9 Best Services for ChatGPT & Perplexity SEO in 2026: Who Actually Gets You Cited?

Here’s what you need to know: getting cited in ChatGPT and Perplexity responses isn’t just nice to have anymore—it’s essential. AI search traffic converts at 4.4x the rate of traditional Google traffic, but only if people can actually find you in those AI-generated answers.

The best services for ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO in 2026 are Snezzi for hands-off, done-for-you optimization with AI agent networks, Otterly for enterprise-scale citation tracking across six AI platforms, and AthenaHQ for teams wanting proven 10x citation growth with self-serve tools. Each tackles the same problem—AI invisibility—but in different ways depending on whether you want full management, comprehensive monitoring, or DIY optimization.

The challenge? Most brands are completely invisible in AI responses. While 68.94% of websites now receive some AI traffic, getting consistently cited requires specialized optimization that traditional SEO doesn’t cover. You’re competing for mentions in synthesized answers where there’s no page two—you’re either cited or you’re not.

Here are the 9 best services for ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO in 2026:

1. Snezzi — Best for hands-off AI citation growth
2. Otterly — Best for enterprise citation tracking
3. Peec — Best for B2B SaaS competitive benchmarking
4. AthenaHQ — Best for proven citation growth
5. Surfer SEO — Best for unified Google & AI optimization
6. Ahrefs — Best for answer engine optimization (AEO)
7. Semrush — Best for AI Visibility Index tracking
8. Scrunch — Best for multi-brand AI tracking
9. SE Ranking — Best for agency multi-client tracking

What is ChatGPT & Perplexity SEO?

ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO—often called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—is the practice of optimizing your content and online presence to get cited in AI-generated responses. Unlike traditional SEO where you rank in a list of blue links, GEO focuses on becoming the source AI models reference when answering user questions.

Here’s the thing: AI search engines work fundamentally differently than Google. When someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity a question, these platforms synthesize information from multiple sources into a single answer. Perplexity cites sources in 97% of responses, while ChatGPT does so in only 16% of cases. Getting into that small percentage of cited sources means you’re reaching users at the exact moment they’re making decisions.

What makes this interesting is that traditional Google rankings don’t guarantee AI citations. Nearly 90% of ChatGPT citations come from URLs ranked position 21 or lower in Google—meaning your page one ranking might not help you here at all. AI models prioritize different signals: content depth, entity coverage, authoritative backlinks, and structured data matter more than keyword density.

The opportunity is massive. AI search platforms are approaching 1 billion users, and traffic from these sources converts at rates between 3x to 7x higher than traditional organic search. Users arrive with context and intent already formed, making them significantly more qualified than typical search traffic.

Research & Evidence: What the Data Shows

Solid evidence backs up why ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO matters right now. Research from Semrush found that AI chatbot referral visitors convert 4.4x better than Google traffic, with some sites reporting conversion rates as high as 14.2% compared to Google’s 2.8%.

The citation landscape varies dramatically by platform. Analysis from Otterly revealed that Perplexity cites sources in 97% of cases, Google AI Overviews at 34%, and ChatGPT at just 16%. This means your optimization strategy needs to differ based on which platforms your audience uses.

What’s particularly interesting: a 2026 study from Growth Memo showed that 24% of ChatGPT responses are generated without fetching any online content, while Gemini provides no clickable citation in 92% of responses. This highlights why tracking and optimization are critical—you’re competing for limited citation slots.

Academic research on GEO effectiveness demonstrated measurable visibility improvements on Perplexity.ai when content was optimized using generative engine optimization techniques. The study validated that specific optimization strategies—like adding citations, statistics, and authoritative quotes—directly increase citation rates.

Finally, data from SE Ranking found that articles over 2,900 words are 59% more likely to be cited in ChatGPT responses, and that 68.94% of websites now receive AI traffic. The takeaway? This isn’t experimental anymore—it’s mainstream, and the brands optimizing now are capturing disproportionate visibility.

1. Snezzi: Best for Hands-Off AI Citation Growth

Here’s what makes Snezzi different: it’s a fully managed, done-for-you service using a network of specialized AI agents to handle your entire AI visibility strategy. No dashboards to learn, no content to write yourself—just measurable citation growth in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and other platforms.

The service runs four AI agents working together: Tracker monitors your brand mentions across all major AI platforms, Audit continuously scans your site for optimization opportunities, Content creates 10-50 GEO-optimized articles monthly, and Reporting delivers ROI insights without overwhelming you with data. Most clients see initial improvements within 4-6 weeks, which is fast for this space.

