works.
And with Google already integrating AI Mode features into its main search results, ignoring it is no longer an option.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to appear in Google AI Mode – not just as an afterthought, but as the go-to answer.
Let’s dive into the strategies that are already making brands stand out.
Digital Marketing, SEO & PPC
- SEO to boost rankings and capture high-intent, AI-driven traffic
- Performance Marketing to run ROI-focused campaigns that convert
- Content Marketing to drive clicks, earn links, and build authority
What Is Google AI Mode and Why It Matters
Definition and Key Features
Google AI Mode is a new search experience powered by Gemini 2.0, Google’s most advanced large language model.
Unlike traditional search, it doesn’t just retrieve links, it interprets your query, runs multiple background searches, and delivers a direct, written answer.
What makes it different under the hood:
- Built on Gemini 2.0: Capable of processing and reasoning across text, images, video, and code.
- Blends real-time search results, the Knowledge Graph, and LLM reasoning: Drawing from both live web content and internal knowledge.
- Handles follow-ups and remembers context: AI Mode can continue a conversation thread without needing the full query repeated.
- Multimodal input (in the Google app): Users can search using voice, photos, or text, and AI Mode understands them all.
With its ability to reason and adapt to user input, Google AI Mode offers a more intuitive and dynamic search experience.
How It Differs From AI Overviews and Regular Search
AI Mode may look like an extension of AI Overviews, but functionally, it’s a much bigger shift. AI Overviews still live inside the standard Google search results, a box that summarises sources.
AI Mode is a standalone search experience, replacing the usual results with a full-screen AI interface.
| Feature | Traditional Search | AI Overviews | AI Mode (Gemini) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | List of links | Summary box | Full conversational AI |
| Reasoning Ability | ❌ | Limited | ✔️ Structured + contextual |
| Follow-up questions supported | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ Yes |
| Multimodal input | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ (in app) |
| Personal context memory | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ Yes |
| Cites real sources | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
This deeper reasoning relies on three core mechanics:
- Structured logic to break down and evaluate needs
- Query fan-out, where multiple sub-queries are run simultaneously
- Vector embeddings, where concepts like your brand and keywords are stored as related ideas, influencing what the AI chooses to mention or cite
AI Mode doesn’t just rank pages. It learns relationships. Brands with strong content and consistent positioning are more likely to be recommended, even without direct queries for them.
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How Google AI Mode Works Behind the Scenes
To rank in AI Mode, you need to think like the AI – or at least understand how it thinks.
Unlike traditional search engines that scan and rank based on keywords and links, Google AI Mode interprets, reasons, and responds based on deeper understanding.
That’s what sets it apart, and why optimising for it requires more than just on-page SEO.
Here’s a look at how it works under the hood.
The Query Fan-Out Process
When you type a query into AI Mode, it doesn’t just run a single search. Instead, it breaks the query into multiple sub-questions and runs them all in parallel. This method is called query fan-out.
For example, if someone asks:
“What’s the best lawn fertiliser for spring?”
AI Mode silently expands that question behind the scenes into multiple related ones, like:
- What are the top-rated organic fertilisers?
- Which fertilisers are best for cool-season grass?
- What do experts recommend for spring lawn care?
- Which brands have the most positive customer reviews?
It then pulls in content from those subtopics, evaluates the quality, relevance, and authority of each source, and merges the findings into a single, coherent response.
If your content only answers the surface-level question, you’ll get bypassed. But if it addresses the supporting queries too, you’re far more likely to get cited.
Structured Reasoning Chains
Google AI Mode doesn’t just grab information – it evaluates it logically.
This is done through structured reasoning chains. The model takes your query, identifies the goal behind it, and then creates a mental checklist of what a “good answer” needs to include.
Here’s a simplified version of how that might work:
Query:
“Best laptop for architecture students under £1,000”
Reasoning chain:
- Needs portability + processing power
- Must run design software (AutoCAD, Revit)
- Must fall under budget
- Should balance battery life and screen size
Each of these conditions feeds into how AI Mode scores and selects content to include in the response.
Pages that clearly address multiple criteria – especially with clarity, structure, and credibility – rise to the top.
In short, AI Mode is looking for helpful, high-context answers – not vague, one-size-fits-all content.
Embeddings and Concept Linking
AI Mode’s memory doesn’t work like a database. It doesn’t store full articles, it stores relationships between ideas, called embeddings.
