Have you ever wondered which brands are thriving, which are waning, and which remain steady within AI search platforms? I’ve delved deep into Semrush’s AI Visibility Index, and I’m here to share strategies to safeguard and enhance your visibility.
AI search is a dynamic field that’s evolving rapidly. Over the past three months, it’s become clearer which brands stand out and which sources AI models prefer to trust.
In examining three months of AI Visibility Index data, particularly from ChatGPT and Google AI Mode, I’ve realized just how volatile AI search truly is, a pattern likely to persist in the near term.
Brands that come out on top are those who consistently monitor and adjust to these changes as they unfold.
The research includes a study of 2,500 real-world prompts across five crucial sectors: Business & Professional Services, Digital Technology & Software, Consumer Electronics, Fashion & Apparel, and Finance. It unveils dramatic shifts in source diversity, brand mentions, and model behavior—info no marketer can afford to ignore.
What Changed at a Model Level?
ChatGPT: Unique brand mentions fluctuated, while the number of sources cited grew by 80% in October alone, showing a move toward greater source diversity.

Google AI Mode: From August to October, brand mentions dropped by 4%, hinting at stricter recommendation controls. Source diversity saw a moderate 13% rise, indicating a more conservative stance compared to ChatGPT.
Key Trends Over Three Months
Reddit’s Correction and Resurgence: ChatGPT reduced Reddit mentions by 82% but maintained it as the fourth most-cited source. Meanwhile, Google AI Mode’s use of Reddit increased by 75%, becoming the second top source. Both platforms are recognizing Reddit’s value, albeit differently.
Brand Diversity Varies by Vertical and Model: ChatGPT noted a 20% rise in unique brand mentions in Consumer Electronics, while Finance saw a 15% decline. Conversely, Google AI Mode saw a decline across almost every vertical, underscoring the need for model-specific strategies.
Top Brands Remain Relatively Stable: Over three months, 25 new brands joined the top 100, yet only two cracked the top 50. Leading brands’ visibility changes stayed within a ~20% range, much narrower than the overall market turbulence.
Source Strategies Must Be Model-Specific: ChatGPT and Google AI Mode agree on brand mentions 67% of the time, but agree on sources only 30% of the time. Dominant sources include Wikipedia, Forbes, and Amazon for ChatGPT, while Google AI Mode favors Amazon and YouTube.

I’ve learned that maintaining AI visibility requires ongoing vigilance. Both platforms are testing diversity, adjusting for past overdependencies, and refining strategies.
What This Means for Your Strategy
In the ever-evolving world of AI search, past visibility doesn’t secure future success.
Both ChatGPT and Google AI Mode feature 61 of the top 100 brands, indicating strong brand overlap. However, source overlap is much less and has decreased from August to October.
Translation: Enhance your brand’s visibility on both platforms but customize your source strategy based on each model’s nuances.
Explore the AI Visibility Index to access full rankings, interactive leaderboards, and comprehensive trends across all five sectors. Download proven strategies to bolster your visibility in this swiftly changing domain. It’s complimentary!
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


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