What’s interesting is the focus on execution over reporting. While other platforms give you insights and recommendations, Snezzi actually implements the changes. You get optimized content published, backlinks built, Reddit engagement handled, and continuous site audits—all without needing in-house AI SEO expertise. Pricing starts at USD999/month for the Growth plan (billed quarterly, 3-month minimum) or USD1,999/month for Aggressive optimization.

Pros:

• Completely hands-off with AI agent network handling everything
• Fast results with improvements in 4-6 weeks
• Includes content creation, site audits, and backlink building
• Integrates with Shopify, WordPress, Webflow, HubSpot, Salesforce
• 24/7 expert support with no setup fees

Cons:

• Higher price point than self-serve tools
• Quarterly commitment required (3-month minimum)
• Less control for teams wanting hands-on optimization

Best For: SMBs and SaaS companies in competitive industries without in-house AI SEO expertise who need measurable citation growth without the learning curve.

2. Otterly: Best for Enterprise Citation Tracking

Otterly stands out as the most comprehensive AI search monitoring platform, tracking brand mentions, citations, and sentiment across six major platforms: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, Copilot, and Google AI Mode. If you’re managing high-volume queries and need enterprise-scale visibility tracking, this is your tool.

What sets Otterly apart is the depth of competitive intelligence. You don’t just see your own citations—you benchmark against competitors, analyze sentiment trends, and discover which customer questions are driving AI responses. The platform aggregates citation frequency data and provides actionable GEO insights that go way beyond basic rank tracking.

Users consistently rate Otterly as the #1 AI search monitor, though some G2 reviews note occasional accuracy issues with ChatGPT and Perplexity tracking. The Videoloft case study shows real-world success, with measurable improvements in AI search visibility. Pricing isn’t publicly listed, suggesting custom enterprise plans.

Pros:

• Covers six AI platforms in one dashboard
• Deep competitive benchmarking and sentiment analysis
• GEO query discovery tools reveal optimization opportunities
• Highly rated by enterprise users and agencies
• Identifies citation opportunities before competitors

Cons:

• Some users report occasional tracking accuracy issues
• Enterprise pricing not transparent
• Focused on monitoring rather than implementation

Best For: Enterprise brands and digital agencies tracking AI visibility across 100+ search prompts monthly who need comprehensive competitive intelligence.

3. Peec: Best for B2B SaaS Competitive Benchmarking

Peec AI specializes in helping B2B SaaS companies track and improve their position in AI search results through detailed analytics and competitor benchmarking. Trusted by 1,500+ marketing teams and backed by USD29M in funding, Peec focuses specifically on measuring share of chats, average position, and sentiment across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini.

What’s particularly useful here are the AI-suggested prompts and actionable strategy recommendations. Instead of just showing you data, Peec tells you exactly what to do—optimize your G2 reviews, boost digital PR, or target specific content gaps. For example, their CRM tracking shows visibility ranging from 47-65% for top brands, with average positions around 2.6 and sentiment scores hitting 90% positive.

The platform organizes custom prompts with tags, offers multi-country monitoring, and identifies key sources like G2, LinkedIn, and Reddit that drive citations. Reports export easily for team sharing via Slack, Notion, and Segment integrations. Recognized as a top 1% growth startup with endorsements from industry leaders like Lily Ray.

Pros:

• AI-generated strategy recommendations, not just data
• Custom prompt tracking organized by tags
• Multi-country monitoring for global brands
• Strong B2B SaaS focus with relevant benchmarks
• Trusted by 1,500+ marketing teams

Cons:

• Pricing not publicly disclosed
• Less comprehensive than Otterly for platform coverage
• Better suited for SaaS than e-commerce or local businesses

Best For: Marketing teams at B2B SaaS companies managing multiple brands in competitive categories who need detailed competitor benchmarking and actionable recommendations.

4. AthenaHQ: Best for Proven Citation Growth

AthenaHQ delivers the most impressive case study results in this space: 10x citation rate growth for Rootly, 11x AI Overview impressions for Lago (3% to 33%), and 23x citation growth for Grüns in just 60 days. If you want a platform with proven ROI, Athena’s track record speaks for itself.

The platform monitors visibility across 8+ AI platforms including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, and Grok. What makes it powerful is the combination of granular citation intelligence, AI blindspot detection, and self-improving content optimization workflows. The Citation Engine (ACE) provides authority insights, while the Prompt Planner helps you target high-volume queries strategically.