Imagine Google’s AI brain as a giant map of interconnected concepts. When two ideas appear together, often like “Have a break” and “Kit Kat” – those connections get stronger.
It’s the same with brands.
If a brand like The Ordinary is frequently associated with phrases like “best value skincare”, “affordable serums”, and “minimalist skincare routine”, AI Mode learns to link them, and may surface the brand even when it wasn’t mentioned in the query.
This also explains why:
“Which skincare brand offers the best value?”
→ AI Mode often returns: The Ordinary – because its concept links are embedded deep in the model’s training data.
As AI Mode evolves, brands that consistently deliver valuable, expert-driven content and maintain strong, repeated associations with key search phrases are more likely to be recognised and recommended.
It’s not just about ranking anymore; it’s about becoming an essential part of the AI’s knowledge network, one that shapes how AI answers user queries.
Digital Marketing, SEO & PPC
- SEO to boost rankings and capture high-intent, AI-driven traffic
- Performance Marketing to run ROI-focused campaigns that convert
- Content Marketing to drive clicks, earn links, and build authority
How to Optimise for AI Mode (10 Core Strategies)
Getting featured in Google AI Mode requires more than standard SEO tactics.
It involves aligning your content, site structure, and brand visibility with how AI Mode actually works, which is fundamentally different from how traditional search engines evaluate pages.
These 10 strategies are based on proven practices, and they’re what forward-thinking businesses are already doing to get cited and mentioned by AI.
1. Ensure Crawlability and Indexing
If Google can’t crawl and index your content, it won’t appear in AI Mode — or anywhere else.
Source: Google Search Central
Make sure you’ve covered these technical basics:
- Use a properly configured robots.txt file that allows access to key content
- Submit a complete XML sitemap in Google Search Console
- Check for crawl errors and indexing issues using the URL inspection tool
- Avoid unintentional noindex tags or redirect loops
There’s currently no need to create a special llms.txt file, despite online speculation. Google has confirmed that AI Mode pulls from the same content sources as its regular index.
Pro tip: Run regular site crawls using tools like Sitebulb, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog to stay ahead of technical issues and ensure your pages remain accessible.
Additionally, Google’s Core Web Vitals have been shown to impact rankings significantly. Websites that perform well on Core Web Vitals are more likely to see improved rankings.
Ensuring your site is crawlable and adheres to these key indexing strategies will improve your chances of being featured in AI Mode and other Google features.
2. Deliver a High-Quality Page Experience
AI Mode prioritises content from sites that offer an excellent user experience. That’s because Google uses the same page experience signals.
Source: Google Search Central
Page speed is critical; Google found that 53% of mobile users abandon a page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load.
Focus on the following:
- Fast load times (especially Largest Contentful Paint under 2.5s)
- Low input delays (First Input Delay under 100ms)
- Minimal layout shifts (Cumulative Layout Shift below 0.1)
- Clean mobile design and responsive layout
- Content that’s easy to access without intrusive ads or overlays
Also, according to Google’s internal data, sites that pass Core Web Vitals benchmarks are significantly more likely to appear in AI-generated responses and featured content boxes.
This is a cross-functional effort, developers, UX designers, and marketers all play a role in ensuring your site is technically strong and user-friendly.
3. Create People-First, Expert-Led Content
AI Mode isn’t just scanning for keywords. It’s evaluating the depth, clarity, and trustworthiness of your content. This is where Google’s E-E-A-T framework – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness — becomes essential.
Source: Google Search Central
Your content should include:
- Specific, actionable guidance (e.g. “Use 15–20 reps in week one” instead of “start slow”)
- Insights based on real experience or case studies
- Clear author attribution with bios, credentials, or background
- Structured content using headings, tables, or visuals to improve readability
Sites that demonstrate hands-on expertise or niche authority are often preferred in AI-mode responses. For example, a product review from someone who actually uses the item carries more weight than a generic roundup.
This is especially important for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics, such as health, finance, or legal subjects, where accuracy and trust are critical.
4. Use Relevant Queries in Prominent Locations (Query Fan-Out Optimisation)
Google AI Mode expands user queries into multiple related sub-questions using query fan-out. To improve your chances of inclusion, your content needs to cover related variations of the main topic.
Source: Google Blog
Include key terms and related phrases in:
- Title tags
- H1–H3 headings
- Image alt text
- Anchor text for internal linking
For example, if your content targets “budget laptops for students,” include related terms like “affordable student laptops” or “entry-level devices for college.”
