Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimization

How to Improve Your Chances of Being Recommended by AI Search

How to Improve Your Chances of Being Recommended by AI Search

AI-powered search experiences, such as Google’s AI Overviews, voice assistants, and large language models, are changing how people discover businesses and information online. As a result, many site owners are asking an important question:

How do you improve your chances of being recommended by AI search tools?

AI systems pull from many different signals, sources, and training data, all of which evolve over time. That said, there are proven SEO best practices that can help your site become easier to understand, more trustworthy, and more likely to be surfaced. But there are no guarantees. And anyone that tells you otherwise, you should move with caution. Our industry is constantly evolving, and we’re learning more everyday.

Technical SEO Best Practices (On-Site)

1. Make Your Site Easy to Crawl and Understand

AI systems rely heavily on search engines being able to crawl and interpret your site correctly. A clean technical foundation is essential.

Best practices include:

  • Logical site hierarchy and navigation
  • Clean, readable URLs
  • Strong internal linking between related pages
  • XML sitemap submitted through Google Search Console

If search engines struggle to access your pages, AI systems are unlikely to reference them.

2. Create High-Quality, Intent-Driven Content

AI prefers content that clearly answers questions and provides real value.

Focus on:

  • Writing for human consumption
  • Addressing specific user intent
  • Providing depth instead of thin or repetitive content
  • Avoiding keyword stuffing or generic filler text

“Building topical authority over time is more effective than publishing large volumes of shallow content.”
*Wordstream.com

3. Use Proper Headings and Semantic Structure

Clear formatting helps machines understand content hierarchy and meaning.

Best practices:

  • One clear H1 per page
  • Logical use of H2 and H3 subheadings
  • Short paragraphs and scannable sections
  • Bullet points where appropriate

Well-structured content is easier for both users and AI systems to process.

4. Implement Schema Markup (Structured Data)

Schema markup helps search engines and AI tools interpret your content more accurately.

Common schema types to consider:

  • Organization
  • LocalBusiness
  • Article or BlogPosting
  • FAQ
  • Product or Service

Schema does not guarantee inclusion in AI results, but it improves clarity and context.

5. Optimize for Speed and Mobile Experience

Performance still matters in an AI-driven search world.

Key factors include:

  • Fast page load times
  • Mobile-friendly design
  • Optimized images and scripts
  • Strong Core Web Vitals scores

AI systems favor sources that deliver a reliable user experience.

6. Strengthen E-E-A-T Signals

“Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) are increasingly important”.
*Techopedia.com

Ways to reinforce trust:

  • Clear author bios and credentials
  • About and Contact pages
  • Privacy policy and terms of service
  • Real-world experience and proof of expertise

Trust signals help AI systems determine whether your content is credible.

Off-Page SEO & Authority Best Practices

7. Earn High-Quality Backlinks

Not all backlinks are equal. AI systems preference sites that are referenced by trusted, relevant sources.

Focus on earning links from:

  • Industry publications
  • Local news outlets
  • Niche blogs and resources
  • Business partners or suppliers

Avoid low-quality link schemes or spammy networks.

8. Build Brand Mentions (Linked and Unlinked)

AI systems often recognize brand authority beyond traditional backlinks.

Helpful strategies include:

  • Press coverage
  • Podcast interviews
  • Expert quotes in articles
  • Mentions on reputable websites

Even unlinked brand mentions can reinforce credibility.

9. Maintain Consistent Business Listings

For local and service-based businesses, consistency is key.

Best practices:

  • Fully optimized Google Business Profile
  • Accurate listings in reputable directories
  • Consistent name, address, and phone number (NAP)

These signals help validate your business’s legitimacy.

10. Publish Original Insights and Thought Leadership

AI systems favor original perspectives over generic summaries.

Consider creating:

  • Case studies
  • Industry commentary
  • Data-backed insights
  • Expert guides based on real experience

Unique content is more likely to be referenced than content that simply rehashes existing information.

11. Distribute Content Strategically

While social media signals are not direct ranking factors, they help your content get discovered.

Effective distribution can lead to:

  • Increased visibility
  • More engagement
  • Natural backlinks and brand mentions

The more your content circulates, the higher the chance it’s referenced elsewhere.

A Realistic Expectation

Even when all best practices are followed, AI recommendations are never guaranteed. AI systems:

  • Use multiple data sources
  • Update frequently
  • Evaluate authority differently by topic

“SEO for AI search is a long-term credibility strategy, not a quick win.”
*forbes.com

If you want to improve your chances of being recommended by AI search tools, focus on strong fundamentals:

  • Build a technically sound website
  • Publish clear, helpful, expert-led content
  • Earn real authority off-site
  • Stay consistent over time

AI systems tend to reward clarity, trust, and usefulness. By following these best practices and staying patient, you position your site well for both traditional search visibility and the growing role of AI-driven discovery.