AI Overview: ChatGPT Cites Your Competitors, Never You. Here’s Why.
- AI is changing how customers find businesses. People now ask ChatGPT or Perplexity for recommendations instead of clicking through Google results. This is why brands should know what is GenAI.
- Schema markup gets you cited by AI. Adding structured code to your website tells AI what your content means. Schema-enabled pages reach the top position in AI Overviews, while competitors without it don’t appear at all.
- Brand mentions across the web build AI credibility. Businesses in the top web mentions receive more AI visibility, making citations in industry publications, Reddit threads, and review platforms a non-negotiable for AI engines to consider you authoritative.
- AI prefers specific, citation-worthy content. Original data like specific statistics with proper context in your location, and direct answers in the first 40 to 60 words under headers, make your content more likely to be referenced than generic statements.
What is GenAI?
To fully understand what is GenAI, let’s start with what changed in search.
Traditional Google search (what you’re used to):
You type “best plumber Brunswick” into Google. You get 10 blue links to plumber websites. You read reviews of the top results and maybe call your preferred one.
AI search (what’s happening now):
Someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity: “I have a leaking tap under my kitchen sink in Brunswick. What’s causing this, and who should I call?”
The AI responds with: “The leak is likely from a worn washer or loose connection. You’ll need a licensed plumber. Based on reviews and proximity, here are three options:” and then lists three businesses by name.
The person calls one of those three directly. They never even visit Google in the process. They never see your website, even if you rank #1.
So what exactly is generative AI?
Generative AI (GenAI) is technology that creates new content: text, images, code, or answers, by learning patterns from billions of existing examples. It reads millions of websites, learns what makes a good answer, then generates responses by predicting what information would be most helpful.
It’s like a software that reads the entire internet and can now write, research, analyse, and even answer questions based on everything it’s learned.
Is ChatGPT a generative AI?
Yes. ChatGPT is the most well-known generative AI tool, specifically designed for conversations and answering questions. But it’s not alone. Other major players include:
- Google Gemini (which powers AI Overviews)
- Perplexity (popular with researchers)
- Claude (known for detailed analysis)
- Microsoft Copilot (integrated with Bing)
Look at these platforms as the ultimate search engines for recommendations. When someone asks “who should I hire?” or “what should I buy?”, the AI makes suggestions based on who it considers most authoritative and relevant.
If you’re not showing up as credible in the AI’s training data, you simply don’t exist to these potential customers.
According to Similarweb’s analysis, zero-click searches for news increased from 56% when AI Overviews first launched in May 2024 to nearly 69% in May 2025.
If you rank in the top positions on Google, you’re likely seeing significantly less traffic even though your rankings haven’t changed. Research from Ahrefs found a 34.5% decrease in click-through rate when an AI Overview appeared.
The other side of the coin is that businesses that are getting cited in AI Overviews and ChatGPT responses report higher quality leads and better conversion rates. Why? Because people arrive more informed and ready to make a decision. The opportunity is real. Most businesses haven’t adapted yet, which means early movers gain a significant advantage.
What Aspects Should Be Documented in GenAI Deployment
This documentation serves two purposes: it helps you troubleshoot quickly when something goes wrong, and it protects you if compliance questions arise from regulators or clients.
- Start with business decisions. Record exactly which tasks you’re using AI for. Be specific. “Customer service emails” work better than vague “communications.” Assign who’s responsible for reviewing AI output before it goes live. Set your budget and expected ROI so you can measure whether the investment pays off.
- Establish your quality control and assignment process. Who checks AI-generated content before customers see it? How does AI need to match your brand voice?
- Track performance monthly. Record time saved on specific tasks, quality metrics like customer satisfaction, cost comparisons against previous solutions, and regular audits of AI output accuracy.
How to Appear in AI Overviews? Start with Schema Markup
Schema markup is code that tells AI exactly what your content means. Without a schema, AI sees “Person A” and doesn’t know if that’s your CEO or your marketing head. With schema, AI knows “Person A is the Director, with 15 years of experience, licenced in Sydney.”
This matters more than most businesses realise. In controlled experiments, only the page with a well-implemented schema appeared in an AI Overview and achieved the best organic ranking, reaching as high as Position 3 (source)
Schema types for Australian businesses:
- Organisation schema tells AI who you are: business name, logo, contact details, business number, and social media profiles.
- LocalBusiness schema is critical for “near me” searches. It includes your physical address, service areas, opening hours, and contact information.
- FAQ schema is particularly valuable because AI loves pulling direct question-and-answer pairs. This often appears word-for-word in AI responses.
- Product or Service schema covers what you offer: descriptions, pricing (if you’re transparent about it), and reviews or ratings.
How to implement schema:
The easiest approach uses plugins. WordPress users can install Rank Math or Schema Pro. Shopify stores work well with JSON-LD for SEO. Wix sites have built-in SEO Wiz. Implementation takes about 30 minutes.
If you prefer the DIY route, visit a schema.org generator, fill in your business details, copy the generated code, and paste it into your website’s header section. Budget a significant amount of time for this strategy.
For massive e-commerce or multi-location businesses, hiring a developer for a comprehensive schema may be expensive, but it guarantees it’s done properly.
