LLM Optimisation
7-Step Challenger Brand AI Search Protocol
If a challenger brand asked us how to transform their visibility in LLMs, then this is what we would do.
10 July 2025
5 min read
1. Listen to Real Customers
Scrape support emails, DMs, reviews, Reddit, and community threads.
Search Perplexity for questions like:
“Is [your product] better than [big brand]?”
“Best [category] for sensitive skin / travel / teens?”
Document actual buyer phrases, not just keyword terms.
2. Cluster by Buying Intent
Group findings into 5–10 use-case clusters, such as:
“Compare vs mainstream brands”
“Longevity or safety questions"
“First-time buyer hesitations”
Don’t optimise for keywords — optimise for buyer context.
3. Run LLM Simulations
Ask real buyer queries in:
ChatGPT
Gemini
Perplexity
Track:
Does your brand show?
Which content types (e.g., blog, review, Reddit) are LLMs surfacing?
Who’s dominating — and why?
4. Patch the Gaps Fast
For each top topic, decide:
Update: a stale landing page or PDP
Create: a comparison page or explainer
Place: a mention on a trusted 3rd-party source (Reddit, blog, roundup)
5. Optimise for AI Pickup
Use tools like Surfer SEO or AirOps.
Focus on:
Conversational phrasing
Embedded questions and FAQs
Clear trust signals (reviews, certifications, founder story)
6. Track AI Mentions and Traffic
Use:
JellyFish Share of Model AI for LLM brand presence
GA4 for ChatGPT/Perplexity referrers
Focus on what converts, not just what’s seen.
7. Earn Smart Citations
Seed brand mentions where LLMs pull data:
Niche blogs
Reddit threads
Review platforms
Product directories
Add schema.org markup for bonus discoverability.
Scrape support emails, DMs, reviews, Reddit, and community threads.
Search Perplexity for questions like:
“Is [your product] better than [big brand]?”
“Best [category] for sensitive skin / travel / teens?”
Document actual buyer phrases, not just keyword terms.
2. Cluster by Buying Intent
Group findings into 5–10 use-case clusters, such as:
“Compare vs mainstream brands”
“Longevity or safety questions"
“First-time buyer hesitations”
Don’t optimise for keywords — optimise for buyer context.
3. Run LLM Simulations
Ask real buyer queries in:
ChatGPT
Gemini
Perplexity
Track:
Does your brand show?
Which content types (e.g., blog, review, Reddit) are LLMs surfacing?
Who’s dominating — and why?
4. Patch the Gaps Fast
For each top topic, decide:
Update: a stale landing page or PDP
Create: a comparison page or explainer
Place: a mention on a trusted 3rd-party source (Reddit, blog, roundup)
5. Optimise for AI Pickup
Use tools like Surfer SEO or AirOps.
Focus on:
Conversational phrasing
Embedded questions and FAQs
Clear trust signals (reviews, certifications, founder story)
6. Track AI Mentions and Traffic
Use:
JellyFish Share of Model AI for LLM brand presence
GA4 for ChatGPT/Perplexity referrers
Focus on what converts, not just what’s seen.
7. Earn Smart Citations
Seed brand mentions where LLMs pull data:
Niche blogs
Reddit threads
Review platforms
Product directories
Add schema.org markup for bonus discoverability.