Optimizing for Generative Search: Top GSO Tracking Tools

Generative search optimization (GSO) is a new marketing methodology all about improving your visibility on AI tools like:

1. ChatGPT
2. Perplexity 
3. Claude 
4. Google’s AI Overviews 
5. Bing’s Copilot

It’s an offshoot of traditional SEO (search engine optimization), which focuses on improving rankings on search engines like Google and Bing. 

Since generative search is relatively new, marketers are in desperate need of GSO tools to track and monitor their optimization efforts. 

In particular, they need help tracking their visibility in prime AI features like source panels:

In-text citations are also important like this example from Perplexity:

Brand mentions and suggestions are also powerful:

Marketers also need reliable ways to track behavior metrics like engagement, dwell time, and scroll depth to ensure their content also performs well with their target audience. 

So, which tools will help you track these AI-powered search features and user behaviors?

You’ll have to keep reading to find out! 

Top Tools for Tracking AI Overviews and AI Search 

Traditional SEO platforms like Ahrefs and Semrush have been incorporating AI visibility features into their toolkits. 

So, if you’re already a subscriber to a service like Ahrefs to track your SEO, you can start using it to monitor your visibility in Google AI Overviews. 

How?

Here’s a quick overview. 

Using Ahrefs to monitor AI Overviews

First, log in to your Ahrefs account and enter your URL into its Site Explorer tool. 

After that, venture to Organic Keywords under Organic Search on the left-hand sidebar. 

Once there, click Add Filter and select SERP Features. 

From here, you can select which SERP features you want to add to your keywords report. Select AI Overview and hit Apply. 

Now, you’ll be able to see which keywords are triggering AI Overviews (noted by a star symbol next to each qualifying keyword):

Track AI Answers: tracking brand perception on AI language models

So, that’s one way to keep track of AI Overviews, but what about visibility on other generative AI tools?

Track AI Answers is an option, as it lets you know what different AI language models know and think about your brand. 

While it won’t clue you in on how often your brand gets mentioned, you will gain insights into how your brand is perceived by AI tools, which can be valuable.

The tool is free, but you will have to register your email address to gain access to all its features. 

Keyword.com’s upcoming AI Brand Monitoring tool 

Since we’re still so early in GAI-powered search’s lifecycle, many tools have yet to be released. This is the case for Keyword.com’s AI Brand Monitoring tool, as it’s still on a waitlist. 

It’s worth mentioning though because it promises to be an all-inclusive brand monitoring tool for major GAI platforms, enabling you to centralize your GSO efforts. 

As you can see, the tool will let you know which of your web pages are getting cited in GAI tools (and how often), which is exactly what GSO campaigns need. 

In the meantime, you can use Keyword.com’s Google AI Overviews tracker, and it offers a 14-day free trial.

Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

The last two tools we’ll look at are free offerings from Google that track search engine position rankings and user behavior. 

Why are these in a GSO tools list?

They are because high search rankings and domain authority positively impact brand visibility on AI tools. 

Don’t believe us?

Just ask ChatGPT or any other GAI tool, and they’ll let you know about the importance of strong SEO:

Here, ChatGPT lets us know that AI tools pull information from top-ranked content online. It also mentions the importance of E-E-A-T, which is crucial for maintaining high-quality content. 

This means traditional SEO and GSO are intrinsically linked. 

The better your SEO is, the stronger your GSO will be, and vice versa. 

Google Search Console is the #1 tool for monitoring keyword position rankings and keeping your site free of indexing errors. Google Analytics 4, on the other hand, is the best at tracking user behaviors like average engagement time, unique user scrolls, and conversions. 

In other words, GSC is your secret weapon for catering to Google’s algorithm, and GA4 helps you improve your relationship with your target audience. 

Both are extremely important, especially your audience’s perception of your brand. 

After all, all the visibility on AI tools in the world won’t matter if your audience isn’t buying what you’re selling! 

Manual Checks vs. Automated Tools: The Best of Both Worlds 

Using tools isn’t the only way to keep track of your GSO efforts. 

You can also manually check your visibility by entering some of your target keywords into GSO tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. 

If your brand gets cited in some responses, you know that you’re on the right track. 

If, instead, your brand is nowhere to be found, it’s a clear sign you have some work to do. 

As an example, let’s say you run a pizza place in St. Petersburg, FL, and a keyword you rank well for is ‘affordable pizza st. petersburg.’

You’re consistently in the top 3 organic results on Google, and you appear in the Local Pack. 

Yet, how do you know if GAI tools are feeling the same love for your brand?

All you have to do is enter the same keyword into a GAI tool to find out, like Perplexity:

Here, it’s clear that Toby’s Original Little Italy Pizza is doing GSO right. It certainly helps that they have a high rating out of five stars, which is a staple of Google Business Profile optimization. 

Our point is that you shouldn’t always rely on automated tools to monitor your visibility. Sure, they’re excellent for saving time, but they are prone to errors (like any tool is). That’s why sometimes the best thing you can do is start poking around AI tools to see if your brand pops up. 

Comparing the GSO Tools Available Today 

Before we wrap up, let’s compare the GSO tools we went over based on a few factors. 

We’ll exclude GSC and GA4 since they’re traditional SEO tools:

Final Thoughts: Emerging GSO Platforms to Watch 

While GSO tracking tools are still in their infancy, there are plenty of ways to monitor your visibility on GAI search tools. 

Platforms like Surfer and Clearscope are working on new AI features every day, so we’re bound to see lots of exciting new tools emerge soon. 

In the meantime, the tools and methods mentioned in this article will help you optimize your GSO campaigns. 

Do you need help developing an SEO and GSO strategy?

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