Crawling & indexing
We check Google can index your key pages and that robots.txt isn't blocking Googlebot or OAI-SearchBot, so your site can be used in AI answers at all.
AI search optimisation
AI Search Optimisation for Small Businesses
Be the business Google and the AI assistants recommend.
More of your customers now ask a question and read an answer, whether that's a Google AI Overview, AI Mode, ChatGPT search, Copilot, Gemini or Perplexity. Our AI search optimisation (you may hear it called AEO or GEO) makes sure your business is easy for those tools to find, understand and quote, while still ranking in the normal Google results. It isn't a trick or a shortcut. It's solid, well-organised SEO with a clear focus on answers, and it's the same approach we use to win enquiries for ourselves.
What is it
What does AI search optimisation involve?
AI answers are built from what is already on the web. Google says its AI features use the same index as normal Search, so a page needs to be indexed and eligible to show a snippet. ChatGPT search relies on OpenAI's search crawler, OAI-SearchBot, so blocking it in your robots.txt file keeps you out of its answers. If the tools can't reach you, nothing else matters.
After that, it's about being the clearest, most trustworthy source. That means accurate business details everywhere, helpful answers to the questions your customers really ask, reviews and mentions that back you up, and content that is easy to quote. Answer engine optimisation (AEO) and generative engine optimisation (GEO) are simply names for doing this well. We start with a check of where you stand today.
AEO and GEO services
What we work on for you
Clear business information
Who you are, what you do, where you work and how to contact you, stated plainly on your site so search engines and AI tools understand your business as an entity.
Structured data
Schema markup for your business, services, products and FAQs, kept accurate and matching what visitors can see on the page.
Consistent details across the web
Your name, address, phone number and services lined up across your Google Business Profile, directories and social profiles, so every source tells the same story.
Answers worth quoting
Pages and FAQs that answer real customer questions in clear, direct language, with headings and short summaries that are easy for people and AI tools to pick out.
Reviews, mentions & measurement
A steady plan for reviews and genuine mentions, plus GA4 reporting that shows visits from AI assistants and Search Console data for Google's AI features.
How we work
Our AI search optimisation process
01
AI search check
We test how Google and the main AI assistants describe and recommend you now.
02
Priorities
A plain-English plan: access and accuracy first, content and reputation next.
03
Implementation
We fix the technical gaps, tidy your details and write or improve key pages.
04
Measure & refine
Regular checks of AI answers, plus GA4 and Search Console reporting.
Why work with us
AI search optimisation we use on our own business
We don't treat AI search as a separate, mysterious discipline. We optimise for search across the board, traditional Google results and AI answers together, because the foundations are the same. We already deliver this for clients, and we win enquiries for Little Lion Digital from AI results using exactly the same approach.
We're also honest about what's possible. Nobody controls what an AI assistant says, and anyone promising guaranteed mentions is overselling. What we can do is make your business the clearest, best-supported answer available, and show you what's changing.
SEO and AI together
One joined-up plan for Google rankings and AI answers.
Small business focus
Practical priorities that fit your budget and your goals.
Tested on ourselves
We win our own enquiries from AI answers using this approach.
What our customers say
“Fantastic service! Our website updates were completed much faster than expected, with great attention to detail and excellent communication throughout. The whole process was smooth and professional, and we're extremely pleased with the results. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for website services.”
“Nothing is to much trouble, and always available to help.”
The work behind the results
Recent projects
We design great websites and carve out digital strategies to help your business grow online.
Brand, Shopify & SEO
Launching a houseplant ecommerce brand from zero
Results:
7,000 ranking keywords and 3,000 monthly visitors within 12 months of launch.
Ecommerce Migration, PPC & SEO
Migrating platforms while scaling traffic and ROAS
Results:
ROAS lifted to 380%; organic traffic up from 3,000 to 100,000 monthly visits.
SEO Strategy & Technical Consultancy
Consolidating two websites after an acquisition
Results:
500 backlinks protected, ~2,500 annual visitors saved during a business merger.
Branding & Website Design
Smiths Electrical: Bespoke Website Design & Development
Results:
A complete rebrand and website that showcases the client's project portfolio and expertise.
QUESTIONS
AI search optimisation FAQs
Straight answers about AEO, GEO and getting found in AI search.
Is AI search optimisation different from SEO?
Less than you might think. Google says its AI Overviews and AI Mode draw on the same index as normal Search, so good SEO is the foundation. AI search optimisation adds a sharper focus on clear business information, direct answers to questions, consistent details across the web and reviews and mentions. We treat it as one joined-up job, alongside our small business SEO services.
Can you guarantee my business will be mentioned by ChatGPT or Google's AI?
No, and you should be wary of anyone who does. Google is clear that indexing and appearing in its features isn't guaranteed, and AI answers change from one question and one day to the next. What we can do is remove the barriers, make your business the clearest and best-supported answer, and track how often you appear over time.
How long does AI search optimisation take to work?
Fixing access problems can make a difference quickly; OpenAI says robots.txt changes for its search crawler can take around 24 hours to be reflected. Content, consistent listings, reviews and mentions build up over months rather than weeks. Most businesses should think in terms of three to six months to see a clear pattern, with regular check-ins along the way.
How much does AI search optimisation cost?
It depends on the size of your site and how much needs doing. It's usually quoted with or alongside our Managed SEO, as the work overlaps. You'll find guide prices on our packages and pricing page, and we always give you an itemised quote before any work starts.
Do I need special files such as llms.txt?
Not for Google. Google says you don't need new machine-readable files, AI text files or special markup to appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode, and there's no special schema required. The things that do matter are being crawlable, indexed and eligible for a snippet, with accurate structured data that matches the page. For ChatGPT search, the key step is allowing OAI-SearchBot in robots.txt.
What are AEO and GEO?
AEO stands for answer engine optimisation and GEO for generative engine optimisation. Both describe helping your business appear in answers written by AI tools rather than just in a list of links. In practice they overlap heavily with good SEO, which is why we deliver them together rather than as separate, expensive add-ons.
How do I know if AI search is sending me visitors?
Visits that come from AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini or Perplexity usually show up as referrals in Google Analytics 4, so we set up a simple report to separate them out. Google includes clicks from AI Overviews and AI Mode in your Search Console performance data. We also check AI answers by hand for the questions that matter most to you.
Does this help with local searches?
Yes. Many AI answers for local services lean on the same signals as local SEO: an accurate Google Business Profile, consistent details, reviews and clear service pages. Our Google Business Profile optimisation and local SEO checklist are good places to start.
Ready to show up in AI answers?
Tell us about your business and we'll give you an honest view of how AI search sees you, and what would help most.
Claim Your Free SEO Audit
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