Test your target phrase in Gemini or Perplexity to uncover background queries AI might use.
A 2025 Writesonic study found that 84.2% of AI Overviews don’t contain the exact search terms, focusing more on semantic meaning.
Meanwhile, 73.6% of AI Overviews are triggered by long-tail keywords (5+ words), highlighting the importance of targeting specific queries.
5. Add Rich Multimedia
AI Mode is designed to understand and surface content that goes beyond plain text. Google has been increasingly focused on multimodal search, where text, images, audio, and video all play a role in the user experience.
Source: Google Search Central
Enhance your content with:
- Product demonstration videos or walkthroughs
- 360-degree views and image-based guides
- Audio summaries for long-form blog posts
- Data visualisations, charts, and calculators
Content with high-quality multimedia tends to perform better in AI Mode because it offers users a fuller, more helpful answer.
This is especially important for eCommerce, where the Shopping Graph is integrated into AI results.
6. Implement Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data helps Google understand your content better, and it plays an important role in AI Mode’s ability to extract information and present it accurately.
Source: Google Search Central
The most useful schema types for AI Mode visibility include:
- Product – For ecommerce listings
- Organisation – For branding and contact info
- Review – For testimonials and ratings
- FAQ – For Q&A sections
- HowTo – For step-by-step tutorials
It’s not enough to simply add schema; the structured data must match exactly what’s shown on the page. If there’s a mismatch, your content could be excluded from AI Mode altogether.
Tools like Yoast SEO, Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper, or Schema.org’s generators can help you add the correct code.
Once added, test it using the Rich Results Test and monitor the Search Console’s “Enhancements” section.
7. Keep Google Business Profile Up-to-Date
AI Mode doesn’t just rely on your website — it actively pulls data from your Google Business Profile (GBP) to support answers related to local or branded queries.
Source: Google Support
Make sure the following GBP details are always current:
- Business name, location, and contact info
- Operating hours (including holiday changes)
- Categories, services, and descriptions
- Photos, videos, amenities, and social media links
This is especially critical if you want to show up in AI-generated local recommendations or Google Maps integrations.
Missing or outdated information can disqualify you from being included in AI Mode’s business responses, even if your site content is strong.
8. Maintain Accurate Google Merchant Centre Listings
For e-commerce businesses, Google Merchant Centre is essential. AI Mode uses Google’s Shopping Graph, which draws from over 50 billion product listings, to generate product-based answers.
Source: Google Blog
Here’s what you need to keep accurate:
- Product titles and descriptions
- Pricing and special offers
- Inventory availability
- GTINs, brand, and product images
If these fields are outdated or misaligned with your website, Google may reduce your visibility, not only in traditional Shopping ads but also in AI-powered commerce responses.
According to a recent Google I/O update, Shopping Graph signals are becoming more deeply integrated into AI Mode — meaning product accuracy isn’t just helpful, it’s required.
9. Build Online Mentions (Digital PR & Forums)
Mentions of your brand across the web, whether linked or unlinked, are a key trust signal for Google’s AI models. These mentions help AI Mode understand your relevance, authority, and topic association.
For example, here’s a Reddit thread where someone casually mentioned Backlinko, these kinds of mentions help brands like Backlinko get picked up more often by AI models.
Source: Backlinko
Sources That Influence AI Mode:
- “Best of” listicles and roundup reviews
- Reddit threads and Quora discussions (Reddit makes up 5.9% of ChatGPT’s source data, and Google AI Mode draws from similar public content)
- Social media posts by niche influencers
- Features or quotes in trusted media publications
How to Build These Mentions:
- Develop PR-worthy assets like original research, surveys, or tools
- Pitch stories and data insights to relevant journalists or bloggers
- Collaborate with micro-influencers in your industry
- Be active in community forums, offering helpful responses and linking back to your resources naturally
This is the foundation of off-page AI optimisation — not just link building, but building semantic and contextual recognition between your brand and key search topics.
10. Expand to Other Generative Search Channels
AI Mode might be Google’s flagship, but it’s not the only generative engine that users rely on. People now search across platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Meta AI, and even Gemini, Google’s own LLM in non-search contexts.
For example, according to Search Engine Land’s latest blog published in February 2025, 71.5% people are now using AI tools, including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Meta AI for search.
Right now, generative AI traffic accounts for less than 1% of total web traffic, but it’s growing 165x faster than traditional search.
