Google Rankings Do not Ensure ChatGPT Visibility
A recent study by Chatoptic, published on September 10, 2025, reveals a surprising disconnect between traditional search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility in AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT.
Despite the common belief among SEO professionals that dominating Google’s search rankings guarantees prominence in AI-generated answers, the research shows only a 62% overlap between brands ranking on Google’s first page and those mentioned in ChatGPT responses.
This finding challenges the assumption that SEO tactics alone can secure visibility in generative AI platforms, highlighting the emergence of a new field: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
The study analyzed 15 brands across five categories—online courses, web hosting, and hotel booking, among others—and found almost no correlation (0.034) between Google rankings and ChatGPT visibility.
For instance, brands like Coursera (86–87% overlap) and GoDaddy (83%) appeared frequently in both Google and ChatGPT, while Hostinger (32–34%) and edX (47–48%) showed much lower alignment.
Online courses had the highest overlap at 65%, while hotel booking lagged at 58%. Interestingly, enabling ChatGPT’s browsing feature only marginally increased alignment with Google results by 1%.
The study also noted that query intent—whether exploratory, feature-based, or brand-seeking—had little impact, with overlap consistently around 61–63%.
This development is significant for businesses and marketers who rely heavily on SEO to drive traffic. The findings suggest that excelling in Google rankings does not automatically translate to visibility in AI platforms like ChatGPT, which prioritize different signals for generating answers.
As AI-driven search gains traction, businesses must adapt by developing GEO strategies tailored to how AI models process and prioritize content.
This could involve creating more conversational, context-rich content or leveraging structured data to better align with AI preferences.
For users, this shift underscores the evolving nature of online search, where AI platforms may deliver different results than traditional search engines, potentially affecting how they discover brands or services.
As GEO emerges as a distinct discipline, businesses that fail to adapt risk losing visibility in the rapidly growing AI search landscape, making it critical to rethink digital marketing strategies.
FAQ
What is GEO in the context of AI search?
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing content to improve visibility in AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, distinct from traditional SEO for search engines like Google.
Does ranking high on Google help with ChatGPT visibility?
Not necessarily. A study found only a 62% overlap between Google’s first-page rankings and ChatGPT mentions, indicating that SEO alone isn’t enough for AI visibility.
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