Why ChatGPT SEO Matters More Than Google Right Now
- Oliver Nikolla
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Search behaviour is evolving. Increasingly, people are choosing to get answers through AI chat interfaces like ChatGPT rather than scrolling through search engine results. This shift marks a seismic change in how visibility, trust and traffic are earned online. For small and medium-sized businesses aiming to stay competitive, investing in ChatGPT SEO is no longer optional, it is essential.
At Merx Marketing, we help brands build AI-ready content strategies that go beyond Google. This guide will walk you through what ChatGPT SEO is, why it is becoming more important than traditional SEO, and how generative AI marketing principles can help your brand appear in AI-driven responses.
Stay ahead. Merx helps brands rank in AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT.
The Rise of Conversational Search
As millions of users interact with large language models (LLMs) to get real-time insights, product suggestions and problem-solving answers, traditional search engines are losing ground. Google still plays a vital role, but conversational AI tools are increasingly being used as first points of contact.
To rank in this ecosystem, brands need to understand ChatGPT SEO, the practice of making content discoverable and valuable to generative AI systems. These models draw from a mixture of training data, high-quality web content and live indexes. To be cited or referenced, your content must be:
Highly relevant
Authentically informative
Semantically rich
Structurally optimised
At Merx Marketing Ltd, we help businesses navigate the evolving landscape of modern marketing. In this blog, we break down how product managers can successfully implement AI-powered strategies, from data analysis to customer personalisation, while staying aligned with business goals.
If you're curious about how AI can elevate your marketing performance and streamline decision-making, this guide offers clear, actionable steps to get you started.
What Is ChatGPT SEO?
ChatGPT SEO is about preparing your content to be sourced and surfaced by AI interfaces like ChatGPT. Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking pages for keyword searches, this method focuses on structuring content so that AI understands, trusts and references it in responses.
It involves:
Semantic structuring of articles
Optimised metadata and schema markup
Factually rich and citation-worthy content
Answer-focused formatting (FAQs, how-tos, lists, summaries)
Aligning with AI training behaviours
At Merx, we create content that not only ranks in search engines but is also built to feed and shape AI-generated outputs.
Why It Matters More Than Google Right Now
While Google remains dominant, ChatGPT and similar tools are becoming the preferred tool for:
B2B decision-makers gathering fast insights
Shoppers comparing options quickly
Professionals drafting or researching content
Users seeking curated, condensed knowledge
This change presents new opportunities for visibility. Appearing in AI-generated responses can build trust faster than ranking on page one. With zero-click search on the rise, ChatGPT SEO enables your brand to be the answer, not just a link.
Learn more about Merx here
How Merx Approaches Generative AI Marketing
Our generative AI marketing strategy blends SEO expertise, natural language modelling, and content strategy to help you get discovered inside LLM interfaces.
We focus on:
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO): Structuring content so it provides clear answers to likely prompts.
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO): Writing content that uses semantically related language, topic depth and contextual linking.
Chatbot content training: Preparing website copy, FAQs and service pages to be fed into AI customer service bots.
As a full-service AI marketing agency in London, we handle strategy, execution and measurement for brands adapting to the AI search frontier.
What an AI-Optimised Page Looks Like
Pages designed for ChatGPT SEO share several characteristics:
Clear question-based headings (e.g. "What is predictive modelling in marketing?")
Concise and factual answers directly under headers
Use of bullet points, tables and step-by-step structures
Schema markup to indicate FAQ, reviews, and products
Internal links to related blog posts or guides
Citations and statistics from trusted sources
We build entire content architectures aligned with the user journey, optimised for both human readers and intelligent machines.
Why SMEs Should Invest Now
Early movers always benefit most. The AI search landscape is still forming, and establishing topical authority now makes it more likely that LLMs will "remember" and reference your content in future responses.
If you run a business in property, retail, law, consulting or healthcare, ChatGPT SEO helps:
Position your brand as a trusted source
Reduce PPC costs by increasing organic visibility
Improve traffic quality from AI-generated references
Extend the reach of evergreen content
NEW: Ask Merx Marketing’s AI Chatbot
We are excited to launch our very own AI chatbot. This smart assistant scans all previous blogs, resources and website content to answer any questions you may have about marketing, AI tools, SEO, and more.
Want one for your business? Merx Marketing can build a bespoke AI chatbot that lives on your website, helping customers 24/7 while reducing customer service costs.
ChatGPT SEO vs Traditional SEO
Feature | Traditional SEO | ChatGPT SEO |
Focus | Keyword ranking | Semantic relevance |
Output | Search engine result page | Generated conversational reply |
Technical optimisation | Meta tags, load speed | Structured formatting, schema |
Strategy | Keyword density | Topic depth and context |
Merx bridges the gap between these two disciplines so that your content performs in both
environments.
At MERX Marketing, we don’t just create strategies, we craft tailored roadmaps to help your brand thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you're looking to sharpen your positioning, attract high-value clients, or grow your digital presence, our team is here to make it happen.
Explore Our Services and see how we can elevate your marketing game.
Why Merx?
Founded by Daniel Nikolla, a chartered marketing consultant and Chair of Generation Next, Merx Marketing Ltd is built on helping businesses adapt and lead in evolving digital environments. Since 2022, we have guided clients through marketing transformations, AI adoption and strategic repositioning.
From personal branding to advanced SEO and AI-powered digital marketing solutions, we offer an end-to-end approach rooted in:
Business Excellence
Collaboration
Growth
Fun
Visit us for a free marketing consultation:
75 Colney Hatch Lane, London, United Kingdom, N10 1LR
Contact us:
+44 (0) 7480 845583 - danieln@merxmarketing.co.uk
MERX is here to help
FAQ: ChatGPT SEO and Generative AI Marketing
1. What is ChatGPT SEO?
It is the practice of formatting and structuring your content so that AI models like ChatGPT can reference or cite it in their responses. It differs from traditional SEO by focusing on semantic clarity and factual value.
2. Is ChatGPT SEO only relevant for tech companies?
No. Any business with an online presence can benefit from being referenced in AI-generated answers. We work with property firms, consultants, retailers and more.
3. How long does it take to see results?
Typically, AI search visibility improves within one to three months of publishing optimised content, depending on topic authority and indexing cycles.
4. Does ChatGPT access my site directly?
Some versions use Bing Search or third-party crawlers. Your content must be publicly accessible, well-linked and crawlable for inclusion.
5. How can I get started?
Book a discovery call with Merx. We will audit your content and propose a plan to align it with ChatGPT SEO best practices.
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