Athena’s advisory board includes former CMOs from Algolia, Estée Lauder, and PepsiCo, and the team has experience from Google DeepMind. In a 30-day benchmark test against competitors, Athena delivered a +45% net gain in AI citations. The Self-Serve plan starts at USD295/month (3,600 credits, with 67% off the first month), making it accessible for mid-sized teams.

Pros:

• Proven 10x citation growth with documented case studies
• Monitors 8+ AI platforms comprehensively
• Content optimization AI agent automates improvements
• Affordable self-serve option at USD295/month
• Strong team credentials from Google DeepMind and top CMOs

Cons:

• Self-serve requires more hands-on work than managed services
• Credit-based system may be confusing for some users
• Enterprise features require custom pricing

Best For: Marketing teams at SaaS and tech companies optimizing content for high-volume AI prompts who want proven results with self-serve tools.

5. Surfer SEO: Best for Unified Google & AI Optimization

Surfer SEO bridges traditional SEO and AI search optimization with one-click optimization for both Google SERPs and AI chats like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Trusted by 150,000+ content creators, Surfer’s built-in AI Tracker monitors citations while the Content Editor optimizes for entity coverage and content structure that AI models prefer.

What’s clever about Surfer is the unified workflow. You’re not managing separate strategies for Google and AI search—you optimize once, and the platform ensures your content performs across both. The Content Score feature helps achieve 20-30% faster ranking improvements, while Surfer AI generates ready-to-rank articles in minutes.

Users report 15% organic traffic growth in the first month, with strong ratings of 4.8/5 on G2 and 4.9/5 on Capterra. The platform integrates seamlessly with ChatGPT, WordPress, Google Docs, and Zapier. Multi-language support makes it valuable for global teams. Pricing isn’t listed publicly, but Surfer typically offers tiered plans for agencies and content teams.

Pros:

• One-click optimization for both Google and AI platforms
• AI Tracker built directly into content workflow
• Surfer AI generates optimized articles automatically
• 150,000+ user base with strong ratings
• Auto Internal Links and multi-language support

Cons:

• AI tracking is an add-on, not core feature
• Can be overwhelming for beginners
• Pricing requires contact for full details

Best For: Agencies and content teams producing 50+ articles monthly who need multi-platform visibility in AI responses and traditional search without managing separate tools.

6. Ahrefs: Best for Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)

Ahrefs brings its industry-leading SEO toolkit to AI search optimization with Brand Radar AI, a dedicated add-on that monitors brand mentions, citations, and sentiment across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Copilot. Used by 44% of Fortune 500 marketers, Ahrefs combines comprehensive backlink analysis with AI visibility tracking.

The Brand Radar AI add-on (starting at USD199/month) specifically tracks citations in real-time, while the core platform helps build the topical authority and content structure that AI models prioritize. The AI Content Helper and Grader optimize for entity coverage, and the Keywords Explorer provides AI-specific suggestions and keyword clusters.

What sets Ahrefs apart is the depth of competitive analysis. You can benchmark your AI visibility against competitors, analyze which backlinks drive citations, and identify content gaps. The platform is rated #1 SEO crawler worldwide per Cloudflare Radar, with 4.7/5 on Capterra and 4.5/5 on G2. Core plans range from USD129/month (Lite) to USD1,499/month (Enterprise) with annual commitment.

Pros:

• Brand Radar AI specifically tracks ChatGPT and Perplexity citations
• Industry-leading backlink analysis builds authority for AI citations
• Used by 44% of Fortune 500 companies
• Comprehensive competitor benchmarking
• Integrates with Google Search Console and ChatGPT/Claude via MCP

Cons:

• Brand Radar AI is an add-on (USD199+/month extra)
• Steep learning curve for new users
• Higher price point than specialized AI tools

Best For: Marketers optimizing for answer engine optimization (AEO) who need to track and improve AI search citations while analyzing competitors’ AI visibility with enterprise-grade tools.

7. Semrush: Best for AI Visibility Index Tracking

Semrush’s AI Visibility Toolkit combines traditional SEO power with dedicated tracking for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini citations. With 10M+ users who’ve tried the platform and 1.2M active users, Semrush brings enterprise credibility to AI search optimization through its proprietary AI Visibility Index and Narrative Drivers report.

