How to Rank in AI Search (New Strategy & Framework)

AI is already reshaping how buyers discover and choose brands.

When someone asks ChatGPT or Google AI Mode about your category, two things happen:

Brands are mentioned in the answer

Sources are cited as proof

Most companies get one or the other. Very few win both.

And that’s the problem.

According to the latest Semrush Enterprise AI Visibility Index, only a small fraction of companies appear in AI answers as both seen (mentions) and trusted (citations).

That gap is the opportunity.

We’re proposing the Seen & Trusted (S&T) Framework — a systematic approach to help your brand earn mentions in AI answers and citations as a trusted source.

Do both, and you multiply visibility, trust, and conversions across platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity.

SEO remains the foundation.

But AI doesn’t just look at your site. It pulls signals from review platforms, Reddit threads, news coverage, support docs, and community discussions.

When those signals are fragmented, your competitors will own the conversation.

This guide shows you exactly how to fix that with two playbooks:

Get Seen: Win favorable mentions in AI answers

Be Trusted: Earn citations as a reliable source

Run them together and you give AI no choice but to recognize, reference, and recommend your brand.