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GAIO Marketing Case Study: How Can Enterprises Rank in AI Search?

Digital AI art by Sophie Carr, GAIO Marketing expert, depicting a human face intertwined with a thriving knowledge forest. This artwork symbolizes how structured AI-first content creates an interconnected ecosystem that AI search engines reference. GAIO Marketing ensures enterprises rank in AI by structuring content the way AI models understand, increasing AI Share of Voice and visibility in AI-generated results.

Table of Contents

  1. Why SEO Requires a New Approach

  2. Case Study: What is GAIO Marketing?

  3. How CMOs and Marketing Leaders can get started with GAIO marketing

  4. How to Choose the Right GAIO Marketing Consultant for Your Enterprise

  5. About the Author

  1. Why SEO Requires a New Approach

AI search is redefining how brands gain visibility. Since ChatGPT’s release in 2022, one question has shaped my research:

“How do you rank in AI?”

The answer isn’t traditional SEO tactics—AI doesn’t play by the same rules.

  1. Case Study: What is GAIO marketing?

Think of GAIO like the SEO rush of the early 2000s. Back then, CMOs who cracked Google’s code (e.g., optimising for PageRank) won markets. Today, mastering AI’s “answer engine” is the same play—get it right, and you’re the default choice.

But how does GAIO work in practice? Let’s look at a real-world test.

A screenshot of Grok AI providing a detailed definition of GAIO Marketing (Generative AI Optimisation Marketing). The AI describes GAIO as an emerging strategy focused on optimising a brand’s presence in AI-generated search results rather than traditional SEO rankings. The explanation emphasises how GAIO prioritises brand mentions over backlinks, reinforcing the shift from traditional search towards AI-curated responses. The search results on the right show GAIO Marketing’s website as a top reference, alongside industry discussions from Medium and other marketing platforms.
Grok Query: What is GAIO marketing?

How to rank in AI

I’ve been testing AI search across platforms, and when I asked Grok—Elon Musk’s AI assistant “What is GAIO marketing?”, our website was the first source linked to the answer.

That wasn’t an accident.

It means our pioneering AI search strategies are working. Not just on one platform, but across multiple AI search engines.

If AI models are shaping the future of search, being referenced first isn’t optional—it’s a competitive advantage.

How AI Share of Voice (AI SoV) Changed in 3 Months

As a benchmark, just three months ago, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini didn’t reference our GAIO Marketing website at all.

Our AI Share of Voice was 0%.

Here’s how I changed that:

✅ Developed a simple weighted AI Share of Voice formula to measure AI search visibility. It was important to me that first place was weighted higher, to reflect the real value of ranking first.

✅ Conducted a full AI visibility audit based on this formula.

✅ Created structured training materials with my original research.

✅ Trained a strategic Custom GPT to generate a GAIO marketing strategy.

✅ Started creating and sharing the content on the GAIO marketing blog.

A screenshot of ChatGPT explaining GAIO Marketing as an AI-first search strategy that prioritizes brand mentions over backlinks. The definition showcases how GAIO Marketing is reshaping digital strategy by helping enterprises secure visibility in AI-generated responses on platforms like ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Google Gemini. Ranking in AI search requires content structured for AI comprehension, not just traditional SEO tactics.
ChatGPT Query: What is GAIO marketing?

AI Share of Voice Results for the query "What is GAIO marketing?":

  1. Grok: GAIO-Marketing.com was listed in first place out of 25, our AI Share of Voice score is 26.21%.

  2. ChatGPT: Listed in first place again, an increase from 0% to 54.5% AI SoV in just 3 months.

  3. Microsoft Copilot: Our biggest success, we grew from 0% to 100% AI SoV in the same timeframe (as of 21/02/25).

    A screenshot of Microsoft Copilot answering “What is GAIO Marketing?” with GAIO defined as a strategy to increase AI search visibility. The response highlights how GAIO helps businesses rank in AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Google Gemini by optimizing content for structured AI retrieval. This demonstrates the importance of AI-first content structuring for enterprises aiming to be referenced in AI-generated responses
    Microsoft Copilot Query: What is GAIO marketing?