The Narrative Drivers feature is particularly valuable—it reveals exact questions where competitors are cited in ChatGPT and Perplexity but your brand isn’t, offering targeted optimization opportunities. Semrush’s research shows that AI search visitors convert 4.4x better than traditional organic, and 85% of ChatGPT-cited pages also rank for keywords in Google.

The platform integrates AI visibility tracking with its full SEO suite, including keyword research with AI insights, backlink analysis, and content optimization recommendations specifically for GEO. Plans range from USD139.95/month (Pro) to USD499.95/month (Business), with Semrush One AI plans starting at USD199/month. The company offers a free AI SEO course via Semrush Academy.

Pros:

• Proprietary AI Visibility Index tracks performance over time
• Narrative Drivers reveal competitor citation gaps
• 10M+ users with strong enterprise adoption
• Free AI SEO training via Semrush Academy
• Integrates with Google Analytics, Search Console, WordPress, Shopify

Cons:

• AI features spread across multiple tools
• Can be expensive for small teams
• Overwhelming feature set for AI-only focus

Best For: Digital agencies and mid-sized SaaS/e-commerce brands managing 50k+ monthly organic traffic who want to boost AI citations alongside Google rankings with comprehensive analytics.

8. Scrunch: Best for Multi-Brand AI Tracking

Scrunch specializes in enterprise-grade AI visibility tracking with unique features like multi-brand/domain monitoring and an Agent Experience Platform (AXP) that creates AI-optimized versions of your site specifically for AI crawlers. Trusted by over 500 companies including Lenovo, Skims, Crunchbase, and Penn State, Scrunch focuses on direct optimization for AI agents.

What’s different here is the AXP feature—it serves AI-formatted content to crawlers while maintaining your regular site for human visitors. This addresses the fundamental challenge that AI models parse content differently than humans. Users report going from “invisible to cited alongside biggest players” in weeks, with some achieving 4x growth in AI acquisition and 9x increases in sign-ups from AI search.

The platform tracks citations and prompts in real-time across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude, with page audits that detect AI crawl errors. AI Search Trends show topic volumes and brand presence, while sentiment analysis and persona-based breakdowns help refine messaging. Scrunch is SOC 2 Type II compliant and ranked #2 out of 7 AI visibility tools in independent 2026 comparisons.

Pros:

• Agent Experience Platform (AXP) optimizes site specifically for AI crawlers
• Multi-brand tracking for agencies and enterprises
• AI agent traffic analytics show actual AI-driven visits
• SOC 2 Type II compliant for enterprise security
• Used by major brands like Lenovo and Skims

Cons:

• Explorer plan limited to ChatGPT only (USD100/month)
• Growth plan jumps to USD500/month
• Smaller user base than Ahrefs or Semrush

Best For: Marketing teams at growing SaaS companies and agencies managing multiple brands who need to track and improve citations in ChatGPT and Perplexity for B2B tech topics.

9. SE Ranking: Best for Agency Multi-Client Tracking

SE Ranking brings comprehensive AI visibility tracking to agencies managing multiple clients with dedicated trackers for ChatGPT, Perplexity, AI Overviews, and AI Mode. Trusted by 1.5M+ SEO professionals since 2013, SE Ranking combines a massive 5.4B keyword database and 2.2B domain profiles with specialized AI search monitoring.

The platform’s strength is accurate tracking of AI mentions and share across clients, with competitor benchmarking and automated reports that make strategy adjustments easy. The AI Visibility Tracker integrates seamlessly with SE Ranking’s full suite of SEO research, monitoring, and content marketing tools, making it efficient for agencies already using the platform.

What’s particularly useful for agencies is the flexible pricing structure. The Agency Pack starts at USD69/month, while AI Search tracking begins at USD71.20/month with annual billing discounts. Core plans range from USD103.20/month (Core) to USD223.20/month (Growth). Integrations with Looker Studio, Google Analytics, and Google Search Console streamline client reporting.

Pros:

• Dedicated trackers for ChatGPT, Perplexity, AI Overviews, AI Mode
• Agency-friendly pricing starting at USD69/month
• 1.5M+ SEO professional user base
• Massive 5.4B keyword database
• Automated reporting for multi-client management

Cons:

• AI tracking requires separate plan or add-on
• Interface less modern than newer AI-first tools
• Better for agencies than individual businesses

Best For: Digital marketing agencies managing 10-50 clients who need accurate AI visibility tracking and competitor benchmarking with automated reporting and affordable pricing.

