Growth idea action plan
LLM search optimization (AEO)
Optimize your content to appear as a cited source in AI-generated answers from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.
Why this can grow a startup
AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews synthesize answers from multiple sources rather than ranking pages. Fewer than 10% of sources cited by AI engines overlap with top Google organic results, so traditional SEO alone is insufficient. Brands that earn third-party mentions, maintain fresh content (updated quarterly), and structure pages with clear entity data and citations get cited more often. Zero-click searches now account for 60% of all queries, making AI citation the new front door to discovery. B2B SaaS sites saw AI search traffic grow 127% in just three months in late 2025.
Key metric to watch
10% of sources cited in ChatGPT
Ian's take
From scaling consumer platforms across MENA and Southeast Asia, my default is to distrust growth work that only looks good in a slide. For SEO and AI search, I care less about clever keyword tricks and more about clarity. A reader, crawler, or AI search tool should quickly understand who this is for, why it works, what proof backs it, and what page deserves to be cited. I would run it small enough to learn quickly, then only scale the parts that real users repeat, save, reply to, or buy from. For this tactic, I would watch 10% of sources cited in ChatGPT before putting more time or budget behind it.
Action plan
- Define one narrow startup segment where llm search optimization (aeo) can create a measurable lift.
- Turn the tactic into one offer, page, campaign, or workflow for the SEO channel.
- Use the evidence from forbes.com to set the first version of the message, format, and audience.
- Launch a small test for 7 to 14 days with one success metric: 10% of sources cited in ChatGPT.
- Review the result, keep the winning message, remove weak variants, and turn the learning into a repeatable growth playbook.
Source-backed example
eMarketer reports fewer than 10% of sources cited in ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot rank in top 10 Google organic results — meaning traditional SEO won't guarantee AI visibility. Zero-click searches hit 60% in 2025 (77% on mobile). GEO is now a distinct discipline from SEO.
Source: forbes.com
GrowthDex source hub: forbes.com
Last checked: March 19, 2026
Adjacent tactics in the same lane
If this page is close to your problem, these tactic pages usually belong in the same working set.
- Multi-platform AI brand visibility audit same source · 1 shared channel · 1 shared stage
- SEO on competitor pain keywords 1 shared channel · 2 shared stages
- "Powered by" badge viral loop 1 shared channel · 2 shared stages
- Video-first content pivot 1 shared channel · 2 shared stages
Read GrowthDex essays
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Why this is worth your time
GrowthDex starts with tactics that founders, marketers, and product teams have actually tried. Each essay turns the evidence into a practical move you can test without pretending one case study is a guarantee.
Ian Goh has helped grow consumer platforms across Southeast Asia, India, and MENA. His work includes scaling Tiki to 100M+ users, doubling BIGO's MENA revenue in 7 months, and increasing OYO's direct booking share across 6 Southeast Asian markets.
- Helped scale Tiki to 100M+ users.
- Doubled BIGO's MENA revenue in 7 months.
- Raised OYO's direct booking share by 50% across 6 Southeast Asian markets.
Want help turning this into a growth system?
If you want someone to pressure-test this against your real market, Ian works with founders on growth, market entry, and operator-led distribution.
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