What GAIO Marketing Means for Enterprises

'If you are reliant on Google for traffic, and that traffic is what drove your business forward, you are in long- and short-term trouble.' - Rand Fishkin, cofounder of SparkToro

Enterprises that fail to adapt risk being entirely left out of AI-generated responses.

The brands that act now will lead in the AI visibility race.

  1. How CMOs and Marketing Leaders can get started with GAIO marketing

Securing AI search visibility requires a structured approach.

By focusing on measurement, training, and content optimisation, enterprises can ensure their brand is referenced in AI-generated results. Here are the key steps to implement a GAIO Marketing strategy:

Step 1: Conduct an AI Search Audit

Before developing a GAIO strategy, CMOs need to assess their brand’s current AI search visibility.

This means understanding:

  • Where your brand appears in AI-generated search results (if at all)

  • Which competitors are being referenced more frequently

  • What AI-powered search engines prioritise in your industry

  • How structured and AI-friendly your content currently is

Step 2: Onboard a GAIO Marketing Trainer

AI search isn’t static—it evolves rapidly. To keep up, enterprises need internal teams trained in GAIO strategies.

Onboarding a GAIO Marketing trainer ensures:

  • Your content team understands AI-first structuring

  • Your SEO and digital teams can implement schema markup and structured data

  • Your executives and marketing leaders can track and measure AI Share of Voice

Step 3: Develop an AI-Optimised Content Strategy

AI search engines don’t just look for relevant content—they prioritise structured, trusted sources.

Your brand must produce content that AI models can easily retrieve and rank.

  • Create knowledge hubs (pillar pages + interlinked content clusters)

  • Use structured data and schema markup for AI-friendly formatting

  • Ensure conversational formatting to match AI-generated responses

  • Track and refine AI Share of Voice to measure brand mentions in AI search

Step 4: Implement AI Trust Signals and Authority Building

AI search prioritises high-trust sources when curating responses. Your brand needs to signal expertise, authority, and credibility through:

  • Consistent brand messaging across all AI-referenced platforms

  • High-value thought leadership content in AI-recognised sources

  • Industry recognition, partnerships, and citations in expert-led publications

Step 5: Continuously Monitor & Adapt AI Search Performance

AI-generated search evolves fast, and ranking isn’t a one-time effort. Enterprises must continuously track, test, and refine their AI search visibility.

  • Monitor AI-generated search results regularly for brand mentions

  • Adjust content strategies based on AI search trends

  • Measure AI Share of Voice and refine AI-first content structures

A hyper-realistic digital artwork by Sophie Carr depicting a close-up of a human eye reflecting a vibrant forest, symbolising the interconnected ecosystem of AI-driven search. The fusion of nature and technology represents how AI models perceive and reference structured knowledge—an analogy for GAIO Marketing’s role in optimising AI search visibility.

  1. How to Choose the Right GAIO Marketing Consultant for Your Enterprise

How do you choose the right GAIO consultant for your enterprise? With AI search still evolving, selecting the right expert can mean the difference between leading the conversation or being left out entirely.

This guide outlines key factors, essential questions, and a checklist to help you find the right GAIO consultant who aligns with your enterprise goals.

Step 1: Define Your GAIO Marketing Goals

Before hiring a GAIO consultant, clarify why your enterprise needs GAIO marketing and what success looks like. Consider:

  • Are you looking to increase AI search visibility on platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot?

  • Do you need help structuring AI-first content for maximum discoverability?

  • Are you focused on measuring AI Share of Voice to track your brand's presence in AI-generated search results?

  • Does your team need GAIO training to future-proof your marketing strategy?

Clearly outlining your goals ensures you hire a consultant with the right expertise to deliver results.