To stay ahead, consider:
- Republishing and optimising your content for multiple AI interfaces
- Using OmniSEO strategies to identify which queries are trending in each platform
- Monitoring your brand's presence across AI models using tools like OmniSEO or Semrush AI
This isn’t just about visibility — it’s about future-proofing. As search becomes increasingly decentralised and AI-first, your ability to show up across multiple engines will be a major competitive advantage.
Marketing Research & Strategy
We help you understand your market and build smart strategies to attract more customers and grow faster.
- Detailed research into your competitors, customers, and market
- Custom marketing and growth plans that drive real results
- Clear action steps to increase traffic, leads, and sales
ADWORDS ROI
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Content Strategy To Rank in AI Mode
Content that ranks in Google AI Mode isn’t just informative, it’s deeply helpful, experience-backed, and intentionally structured to answer the kinds of layered, nuanced queries users are asking in 2025.
This means your content strategy has to evolve beyond simple keyword targeting and shallow blog posts. To get cited or mentioned in AI Mode, you need to go deeper, sharper, and more specific.
Here’s how.
Go Beyond Top-of-Funnel
The days of ranking with broad, surface-level content like “What is email marketing?” are quickly fading. AI Mode excels at answering these questions on its own.
What it can’t always do is provide rich, context-specific insight for more focused queries — and that’s where you come in.
Focus your content efforts on:
- Middle-of-funnel topics, like “best email marketing platforms for SaaS startups”
- Bottom-of-funnel comparisons, like “MailerLite vs. ActiveCampaign for small ecommerce brands”
- Objection-handling, e.g., “Is Mailchimp too expensive for freelancers?”
By targeting these more specific, intent-driven searches, you’re not only improving your chances of ranking, you’re entering the decision-making moment of the customer journey.
This aligns well with the way AI Mode uses query fan-out to break down and explore multiple angles of a user’s original question.
The more subtopics you cover in depth, the more likely you are to be included.
Write With Real Expertise
Generic content doesn’t cut it anymore. If AI Mode can answer a query without citing anyone, it will. So, to get cited, your content needs to bring something AI can’t generate on its own: lived experience, expert opinions, and depth.
That means:
- Use subject matter experts (SMEs) to guide your content — either as the authors or collaborators.
- Add real author bios with credentials, certifications, and proof of experience (Google’s E-E-A-T signals).
- Include videos, walkthroughs, or product demos embedded in the page.
- Support claims with original data, customer quotes, or detailed use cases.
When AI Mode decides which pages to cite, it prefers those that add unique value — content written by someone who has done the thing they’re writing about, not just researched it.
Use Content Hubs to Cover Query Fan-Out Topics
AI Mode breaks a single query into many sub-queries. If you want your site to dominate the answer space, you need to anticipate and cover those subtopics — and the best way to do this is with content hubs.
Start by:
- Choosing a core topic, like “kitchen renovation”
- Using Gemini, ChatGPT, or Perplexity to find related sub-queries users ask (e.g., “budget kitchen upgrades,” “kitchen cabinet finishes,” “timeline for remodels”)
- Creating interlinked content for each of those subtopics with in-depth, high-quality articles
- Connecting them with a strong pillar page that explains the overarching category
This approach increases the semantic density of your content, meaning AI Mode sees your site as a well-rounded authority on the topic.
Over time, this builds trust and improves your chances of being cited not just once, but across multiple subtopics in a single AI response.
Digital Marketing, SEO & PPC
- SEO to boost rankings and capture high-intent, AI-driven traffic
- Performance Marketing to run ROI-focused campaigns that convert
- Content Marketing to drive clicks, earn links, and build authority
How to Measure and Track AI Mode Visibility
Optimising for AI Mode is only half the job, tracking your performance is just as important. The challenge? As of mid-2025, Google doesn’t yet provide direct AI Mode-specific tracking in its native tools.
But there are still ways to monitor your visibility and impact.
What Google Offers (For Now)
Currently, Google Search Console doesn’t include a dedicated filter for AI Mode or AI Overviews. That means you won’t see an explicit breakdown of clicks, impressions, or rankings from AI-driven results.
However, you can still gain insight by:
- Using the URL Inspection Tool to confirm that key pages are indexed and crawlable.
- Watching for sudden traffic spikes that don’t align with known rankings — this may signal exposure via AI Overviews or Mode.
- Reviewing Performance Reports to track query-level changes over time (especially long-tail, question-based queries).
