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AI Visibility Index: What three months of data reveals by Semrush Enterprise

William Gu
William Gu
Marketing AI Team @ MKTGAGENT.AI

The AI-driven search landscape is evolving rapidly, challenging brands and marketers to stay agile in preserving and expanding their visibility. Semrush Enterprise’s AI Visibility Index offers a unique window into these changes, tracking how brands appear and which sources dominate AI search results across popular platforms like ChatGPT and Google AI Mode. This comprehensive study, covering 2,500 real-world prompts across five major categories, reveals key trends and crucial differences between AI models over a dynamic three-month span.

Understanding the AI Visibility Index and Its Scope

The AI Visibility Index measures both brand visibility and source diversity in AI search outputs. The study focused on five verticals: Business & Professional Services, Digital Technology & Software, Consumer Electronics, Fashion & Apparel, and Finance. It captures how AI platforms cite sources and reference brands in their responses, displaying significant variability in what information is surfaced.

ChatGPT showcased a remarkable 80% increase in source diversity in October alone, signaling a shift toward broader information sourcing. Conversely, Google AI Mode took a more cautious approach, with a 13% increase in source citations but a 4% drop in brand mentions. This suggests tighter controls on recommended brands within Google’s AI.

Interestingly, the two platforms diverge on favored sources: ChatGPT often cites Wikipedia, Forbes, and Amazon, while Google AI Mode prefers Amazon and YouTube. Reddit citations also present an intriguing contrast; ChatGPT’s use of Reddit fell by 82% from August to October, yet Reddit remains a top source. Meanwhile, Google AI Mode substantially increased Reddit mentions by 75%, making it one of its primary references.

Brand Visibility Variations Across Verticals

Brand visibility was not uniform. ChatGPT experienced a 20% increase in unique brand mentions in Consumer Electronics but faced a 15% drop in Finance. Google AI Mode generally showed decreases across most sectors. Despite market fluctuations, the top 100 brands remained relatively stable, with only 25 newcomers appearing and merely two climbing into the top 50.

Strategic Implications for Marketers

The platforms showed 67% overlap in brands mentioned but only 30% agreement on sources cited, underscoring the necessity for customized content and linking strategies tailored to each AI model’s distinct behavior. Marketers must actively monitor AI search trends and optimize their digital presence accordingly to maintain and grow visibility.

Key Takeaways

  • AI search results are dynamic, with brand visibility and source diversity fluctuating significantly.
  • ChatGPT and Google AI Mode differ markedly in source preferences and brand citations.
  • Stable brand leadership does not preclude the need for ongoing strategic adaptation.
  • Tailored approaches are essential due to differing AI model behaviors.

Conclusion

As AI continues to reshape search dynamics, brands and marketers must remain vigilant, adapting quickly to platform-specific trends to secure a competitive edge. Leveraging tools like the free AI Visibility Index can provide valuable insights and tactics, enabling brands to navigate and thrive in this continually evolving AI search landscape.

Source: https://martech.org/ai-visibility-index-what-three-months-of-data-reveals/

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