To get cited in ChatGPT Search (and other AI engines like Perplexity and Google Gemini), you need to think beyond traditional SEO. In 2026, this approach is called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

Unlike Google, which ranks web pages, ChatGPT selects and cites clear, trusted answers. The goal is simple: make sure your brand becomes the answer these AI systems rely on.

1. The “Answer-First” Content Framework

ChatGPT is “lazy”- it looks for the quickest, most accurate answer to a user’s prompt. If your answer is buried under 500 words of introduction, the AI will skip you.

  • The 40-Word Rule: Place your core answer in the first 40 words of the section.
  • Question-Based Headings: Use H2 and H3 that mirror exactly how people talk (e.g., “How much does AI SEO cost in India?” instead of “Pricing Structures”).
  • The “Goldilocks” Section Length – Keep each section between 120 and 180 words. This is the sweet spot where AI models can easily understand, extract, and summarize your content without context.

2. High “Fact Density” & Citations

AI models prioritize content that provides “Information Gain” – new, specific data that isn’t readily available elsewhere.

  • Use Specific Stats: Don’t say traffic increased. “Say “traffic increased by 32.4% within 90 days.”
  • Cite Your Sources: Paradoxically, citing other experts in your content (inline citations) makes AI models more likely to cite you. It signals that your content is grounded in facts.
  • Add Expert Quotes: Including a quote from a verified industry expert (with their credentials) increases your “Trust Score” in the AI’s retrieval system.

3. Build a Digital Footprint (Off-Page SEO)

ChatGPT doesn’t just crawl your website; it checks if the rest of the internet agrees with you.

  • The Reddit/Quora Factor: ChatGPT often draws on community discussions. Being mentioned positively in a relevant Subreddit or Quora thread is now as valuable as a high-DA backlink.
  • Third-Party Directories: Ensure your business is listed on “Trusted Hubs” (G2, Capterra, Clutch, or industry-specific Indian directories).
  • Entity Linking: Use Organization Schema to link your website to your social profiles and Wikipedia/Wikidata entries. It helps the AI identify your brand as a “Known Entity.”

4. Technical Guidelines

In late 2024 and throughout 2025, a new standard emerged: the llms.txt file. What it is: A simple text file (like robots.txt) located at yourdomain.com/llms.txt.

Why it works: It provides a “CliffNotes” version of your website specifically for AI crawlers to read. It tells the AI exactly which pages are most important and what they contain, significantly increasing your chances of being indexed for search citations.

5. Suggested Blog Structure for your Site

If you want to write a blog post on this topic to attract customers, use this one:

Title: How to Rank in ChatGPT Search: The 2026 Guide to GEO.

  1. Introduction- Define the shift from “Search” to “Answer” engines.
  2. Section 1- Why traditional keywords are dying.
  3. Section 2- How to format content for “Machine Extraction” (Lists, Tables, and FAQs).
  4. Section 3- The importance of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
  5. Conclusion- A call to action for your AI SEO Audit.