Pro tip: AI-generated answers often pull from well-optimised, middle- or bottom-funnel content. If you notice unusual upticks in traffic to pages like comparisons, reviews, or expert guides, that may be AI visibility in action.
AI-Specific Tracking Tools
To go deeper, you’ll want to use tools purpose-built for tracking generative AI visibility across multiple platforms.
Some leading options:
- OmniSEO: Monitors brand citations and link appearances in Google AI Mode, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. Also offers trend dashboards, citation breakdowns, and competitive benchmarks.
- Semrush AI Tools: Tracks AI-based mentions and sentiment across major generative platforms. Useful for evaluating how you're being talked about — and where.
- Similarweb (AI Trends): Offers a macro-level analysis of how generative engines are changing traffic flows and what queries are triggering zero-click or AI-assisted answers.
These tools don’t just help you see where you’re showing up — they help you understand why you’re visible (or not), and how your competitors are performing in the same landscape.
As AI Mode becomes more prominent and integrated into the core Google experience, expect measurement tools to catch up quickly.
But if you want to stay ahead of the curve now, blending traditional SEO insights with AI-specific tracking is your best bet.
How Small Brands Can Still Win
Worried that AI Mode will only reward big brands with huge budgets? Don’t be. In fact, small brands often have a unique edge – if they play it smart.
Google’s AI Mode doesn’t just reward size or traffic volume. It rewards relevance, expertise, and authority – and that opens the door wide for smaller players to earn citations, mentions, and trust.
Here’s how to compete (and win) even without the backing of a large SEO or PR team:
Niche Down and Own Your Vertical
Trying to rank broadly against well-funded competitors is a losing game. Instead, go deeper, not wider.
Laser-focus on a specific niche, subcategory, or audience segment. This allows you to:
- Dominate long-tail and low-competition queries
- Become the “go-to” brand for highly specific needs
- Build strong concept associations that get picked up by AI
For example, instead of trying to rank for “best skincare brand,” aim for “best anti-ageing skincare for women over 60 with sensitive skin.” Specific beatsare generic — especially in AI Mode’s fan-out query system.
Publish the Deep Content Others Overlook
The big players often aim for scale, quick content, wide reach, and surface-level coverage.
You can do the opposite.
Produce detailed, high-authority content that truly solves problems or answers complex questions. This kind of depth is exactly what AI systems look for when generating answers beyond what they can synthesise themselves.
Include:
- Original product tests or reviews
- Step-by-step guides with photos or videos
- Industry insights from real experience
- Detailed use-case comparisons or niche how-tos
Pro tip: Use tools like Gemini or ChatGPT to reverse-engineer what sub-queries are likely being run behind AI Mode answers. Then cover those topics in depth.
Prioritise Expert Authority Over Traffic Volume
AI Mode isn’t just scraping page titles and links — it’s reasoning.
That means real expertise counts more than ever. Google’s Gemini uses vector memory and embeddings to associate concepts with sources of authority.
So rather than chasing high-volume traffic, focus on demonstrating credibility:
- Add author bios with credentials
- Use expert quotes and original commentary
- Reference hands-on experience and first-hand results
- Include video walkthroughs or demonstrations
Marketing Research & Strategy
We help you understand your market and build smart strategies to attract more customers and grow faster.
- Detailed research into your competitors, customers, and market
- Custom marketing and growth plans that drive real results
- Clear action steps to increase traffic, leads, and sales
ADWORDS ROI
Cut Ad spend
The Future of Search: What to Expect
AI Mode isn’t just a feature, it’s a signpost pointing to where all of search is heading. As the latest studies and research suggest, the next few years will reshape how users search, what they trust, and how businesses need to show up online.
If you want your brand to stay relevant (or rise fast), here’s what to prepare for:
1. Clicks Won’t Disappear
While AI-generated summaries are useful, users still click, especially when:
- The topic is complex or sensitive
- They want hands-on advice or deeper expertise
- Trust is a major factor (e.g., health, finance, B2B)
Even with AI Overviews present, many users still scroll to verify information or explore further. That means your content must be strong enough to earn that click, even when AI Mode offers a summary.
2. Long-Term Brand Building Is a Must
Forget growth hacks. AI search systems — especially those powered by large language models (LLMs) like Gemini — favour brands that show consistency, relevance, and topical authority.
LLMs remember and connect concepts over time. So, the more consistent your brand appears across web content, citations, and social mentions, the more likely AI Mode is to “remember” and recommend you.