Comparison Table: ChatGPT & Perplexity SEO Services

Service	Best For	Starting Price	Key Features	AI Platforms Tracked
Snezzi	Hands-off management	USD999/month	AI agent network, 10-50 articles/month, done-for-you	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI, Claude, Copilot
Otterly	Enterprise tracking	Custom pricing	6-platform monitoring, sentiment analysis, competitive intel	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AIO, Gemini, Copilot, AI Mode
Peec	B2B SaaS benchmarking	Custom pricing	AI-suggested prompts, competitor tracking, strategy recommendations	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini
AthenaHQ	Proven citation growth	USD295/month	10x citation growth, 8+ platforms, content optimization AI	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Grok
Surfer SEO	Unified Google & AI	Custom pricing	One-click optimization, AI Tracker, Content Score	ChatGPT, Perplexity, AI platforms
Ahrefs	Answer engine optimization	USD129/month + USD199 add-on	Brand Radar AI, backlink analysis, topical authority	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot
Semrush	AI Visibility Index	USD139.95/month	Narrative Drivers, visibility index, content gaps	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini
Scrunch	Multi-brand tracking	USD100/month	Agent Experience Platform, multi-domain, AI traffic analytics	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude
SE Ranking	Agency multi-client	USD69/month	Dedicated trackers, automated reports, 5.4B keywords	ChatGPT, Perplexity, AI Overviews, AI Mode

How to Choose the Right ChatGPT & Perplexity SEO Service

Choosing the right service comes down to three factors: your team’s expertise, your budget, and how hands-on you want to be.

If you want completely hands-off optimization, Snezzi is your best bet. The AI agent network handles everything from content creation to site audits to backlink building. You’ll pay more (USD999-1,999/month), but you’re getting a full team working on your AI visibility without needing to learn GEO yourself. This works best for SMBs and SaaS companies without in-house AI SEO expertise who need fast results.

If you’re managing enterprise-scale tracking, Otterly or Semrush make the most sense. Otterly covers six AI platforms with deep competitive intelligence, while Semrush adds the AI Visibility Index and Narrative Drivers that reveal exactly where competitors are beating you. Both handle high-volume queries and provide the analytics enterprise teams need for strategic decisions.

If you’re a B2B SaaS company, Peec’s focus on your specific market makes it valuable. The AI-suggested prompts and competitor benchmarking are tailored to SaaS categories like CRM software, with relevant metrics like share of chats and average position. The 1,500+ marketing team user base means you’re getting insights from peers in similar situations.

If you want proven ROI with self-serve tools, AthenaHQ’s case studies (10x citation growth for Rootly, 11x AI Overview impressions for Lago) demonstrate what’s possible. At USD295/month for the self-serve plan, it’s affordable for mid-sized teams who can handle the optimization work themselves with guidance from the platform’s AI agent.

If you’re already using traditional SEO tools, adding AI tracking to Surfer SEO, Ahrefs, or Semrush makes sense. You’ll get unified optimization for both Google and AI platforms without learning a completely new tool. Surfer’s one-click optimization is particularly efficient, while Ahrefs’ Brand Radar AI add-on integrates with your existing backlink and authority-building work.

If you’re an agency managing multiple clients, SE Ranking’s agency-friendly pricing (starting at USD69/month) and automated reporting make multi-client tracking manageable. Scrunch’s multi-brand features work well too, especially if you need the Agent Experience Platform for direct AI crawler optimization.

One thing to consider: citation rates vary dramatically by platform. Perplexity cites sources in 97% of responses, while ChatGPT only does so in 16% of cases. If your audience primarily uses Perplexity, you’ll see faster results than if they’re ChatGPT-heavy. Check your analytics to see which AI platforms are already sending you traffic (even if it’s minimal) and prioritize services that track those platforms well.

Budget matters, but so does speed to results. Snezzi reports improvements in 4-6 weeks, while self-serve tools like AthenaHQ or Surfer SEO might take 2-3 months depending on your team’s capacity. If you’re in a competitive industry where competitors are already optimizing for AI search, faster implementation through a managed service might be worth the premium.

Getting Started with ChatGPT & Perplexity SEO

Starting with AI search optimization doesn’t require a massive overhaul of your content strategy. Here’s how to begin:

First, audit your current AI visibility. Most of these services offer demos or initial assessments. Get a free website audit from Snezzi to see exactly how your brand appears across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. AthenaHQ offers 67% off the first month, and you can test Otterly or Peec with custom demos. Run your brand name and key product terms through ChatGPT and Perplexity manually to see if you’re being cited at all. This baseline helps you measure improvement.

