How does SearchGPT decide which source to cite?
OpenAI's goal with SearchGPT is to provide a seamless transition from search to conversation. It favors sources that provide Continuous Authority. If your site only answers one narrow question but misses the broader context, the agent will move to a more comprehensive source to maintain the "flow" of the conversation.
At Tonotaco, we have observed that sites with a high "Internal Link Density" (semantic linking between related concepts) are 3x more likely to be cited in multi-turn conversations than isolated articles.
The "Follow-Up" Content Framework
Traditional content is linear. SearchGPT-optimized content is modular. You should structure your pages to anticipate the next three questions a user might ask. If the primary query is "What is AEO?", the search agent will naturally follow up with:
- "How much does it cost?"
- "How long does it take to see results?"
- "What are the risks?"
If your content answers the first question but not the follow-ups, you lose the citation.
| Optimization Stage | Traditional SEO Action | SearchGPT Action |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness | Keyword Targeting | Deep H2 Definitions |
| Comparison | Feature Lists | Comparative Data Tables |
| Trust | Testimonials | Case Study Metrics (e.g., Lead Velocity) |
How does Tonotaco ensure B2B visibility in SearchGPT?
We leverage our status as a transparent Estonian agency (Registry code: 16914587) to prove authenticity. In a world of AI-generated junk, SearchGPT is trained to filter for real, verifiable organizations. Our commitment to radical transparency—publishing our methodologies and results openly—is a key trust signal we bake into every page's metadata.
"Optimization isn't about tricking the robot; it's about teaching it. We teach the models exactly who we are and why we matter."
Tolga Güneysel