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AI Search Simulator
Understand how ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI, and Claude format answers differently — and what that means for your content strategy.
How AI Platforms Answer Questions Differently
Not all AI search is the same. Each platform has a different approach to finding, citing, and presenting information about your brand. Understanding these differences is the foundation of any GEO strategy.
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Citation Style | How It Works | What This Means for You |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Parametric (trained knowledge) | Uses training data. Rarely cites sources inline. Web browsing mode uses Bing. | Your content needs to be in training data. Freshness matters less, authority matters more. Focus on being the definitive source. |
| Perplexity | RAG (real-time retrieval) | Always cites sources with numbered references. Most citation-heavy platform. | Citation-friendly content wins. Use lists, tables, stats with sources. This is your easiest platform to influence. |
| Google AI Overviews | Hybrid (index + LLM) | Uses Google Search index. Favors already-ranking content. Shows source cards. | Traditional SEO still matters here. If you rank in Google, you're likely to appear in AI Overviews. Schema markup is critical. |
| Claude | Parametric | Training data only. No web access. Conservative about unverified claims. | Claude is the hardest to influence directly. Focus on brand authority and being widely referenced across the web. |
What Triggers AI Citations
- Factual claims — Statistics, dates, definitions with sources
- "According to" patterns — Attribution signals that AI recognizes
- Structured data — Tables, numbered lists, FAQ format
- Authoritative sources — Known, trusted domains with high E-E-A-T
- Recent, specific information — Updated content with concrete details
What Prevents Citations
- Generic, undifferentiated marketing copy
- No author or source attribution
- Outdated information (6+ months old)
- Thin content without depth or structure
- Missing schema markup
Your Next Step
Now that you understand how each platform works, run a free AI visibility audit to see exactly where your brand stands across all four platforms. Our audit queries each platform with your target keywords and shows you the reality.
Or use our Schema Markup Generator to create AI-optimized structured data for your site right now.