AI Search
AI search is any search experience where a generative model answers the query directly instead of only listing links.
In detail
The retrieval step is still recognisably search: candidate pages are found, then read and summarised. What changes is the output — a written answer with a handful of citations.
Practically, this compresses the result page. Simple informational queries can be resolved without a click, while comparison, evaluation and buying queries still send people to sites.
Example
Asking "what is quality score" and receiving a written explanation with three cited sources instead of ten blue links.
Why it matters
Being one of the cited sources is the new equivalent of ranking, and it depends on being crawlable, clear and specific.
Common mistakes
- Writing for a keyword rather than for a question that can be answered in one paragraph.
- Burying the answer under an introduction nobody reads.
Related questions
Related articles
- How to Get Your Website Found in AI Search Results
A practical sequence for becoming a source AI answers can retrieve, quote and attribute — starting with the things that block you entirely.
- What Is AI SEO? How AI Is Changing Search in 2026
AI answers changed how search results are consumed, not how pages are assessed. Here is what actually changed, and what to do about it.
Related terms
- AI Overviews
AI Overviews are Google's generated summaries shown above traditional results for some queries, with links to supporting sources.
- Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
GEO is optimising content so generative answer engines can retrieve, understand, quote and attribute it correctly.
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
RAG is the pattern of retrieving relevant documents first and then having a language model answer using them.
- AI SEO
AI SEO means adapting search work to a results page where AI answers appear, and using AI responsibly in the work itself.
Related questions
- How can a website become visible in AI search?
Make sure the pages can be fetched and indexed, then make each page easy to quote: one clear topic, a direct answer early, descriptive headings, and facts stated plainly rather than implied.
- What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?
GEO is the practice of making content easy for generative answer engines to retrieve, quote and attribute. It overlaps heavily with SEO: crawlable pages, clear structure, unambiguous entities and factual precision.