3. Omnichannel Visibility Will Be Crucial
Search isn’t just happening on Google anymore.
Users are asking questions on:
- YouTube
- ChatGPT
- Perplexity
- TikTok
- Forums
- Even voice assistants and wearables
To stay competitive, your brand must be present in multiple discovery channels. This doesn’t mean spreading yourself thin — it means repurposing key content in formats and platforms your audience uses.
As Patel’s research highlights, brands that show up in more places get cited more often by AI tools because those tools scan and connect the entire digital ecosystem, not just websites.
4. AI Tools Will Handle Complex Queries
One striking insight from Neil Patel’s testing: 77.2% of AI Overviews are triggered by long-tail queries (6+ words).
Why? Because these are the kinds of questions that need context, reasoning, and layered answers — things AI tools are built to handle.
Implications for your content?
- Don’t just target “how to lose weight”
- Target “how to lose weight after 40 with thyroid issues”
- Don’t just write “best wireless headphones”
- Write “best wireless headphones for Zoom calls in noisy offices”
Specificity is now your superpower.
5. Trust in AI Will Keep Rising
Yes, hallucinations and errors still happen in AI-generated responses. But user confidence is growing.
As generative AI becomes embedded into everyday search and users realise how fast, convenient, and helpful it can be, early trust translates into long-term adoption.
That’s why businesses optimising for AI Mode today have a massive first-mover advantage. You’re not just ranking in search, you’re becoming the source AI relies on.
In Short…
Search isn’t dying — it’s evolving. And the brands that succeed in this next era will be:
- Authentically helpful
- Consistently visible
- Trusted across platforms
- Deeply embedded in niche expertise
AI Mode is just the beginning. Treat it as your blueprint for what search will look like everywhere in the years to come.
Final Thoughts: How to Rank in AI Mode
Google AI Mode doesn’t replace SEO – it elevates the standard.
It’s no longer enough to just appear in the SERPs. In this AI-powered world, your brand needs to be understood, trusted, and embedded into the knowledge base that powers the results themselves.
That means pairing traditional SEO fundamentals with LLM-focused tactics:
- Build conceptual relevance - Connect your brand with specific ideas users are searching for.
- Engineer brand associations - Ensure the AI “remembers” your brand by repeating key narratives across the web.
- Optimise for query fan-out - Create content that answers not just the main query, but all the follow-up questions AI Mode is likely to explore.
- Dominate expert-level content - Be the source that goes deeper than the AI can.
The rules have changed. But the opportunity has never been bigger — especially for brands willing to lead, not follow.
Want your brand to be the one AI recommends first?
Let’s talk about AI-first SEO. Our SEO team at Credofy knows how to help brands earn citations and mentions in AI Mode, before your competitors catch up.
Whether you’re a startup or an established business, we’ll help you build the authority, content, and visibility that AI engines are already rewarding.
Get ahead while most are still figuring it out.
Book your 45-minute session now to learn how we can optimise your brand for AI-driven search results and position you as the go-to authority in your industry.
FAQs About Ranking in Google AI Mode
1. Is Google AI Mode the same as AI Overviews?
No, while they’re related, AI Mode is a more advanced version of AI Overviews. It allows conversational follow-ups, remembers context across queries, and uses structured reasoning to generate more thoughtful, personalised responses.
AI Overviews are summary-style results embedded into traditional search, while AI Mode feels more like an AI chat interface layered over search.
2. Do I need special SEO tactics to rank in AI Mode?
Yes and no. Traditional SEO still forms the foundation – crawlability, content quality, and structured data all matter.
But AI Mode also considers brand mentions, expert-led content, and topic authority. You’ll also need to think in terms of how the AI “learns” associations, not just how it ranks pages.
3. How do I know if my site is appearing in AI Mode?
Google Search Console doesn’t yet provide specific AI Mode reporting.
However, third-party tools like OmniSEO and Semrush offer early-stage visibility tracking for AI Mode, AI Overviews, ChatGPT results, and more. You can also test visibility manually by inputting key queries directly in AI Mode.
4. Can small websites or new brands rank in AI Mode?
Absolutely. AI Mode favours specificity, clarity, and expertise, not just domain authority.
If you serve a niche well and produce content that’s detailed, experience-led, and trustworthy, your chances of appearing in AI Mode are strong, especially for long-tail and product-specific searches.