After implementation, don’t forget to test your schema using Google’s Rich Results Test. To do this, simply enter your URL, check for errors, and fix any issues flagged.
How to Appear in ChatGPT Search Results
AI engines need clear and quick answers. If your content rambles before getting to the point, AI skips you for a competitor who answers directly. This is a crucial information in what is GenAI.
To do this, start with a question as your H2 header, and provide a direct answer in the first 40-60 words with specific details. Then, add supporting context and examples. Supporting details can include factors that affect the price range, examples of different transaction types, and instances where costs might be higher or lower, as applicable to you.
Actionable Tip:
Audit your top 10 pages and check each H2 header. Does the answer appear in the first 60 words beneath it? If not, restructure your content.
How to Rank in GenAI
Now that you know what is GenAI, you’re finally ready to learn how to appear in AI search. Research covering 75,000 brands found that those in the top 25% for web mentions receive 10x more AI visibility than others. It matters since, aside from looking at your website, AI engines scan the entire internet to determine if you’re credible. Brand mentions across multiple authoritative sources act as trust signals that tell AI you’re worth citing.
- Target one to two mentions per quarter in industry-specific publications relevant to your sector. Local newspapers also carry weight, especially for service businesses.
- It’s also crucial to use community platforms consistently. On Reddit, start by joining relevant subreddits like r/AusFinance for financial services or r/AustralianSmallBusiness for B2B services. Build karma first through genuine comments over two to three weeks, then share your expertise without selling. Reference your content only when it genuinely helps answer someone’s question. Quora is also cited by Google AI overviews alongside Reddit.
- Finally, set up an account in directories and review sites. Once you get them up and running, maintain them regularly. Google Business Profile is non-negotiable. Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) must be consistent across all listings. Also include your Australian business hours in AEST/AEDT, add high-quality photos, and actively generate reviews from satisfied customers.
How to Create Content AI Engines Want to Cite
AI cites content with specific, verifiable information it can’t generate on its own. So what makes content citation-worthy?
- Original data stands out. Customer surveys, industry benchmarks, case study results, or pricing analysis all qualify. This is your competitive moat as AI can’t fabricate your data.
- Specific statistics convince AI. Always use current year data with clearly cited sources. Include the Australian context wherever relevant, as AI struggles with regional specificity.
- Structure helps AI extract information. When it comes to how to appear in AI overviews, add a TL;DR summary at the top. Use descriptive headers. Keep paragraphs short: two to three sentences maximum.
To better learn how to appear in AI search, compare these examples:
Generic: “Many businesses struggle with cash flow management.”
Citation-worthy: “Our survey of 500 Australian SMEs found 67% experienced cash flow problems in Q1 2025, with late payments averaging 43 days overdue. Brisbane businesses reported the highest rate at 72%.”
Optimise for Conversational Queries
People ask AI questions differently from how they search on Google. Considering this, your content needs to match this conversational pattern. Create FAQ sections that use natural language questions your customers actually ask. Mine your customer service emails and chat logs for these because they’re gold for AI optimisation.
How to Track Your AI Visibility
You can’t improve what you don’t measure, so tracking is key so you can continuously optimise what’s not working, and bank on what’s getting you results. Here’s how you can do this:
- Set up Google Analytics 4 tracking
- Monitor manually each week (in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude)
- Use tools such as HubSpot’s AEO Grader, Google Search Console (it now tracks AI Overview appearances), and other platforms
Track the following:
- Brand mentions in AI responses
- Citation frequency across different platforms
- Sentiment of those mentions
- How you compare to competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GenAI in simple terms?
When discussing what is GenAI, it’s important to know that it’s a technology that creates new content by learning patterns from existing examples. It can write text, generate images, or answer questions based on billions of pieces of information it’s been trained on. ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, and Perplexity are all examples of GenAI tools.
How does generative AI work in simple terms?
Generative AI reads massive amounts of content from across the internet. It learns patterns about how language works and what makes good answers. When you ask a question, it predicts the most helpful response based on those patterns.
Will GenAI replace Google search?
No, but it’s changing how search works. Google still handles the vast majority of searches in Australia, but more of those searches now end without a click because AI Overviews answer questions directly on the search page.
Traditional search and AI search will coexist, but businesses need to optimise for both.
How long does it take to appear in AI search results?
Most organisations see initial AI citations within 5 weeks of implementing proper optimisation. Building consistent, high-frequency citations typically requires around 6 months of sustained effort. Notably, the timeline depends on your industry competition.
Do I need to stop using traditional SEO tactics?
Not at all. Traditional SEO and AI optimisation work together. In fact, 60-70% of top search results on Perplexity strongly correlate with Google.
The window for early-mover advantage in AI search is open right now, but it won’t stay that way forever. While your competitors are still wondering what is GenAI, you could be the business that ChatGPT recommends when someone asks for help in your industry. You could be the name that appears in Google’s AI Overviews, and you could be building the brand mentions and authority that compound month after month. At Olivetree Marketing, we know which tactics deliver results quickly and which ones waste time. You don’t need to figure this out what is GenAI alone or experiment and hope you’re doing it right. Contact us today if you’re curious how we can help you.
