Highlights
- AI Influence: AI is significantly altering how consumers search for products and services, with many relying on tools like ChatGPT for assistance.
- Growth in Referrals: Research from SimilarWeb indicates that AI referrals to websites surged by 357% since June 2024.
- SEO Strategy Shift: Brands must now enhance their presence within AI responses to maintain visibility in search results.
- Optimization Insights: SEMRush offers strategies for monitoring and optimizing for AI search engines, aiding brands in navigating this transition.
AI is changing the way that people search for products and services, with an increasing number of people now trusting the guidance of ChatGPT and other apps to help them find what they’re after.
Indeed, according to research conducted by SimilarWeb, AI referrals to websites have increased by 357% since June 2024, reflecting the rising power of AI to drive discovery behavior.
Which also changes the focus of SEO, with brands now needing to expand their presence into AI answers as well, if they want to ensure they show up in all the right places.
How can you get your products recommended by AI tools?
So how can you get your products recommended by AI tools?
SEMRush has provided an overview of how you can monitor and optimize for AI search engines, which could help you maximize engagement within this shift.
Some valuable notes for your 2026 planning.









