Understanding AI Search vs. Traditional SEO
Unlike traditional search engines, there's no "Google Search Console equivalent" for LLMs. You can't see search volume data or what queries people are actually asking AI tools. This means you need to be strategic and proactive about what you track.
Our recommendation: Start with your existing SEO keyword strategy as your baseline. The keywords you're already tracking and optimizing for in Google are likely the same topics people are asking AI tools about.
Getting Started: 5 Topics, 10 Prompts Each
We recommend starting with 5 topics and approximately 10 prompts per topic. This gives you enough coverage to understand your visibility without becoming overwhelming to manage.
Example Topic & Prompt Structures
Example 1: DTC Skincare Brand (focusing on retinol products)
Topic 1: Best Retinol Products
What's the best retinol serum for beginners?
Which retinol products do dermatologists recommend?
What are the top-rated retinol creams for anti-aging?
Topic 2: Retinol vs. Alternatives
Is retinol better than bakuchiol?
Retinol vs. retinal: which is more effective?
Should I use retinol or vitamin C serum?
Topic 3: Retinol Usage & Application
How often should I use retinol serum?
How to layer retinol with other skincare products
Can I use retinol with niacinamide?
Topic 4: Retinol for Specific Concerns
Best retinol for hyperpigmentation and dark spots
What retinol product helps with large pores?
Retinol recommendations for mature skin over 50
Topic 5: Retinol Brand Comparisons
[Your Brand] vs. The Ordinary retinol: which is better?
Is [Your Brand] retinol worth the price?
[Your Brand] vs. Drunk Elephant retinol comparison
Example 2: DTC Activewear Brand (focusing on leggings)
Topic 1: Best Leggings for Workouts
What are the best leggings for HIIT workouts?
Which leggings are best for yoga?
Best running leggings that don't slide down
Topic 2: Legging Features & Materials
What makes leggings squat-proof?
Best moisture-wicking leggings for sweating
Are high-waisted leggings better for working out?
Topic 3: Leggings for Body Types
Best leggings for curvy women
What leggings are most flattering for plus-size?
Best leggings for petite women that don't bunch
Topic 4: Leggings vs. Competitors
[Your Brand] vs. Lululemon: are they worth it?
How does [Your Brand] compare to Athleta leggings?
[Your Brand] vs. Gymshark leggings quality
Topic 5: Everyday & Athleisure Leggings
Best leggings to wear as pants for errands
What are the most comfortable leggings for lounging?
What leggings can I wear for both gym and everyday?
Example 3: DTC Coffee Subscription Brand
Topic 1: Best Coffee Subscriptions
What's the best coffee subscription service?
Which coffee subscription has the highest quality beans?
Best affordable coffee subscription boxes
Topic 2: Coffee Brewing Methods
What's the best coffee for pour over?
Which coffee beans are best for French press?
Best coffee for espresso machines at home
Topic 3: Coffee Bean Origins & Roasts
What's the difference between light and dark roast?
Best Ethiopian coffee beans to try
Which coffee origin has the most flavor notes?
Topic 4: Coffee for Specific Preferences
Best low-acid coffee for sensitive stomachs
What's the strongest coffee with most caffeine?
Best decaf coffee that actually tastes good
Topic 5: Brand Comparisons & Value
Is [Your Brand] better than Blue Bottle?
[Your Brand] vs. Trade Coffee: which subscription is better?
How does [Your Brand] compare to local roasters?
Tips for Creating Your Topics & Prompts
Use Your SEO Keywords as a Foundation
Review your current keyword rankings in Google Search Console
Identify your top 20-30 keywords by traffic and impressions
Group related keywords into topic clusters
Transform keywords into natural questions people would ask AI
Balance Your Prompt Types
Informational Prompts (50-60%):
"What's the best [product] for [use case]?"
"How do I [accomplish task] with [product]?"
"Which [product type] is best for [specific need]?"
Comparison Prompts (20-30%):
"[Your Brand] vs. [Competitor]"
"Is [Your Brand] better than [Alternative]?"
"[Product A] or [Product B]: which should I choose?"
Navigational Prompts (10-20%):
"What makes [Your Brand] different?"
"Is [Your Brand] worth the price?"
"Why choose [Your Brand]?"
Think Like Your Customer
Consider the customer journey:
Awareness stage: "What is [product category]?"
Consideration stage: "Best [product] for [specific need]"
Decision stage: "[Your Brand] vs. [Competitor]"
Monitor and Refine
After your initial setup:
Review which prompts generate the most valuable insights
Add new prompts based on customer questions you receive
Remove or modify prompts that aren't providing useful data
Update prompts quarterly to reflect seasonal trends or new products
Don't Worry About Slight Variations
Important: LLMs aggregate similarly worded responses, so you don't need to track every possible variation of the same question.
For example, you don't need separate prompts for:
"What's the best retinol serum?"
"What is the best retinol serum?"
"Best retinol serum?"
These will all generate similar responses from AI tools. Focus on covering different topics and angles rather than creating multiple versions of the same question. This is why 10 well-crafted, diverse prompts per topic is more valuable than 50 nearly-identical variations.
Getting the Most Value from AI Visibility
Remember: you're building an understanding of how AI perceives and recommends products in your category. Start with your proven SEO strategy, then expand based on what you learn. The brands that win in AI search will be those that consistently track, analyze, and optimize their AI presence, just as they do for traditional SEO.