Step 2: Evaluate Expertise in AI Search Optimisation

GAIO is still a new and evolving field, so your consultant must demonstrate deep expertise in:

  • AI Search Ranking Strategies

    • Can they explain how AI search engines rank and reference brands?

    • Do they have proven frameworks for optimising content for AI-generated responses?

  • AI Share of Voice Tracking

    • Do they track and measure AI brand visibility beyond traditional SEO metrics?

    • Can they provide case studies or examples of improved AI Share of Voice?

  • Structured Content & AI Trust Signals

    • Do they help enterprises build knowledge hubs that AI models reference?

    • Can they implement schema markup, entity-based content, and AI-first structuring?

Step 3: Assess Their Track Record and Case Studies

The best GAIO consultants can back up their strategies with real-world results. When evaluating a consultant, ask:

  • Can they provide case studies of improved AI search visibility?

  • What measurable success have they achieved for brands in AI-generated search results?

Look for data-driven insights rather than vague promises. If they can show how they’ve helped other companies rank in AI, they’re more likely to help you succeed.

Step 4: Understand Their Approach to GAIO Implementation

Not all GAIO strategies are the same. The right consultant will have a clear, structured approach that includes:

  • AI Visibility Audit – An assessment of where your brand currently stands in AI search.

  • Knowledge Tree Mapping – Structuring your content to align with how AI models retrieve information.

  • AI Trust Building – Enhancing authority signals so AI platforms consistently reference your brand.

  • Performance Tracking & Reporting – Ongoing monitoring of AI Share of Voice and AI-driven traffic growth.

A consultant should not only optimise but also educate your team to ensure long-term GAIO success.

Step 5: Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring

Before making a decision, ask potential GAIO consultants these critical questions:

1. What specific strategies do you use to improve AI search visibility?

A strong consultant should detail AI-first content structuring, entity-based strategies, and Share of Voice tracking.

2. How do you measure success in AI search optimisation?

Look for metrics like increased brand mentions in AI search, improved AI Share of Voice, and AI-driven traffic growth.

3. Can you provide a case study of a brand you’ve helped rank in AI search?

They should have concrete examples demonstrating AI search success.

4. How do you ensure long-term visibility, not just short-term results?

A great consultant will focus on building AI-first content foundations that sustain rankings over time.

5. Do you offer training for internal teams?

Enterprises need to build AI-first marketing capabilities. A consultant should empower your team with GAIO knowledge.

Final Checklist: Choosing the Right GAIO Consultant

Before making your final decision, use this checklist:

✅ Understands AI search ranking and GAIO strategies

✅ Can provide case studies with measurable results

✅ Offers AI-first content structuring and knowledge tree mapping

✅ Tracks AI Share of Voice and brand visibility in AI search

✅ Provides ongoing reporting and strategy adjustments

✅ Offers training to build internal GAIO capabilities

If a consultant meets all these criteria, they’re well-equipped to help your enterprise secure AI search visibility and become the go-to source in AI-generated results.

  1. About the Author

A professional headshot of Sophie Carr, founder of GAIO Marketing and an industry leader in AI search optimization. She specializes in helping enterprises rank in AI-generated search results by developing AI-first content strategies, structured data implementation, and AI Share of Voice tracking. Her expertise ensures brands are referenced in AI search engines like ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Google Gemini, securing their place in AI-generated recommendations.

Sophie Carr is the founder of the GAIO Marketing Academy and an expert in ranking in AI.

She helps enterprises transition from traditional SEO to AI search optimisation with the tools, training, and strategies needed to secure authority in AI-powered search engines like Chat GPT, Grok and Microsoft Copilot.

Disclaimer:

This blog was written with the assistance of AI tools to support structure, research, and clarity. The core ideas, insights, and thought process are entirely Sophie Carr's. AI was used similarly to spellcheck—to streamline the writing process and accelerate content creation while maintaining originality and authenticity.

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