Summary:
Startups are developing AI-driven SEO tools to help brands influence how information is gathered and presented by AI models
Athena, with $2.2M in funding, helps over 100 clients understand and improve their visibility across AI platforms
Profound has raised over $20M to track AI chatbot interactions with brands, serving clients like Chime
Google's new AI features are reducing traditional website links, pushing brands to adapt to AI-driven search
Scrunch AI's efforts have led to a 9% increase in sign-ups for some clients, highlighting the potential of AI optimization
A wave of new startups is capitalizing on the shift from traditional Google searches to AI-driven information discovery, as tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity change how people find answers online. These companies are developing next-generation search engine optimization (SEO) tools to help businesses influence how AI models collect and present brand information.
The Changing Landscape of Search
Andrew Yan, co-founder of Athena, highlights the rapid evolution from Google's dominance to a more fragmented search environment. Athena, which recently secured $2.2 million in funding, assists brands in navigating how different AI models source information, aiming to enhance their online visibility. With over 100 customers, including Paperless Post, Athena is at the forefront of this emerging market.
Investor Interest and Market Growth
Other startups like Profound are also making waves, having raised over $20 million to monitor how AI chatbots disseminate brand-related information. Profound's clientele includes major companies such as Chime, underscoring the growing demand for AI visibility solutions.
Google's AI Evolution
Google is not standing still, introducing AI-driven features like AI Overviews and conversational search, which minimize the appearance of traditional website links. This shift underscores the need for brands to adapt to a landscape where AI models pull data from diverse sources, including company websites and third-party reviews.
The Rise of the 'Zero-Click Internet'
Marketing experts predict an era where bots become the primary website visitors, leading to a 'zero-click internet.' Startups like Scrunch AI, which has raised $4 million, are helping businesses tweak their websites for AI search, with clients like Clerk seeing a 9% increase in sign-ups from AI sources.
The Future of AI Search Optimization
While the AI search optimization sector is nascent compared to the $90 billion traditional SEO industry, its growth is undeniable. Consultants anticipate AI visibility will soon dominate their workload, though many tools remain in experimental phases as AI technology continues to evolve.
Chris Andrew of Scrunch AI notes that while websites aren't disappearing, the majority of future traffic will likely come from bots, not humans.
Comments