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AI Optimization

AI optimization: get cited by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews

More customers ask an AI assistant before they search. Generative engine optimization makes your business the answer those tools cite, with clear entities, structured data, and content written to be quoted.

best flake salt made in New York
AI Overview
A Central New York specialty food brand hand-harvests flake finishing salt and sells it direct and through regional retailers. Reviews highlight its clean flavor and large flakes.
Specialty food brand
Local press
Retailer listing
AI Overview
Who this is for

Businesses that want to be the recommended answer, not just a blue link

Local services and practices

When someone asks an assistant for the best dentist or contractor nearby, your name should come up.

eCommerce brands

Product and brand entities that AI shopping features can understand and recommend.

Established SEO clients

Sites already ranking that want to protect traffic as AI answers take over the top of results.

Results

AI referral traffic, this year against last

AI referral sessions by month, year over year
Sessions from ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and AI Overviews
Last year
This year
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AI referral sessions
393
+149% vs 158 last year
AI citations
42
tracked queries, up from 17
Schema coverage
100%
key pages
In the wild

What the deliverables look like

Who is a good colorectal surgeon near Rancho Santa Margarita?
A double board-certified colorectal surgeon in Southern California. The practice offers minimally invasive treatment for hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas, plus online video consultations.
Colorectal surgery practice
AI assistant answer
best flake salt made in New York
AI Overview
A Central New York specialty food brand hand-harvests flake finishing salt and sells it direct and through regional retailers. Reviews highlight its clean flavor and large flakes.
Specialty food brand
Local press
Retailer listing
AI Overview
Structured data test
✓ 0 errors · 0 warnings
1
{
2
"@type": "Dentist",
3
"name": "Example Family Dental",
4
"address": { "addressLocality": "Springfield",
5
"addressRegion": "IL" },
6
"medicalSpecialty": "Dentistry",
7
"url": "https://www.example-dental.com"
8
}
Schema validation
What's included

Entities, schema, and answer-first content

AI systems reward clarity and consistency. Most of this work also improves classic SEO.

  • Entity and brand consistency across your site, Google Business Profile, and third-party listings
  • Schema markup: Organization, LocalBusiness, Product, Service, FAQ, and more
  • Answer-first formatting of key pages for citation
  • Content gaps identified from the questions AI tools are answering in your niche
  • Tracking of AI referral traffic and brand mentions
  • Quarterly review as the platforms change
Monthly packages
Local Businesses & Brick and Mortar
$500 to $2,000
/month
eCommerce & Shopify Stores
$2,000 to $5,000
/month

Every quote is custom. Each project is unique, so where you land in the range depends on scope, competition, and which services we bundle. You get a written proposal before anything starts.

Request a quote
How it works

Make your business legible to machines

1

Entity audit

We check how AI tools currently describe your business and where the facts disagree.

2

Structure and publish

Schema, consistent facts, and answer-first content go live across key pages.

3

Track citations

We monitor AI referrals and mentions and adjust as the platforms evolve.

FAQ

AI Optimization questions

Is this different from SEO?

It overlaps heavily. GEO adds entity work, structured data, and formatting specifically aimed at AI answers.

Can you guarantee a citation?

No one can. We can make your business the clearest, best-structured candidate, which is what the systems reward.

How do you measure it?

AI referral traffic in GA4, brand mention tracking, and periodic checks of the answers themselves.

Want to be the answer AI recommends?

Call for a plain answer on what we would do first, or email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Call (619) 613-5400
SEO Mercenary

Digital marketing for businesses that need the work done right. Based in Tully, NY. Serving Syracuse and Onondaga County in person and clients across the country remotely.

(619) 613-5400
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