28/05/2026
RocaSalvatella
Is your brand ready for AI?
In 2026, the search paradigm has changed. We are no longer just competing for a click; we are competing to be the synthesised answer. GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) is added to SEO, emerging not as an isolated discipline, but as the natural evolution of compact SEO combined with a solid brand strategy. Thus, with the arrival of AI, new ways of using and consuming information are emerging, along with new practices to prevent companies from becoming invisible with the change.
That is why at RocaSalvatella, we have prepared this guide to help you find out if your brand is ready to be mentioned by AI and what you should avoid along the way.
In case you want to start taking the pulse, here is a quick diagnostic checklist. What we observe is that, although each sector requires tailor-made solutions and there is no universal formula, there are a series of pillars that can make a difference for any brand that wants to be relevant:
Strategic checklist:
Google Indexing: Does your critical content appear in Google Search Console?
Accessibility for bots: Does your robots.txt allow access to ChatGPT or Perplexity agents? Do you want AIs to train on your information, or does your company policy not allow it?
Digital footprint (PR): Do authoritative media outlets, blogs in your sector, Wikipedia, or specialised forums talk about you?
Net sentiment: And how do they speak? Is your brand perceived positively or negatively by the public?
Presence on maps: Are you a business with a headquarters or physical store? Are you on Google Maps, Bing Maps, and OpenStreetMap?
Semantic clarity: Are your texts distinctive compared to your competition, or are they generic?
Query Fan Out: Do you know all the angles and questions that the AI asks itself to fill in its answers when it mentions you or your competition?
Technical structure: Do you use lists, tables, or charts, well-sequenced headings, and structured data to make it easier for bots to extract data?
At RocaSalvatella, we know that each project is unique; the strategy that works for B2B does not work for B2C, nor does a technology company need to highlight the same things as a consumer goods brand. However, if you take these points into account, you will inevitably help grow your online visibility.
Without SEO there is no GEO
Generative AIs do not create information out of nothing; they are trained systems that, when in doubt, turn to the web in real-time. So, how do you appear in answers generated by AI? The answer, deep down, is still SEO. But today, it requires something extra.
The figures are compelling:
76% of the sources cited in AI were already in Google's Top 10 (Source: Ahrefs study, May 2025).
3 out of the 4 major LLMs cite almost exclusively Google's Top 3 (Clicandseo study which analysed more than 21,000 citations in significant YMYL sectors (Fintech and Health).
The correlation is clear: if Google trusts you for its top positions, most likely AI will choose you as a credible source to be cited.
It is tempting to think that there is an exact mathematical formula to appear in Perplexity, Claude, or ChatGPT, but the reality is that AI algorithms largely work like a black box where we do not know what is happening inside. Being probabilistic and non-deterministic models, the same prompt can generate different answers just 2 minutes apart. And depending on your context.
Despite this volatility, we do have certainties about what "feeds" the machine. Visibility today does not depend on a single technical trick, but on a 360° strategy that includes:
Essential indexing: If Google cannot find you, neither can the AI (which uses Google's index).
PR and authority strategy: It is not enough to just state what you say about yourself; it matters who else says it, and how they say it.
Semantic and well-structured content: Content and more useful content. Without needing to be excessively long or to contain the same main keyword constantly repeated. Everything must be well-structured to be digested by robots.
GEO is not a tactical layer added to SEO. It is a new way of competing for relevance, trust, and presence in environments where decisions begin to take shape. And to compete in favour of your brand, it is necessary to understand how digital trust is built today.
At RocaSalvatella, we help brands understand how AI sees them, what signals their competitors are triggering, and what strategy they need to be considered reliable, citable, and relevant sources. Because not all companies need to appear in the same answers, compete for the same questions, or activate the same channels. That is why we analyse each case based on its competitive context, its digital maturity, and its business objectives. And we can help you map out the path. Shall we talk?