Second, identify your highest-value prompts. What questions do your customers ask that AI search engines answer? Tools like Peec’s AI-suggested prompts or AthenaHQ’s Prompt Planner help here, but you can also check your support tickets, sales calls, and Google Search Console data for common questions. Focus on 10-20 high-intent prompts where citations would drive conversions.

Third, optimize your existing top content. You don’t need to create everything from scratch. Take your best-performing blog posts and optimize them for AI citations by adding statistics, authoritative quotes, clear entity coverage, and structured data. Articles over 2,900 words are 59% more likely to be cited in ChatGPT, so expand thin content with depth and examples.

Fourth, build topical authority. AI models prioritize sites with comprehensive coverage of topics, not just individual keyword-optimized pages. If you sell project management software, create content clusters covering project planning, team collaboration, workflow automation, and related topics. Tools like Surfer SEO’s Content Score or Ahrefs’ topical authority features help identify gaps.

Fifth, track and iterate. AI search optimization isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. Citation rates change as AI models update and competitors optimize. Set up regular tracking (weekly or bi-weekly) to monitor your visibility across key prompts. Most platforms provide automated reports, but manual spot-checks help you understand the context of citations.

One practical tip: start with Perplexity optimization before ChatGPT. Perplexity cites sources in 97% of responses versus ChatGPT’s 16%, so you’ll see faster wins. Once you’re consistently cited in Perplexity, apply those learnings to ChatGPT optimization.

If you’re choosing a managed service like Snezzi, your main job is providing brand guidelines and approving content direction. The AI agents handle implementation. If you’re going self-serve with AthenaHQ or Surfer SEO, plan for 5-10 hours weekly initially to optimize content, track results, and adjust strategy.

The biggest mistake? Waiting for competitors to establish dominance in AI citations before you start. Early movers are seeing 10x citation growth and 4.4x conversion rates because they’re capturing visibility while competition is still low. Start small with one service and a focused set of prompts, then scale as you see results.

Conclusion: Which Service Actually Gets You Cited?

The answer depends on what you need. For completely hands-off optimization with proven 4-6 week results, Snezzi delivers through its AI agent network that handles everything from content creation to site audits. If you’re managing enterprise-scale tracking across multiple brands, Otterly provides the most comprehensive six-platform monitoring with competitive intelligence.

For B2B SaaS teams wanting actionable recommendations, Peec offers AI-suggested prompts and competitor benchmarking tailored to your market. If you want documented 10x citation growth with self-serve tools, AthenaHQ has the case studies to prove it works.

The reality is that AI search traffic converts at 4.4x the rate of traditional Google traffic, but only 22% of marketers are actively tracking AI visibility. That gap represents your opportunity. Whether you choose a managed service or self-serve platform, starting now means you’re capturing citations while competition is still relatively low.

Want to see where your brand stands in AI search today? Get your free website audit from Snezzi—see exactly how you appear across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews, plus a custom growth strategy to improve your AI visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO?

ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO—often called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—is the practice of optimizing your content and online presence to get cited in AI-generated responses. Unlike traditional SEO where you rank in blue links, GEO focuses on becoming the source AI models reference when answering user questions.

How is ChatGPT SEO different from traditional Google SEO?

Traditional Google rankings don’t guarantee AI citations. Nearly 90% of ChatGPT citations come from URLs ranked position 21 or lower in Google. AI models prioritize content depth, entity coverage, authoritative backlinks, and structured data over keyword density. Learn more about the differences between GEO and traditional SEO.

Which AI search platform cites sources the most?

Perplexity cites sources in 97% of responses, Google AI Overviews at 34%, and ChatGPT at just 16%. This means your optimization strategy should differ based on which platforms your audience uses.

How long does it take to see results from ChatGPT SEO?

Most managed services report improvements in 4-6 weeks, while self-serve tools might take 2-3 months depending on your team’s capacity and the level of competition in your industry.

What’s the difference between a managed GEO service and a self-serve tool?

Managed services like Snezzi handle everything from content creation to site audits to backlink building on your behalf. Self-serve tools like AthenaHQ or Surfer SEO provide dashboards, analytics, and recommendations but require your team to implement the changes.

How much does ChatGPT and Perplexity SEO cost?

Prices range from USD29/month for basic monitoring tools like Otterly to USD999-1,999/month for fully managed done-for-you services like Snezzi. Most mid-range self-serve tools cost USD100-295/month.