A few weeks ago, we were elbow deep in a website SEO audit when another client project pulled me over to review Instagram data. That’s when, after falling down an IG rabbit hole (it happens to the best of us 😉), I came across a report from Profound that stopped me in my tracks.
The report wasn’t about website SEO. It was about where AI platforms are really pulling their answers from — and the results were not exactly what I expected to see.
What Is LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization)?
Think of SEO as making your site attractive to Google. Clear navigation, keyword strategy, backlinks, fast performance.
LLMO is about making your site readable and reference-worthy to AI platforms. Large language models do not just search. They learn by pulling from millions of sources and then cite what they trust when someone asks them a question.
Good SEO is still essential, but on its own it is no longer enough.
Where ChatGPT, Gemini, and Other AIs Get Their Information
The Profound report breaks down the citation patterns of major AI platforms, and the results are surprising:
- ChatGPT: Nearly 8% of citations come from Wikipedia. The next top source? Reddit, at about 2%. Yes, Reddit threads are shaping AI’s responses. Overall however, ChatGPT favors authoritative knowledge bases and established media.
- Google AI Overviews: Strong preference for YouTube. Video is not just a marketing tool, it is a primary input for Google’s summaries. Again, Reddit and Quora are revealed as important source material. However, among Google AI Overviews’ top 10 sources, there’s a very balanced distribution across professional content and social platforms.
- Perplexity: Relying primarily on YouTube and Reddit for information, Perplexity prioritizes community discussions and peer-to-peer information.
The big takeaway? AI is not just scraping Google search results. It is sourcing from community forums, video platforms, and reference sites.
So here’s the million-dollar question: if AI was asked about your industry today, would it be citing your website… or skipping right over you?
How to Optimize Your Website for AI Search
How do you make sure your business shows up where AI is looking? It comes down to two things: strengthening your own site and being strategic about off-site presence.
On your website:
- Keep the structure clean and consistent with clear headings and subheadings.
- Use schema markup so AI can quickly understand what your content is about.
- Write accurate meta descriptions and titles.
- Ensure your site is fast and mobile-friendly.
Beyond your website:
- Publish content that answers real client questions. Blogs, FAQs, and practical guides all help AI recognize you as a trusted source.
- Think about where your audience is learning. If forums are active in your industry, participate. If YouTube could highlight your expertise, create short, educational videos.
- If your business is notable enough for Wikipedia, make sure the information is accurate. If not, aim for coverage in authoritative publications that Wikipedia trusts.
- Active participation in Reddit communities is becoming crucial for visibility.
For product-based businesses:
OpenAI now allows product listings to appear directly in ChatGPT searches. If you sell products, make sure you are registered.
Why This Matters
AI is not the future. It is here, and it is already shaping the way customers discover businesses.
But here is the real question: Do you know if your business is even visible to ChatGPT? Do you know how many of your web visitors came from an AI platform in the past month?
If you cannot answer those questions, you are not alone. Most business owners cannot. And that is exactly the problem.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Our website audits look beyond traditional SEO to assess how well your site is prepared for AI visibility. And when we build new websites, SEO and LLMO are built in from the start.
If you want to make sure your site shows up for both Google and the AIs, get in touch with us. Whether you need a full audit or a brand new site, we will give you a clear roadmap to optimize your visibility everywhere your customers are looking.
