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Sector Intelligence Report · 2026-08

AEO & AI Search Visibility

The AEO & AI Search Visibility Sector Intelligence Report is a measured $199 research paper from AEOForged. It benchmarks which brands ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini cite for AEO & AI Search Visibility buyer questions — with Wilson 95% confidence intervals, query battlegrounds, and a private position addendum for the buyer.

Measured answer-engine citation benchmark for AEO and AI search visibility tools — who ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini cite when buyers ask for tools, methods, and how-to advice.

Monthly edition 2026-08 · Frozen · Storefront reviewed · All sector reports

Measurement snapshot

Brands
15
Edition checks
296
Buyer queries
45
Uncited brands
4

Checks accruing for the next monthly edition: 283. Leaderboard numbers above are frozen to the published edition — they do not move mid-month.

What the measurement found

  • Profound leads the sector: cited in 16.2% of checks (95% CI 12.5–20.8%).
  • 4 of 15 benchmarked brands were never cited in 296 checks — a measured result, with check counts in the report.
  • 14 buyer queries have no benchmarked brand cited at all — open ground named query-by-query in the report.
  • Run-to-run flip rate 30.4% is published in the methodology so noise is not sold as movement.

From the executive summary

“Profound leads all benchmarked brands at a citation rate of 16.2% (CI 12.5–20.8%), with Semrush second at 12.2% (CI 8.9–16.4%), creating a two-brand concentration at the top of the AI answer layer.”

The full report names every brand, every query, and every source behind this finding.

Which answer engines are covered?

Engines covered are stated per edition. Google AI Overviews is not currently covered.

  • Perplexity
  • Gemini
  • ChatGPT

What's inside every report

  • Sector citation leaderboard with Wilson 95% confidence intervals
  • Query-by-query battlegrounds: dominated, contested, open
  • Off-site source economy feeding AI answers (Reddit, YouTube, editorial, review sites)
  • Engine behavior differences (volume, depth, source mix)
  • Invisible brands — measured zero-citation analysis, not dropped rows
  • Full methodology including test-retest variance and limitations
  • Appendix: complete per-query data tables
  • Your private position addendum: rank, gap queries, off-site opportunities for your domain

Methodology

All rates are measured observations from live answer-engine checks. Rates use Wilson 95% confidence intervals. A same-day variance panel publishes test-retest flip rates so noise is not mistaken for progress. Thin samples refuse to ship below the depth floor. No placement or citation guarantees are made or implied.

Pricing and delivery

  • $199 — one purchase covers this edition plus the next eleven monthly freezes for the same market.
  • Private link live for a year, plus a print-ready PDF.
  • Includes your brand's private position addendum. Pre-orders and reactivations usually get a human follow-up within about 24 hours. If the sector still needs time to clear the measurement floor, we reply at that email before the report publishes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the AEO & AI Search Visibility Sector Intelligence Report?
A measured $199 benchmark of who ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini cite for AEO & AI Search Visibility questions — leaderboard with CIs, battlegrounds, source economy, and your private addendum.
How is the measurement run?
Live engine checks, misses recorded, same-day variance panel, Wilson 95% CIs. No citation guarantees.
What do I receive after purchase?
A private report link, print-ready PDF, and a buyer-only where-you-stand addendum.