How to Rank Your Website in Gemini Answers and AI Search Results?

Today’s SERPs no longer comprise just links but AI-generated answers. AI systems like Google Gemini are now able to generate dynamic and synthesised conversational summaries for users, whether they are asking a how-to question or comparing products. These instant answers serve as the facade between users and online content because they appear above conventional search results, eliminating the need for users to scroll down or click through to the websites.

I’m Tony John, and I’ve been highly involved with the SEO and Web development industry for the last two decades. My experiences have given me a firsthand view of the evolution of search engines from complex algorithm updates to changing user behaviours and new technologies in the market. In this blog, I want to focus on the importance of AI in search and how they are reshaping the way we approach visibility and relevance online. 

As we enter the new era driven by AI search models, we need to optimise our websites not just for SEO but for AI systems as well. Throughout this blog, I’ll walk you through the new search environment, ongoing SEO steps, and AEO techniques with which you can rank your websites on Gemini Answers and AI mode search results. 

What is Google Gemini?

Google Gemini can be defined as a family of AI models developed and designed to understand and compute a wide range of processes, from generating human-like language responses to text, images, videos, audio, code, and more. Gemini offers AI-generated overviews and conversational results that rank above traditional results. By acquiring instant answers or responses to their queries, users no longer have to spend time scrolling through multiple links and have become increasingly reliant on the AI-generated summaries with citations to the appropriate websites. These instant responses have also become a substantial way to rank on the first page, and businesses and content creators have started shifting their ongoing SEO strategies to increase the likelihood of being cited by Gemini. The aim has shifted from simply ranking high in search results to becoming the go-to source that AI tools reference and quote.

How Gemini SEO Differs from Traditional SEO?

According to my research, Gemini SEO is a blend of both Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). AEO aims to make content easy for AI to understand and quote, while GEO goes a step further by carefully shaping content for AI tools, focusing on clear language, structure, trust, and proper formatting.

Traditional SEO is all about focusing on ranking your website at the top SERPs. This is done by optimising keywords, building backlinks, and improving technical performance to enhance the overall user experience.  Since Google Gemini functions as both a generative assistant as well as powers the AI-overview or AI mode search results, Gemini SEO naturally involves elements of both GEO and AEO. Therefore, implementing Gemini SEO means structuring your content for prompt AI interpretation while also being rich, contextual, and conversational so that it can contribute to broader AI-generated scenarios. 

How to Rank Higher in Google Gemini AI Search Results?

Now that we’ve understood how Gemini SEO works, let us look at the proven strategies and steps to improve your visibility with Google Gemini’s AI-generated search results: 

Maintain SEO Efforts

Google Gemini’s AI search results are built upon Google’s existing core ranking factors, such as helpful content, RankBrain, BERT, reviews, and more. Therefore, it is imperative to keep traditional SEO practices ongoing, ensuring that you maintain a strong SEO foundation even as you optimise for the AI environment. 

Prioritise Natural Language Queries

AI search results have significantly changed the way people search for things online. Instead of using traditional SEO keyword queries, users have shifted to using more questions or conversational queries, as if they are talking to and interacting with someone else. While traditional SEO may rank websites, AI search optimisation requires understanding intent and phrasing as well as context. To rank in Gemini’s AI search results, your content must adhere to the way people naturally ask questions. 

For example, the traditional search approach may go as something like ‘Top SEO agency in Ernakulam’, which emphasises specific keywords for it to rank. A query string search can go as something like ‘Which is the top SEO agency in Ernakulam?’. To rank for such queries, one can work on blogs or website content that answers these queries directly through blogs or FAQs. 

Optimising Content for Better Readability

Content that is simple and conveys meaning without any complexities has been proven to rank better across search engines over time. This applies in the case of AI and generative responses as well, including Gemini. Users are searching for simple answers and not for more questions or paragraphs. Utilising the following steps can help you boost readability: 

• Using clear and crisp headings for paragraphs or overall content 
• Employing comparison tables or bullet points 
• Using simple language and avoiding complex sentences
• Make sure that you add summaries

The simpler your content is, the more it is preferred by both users and AI. 

Following E-E-A-T

E-E-A-T has been one of Google’s ranking factors for the last few years. By prioritising Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, Google Gemini only cites credible sources and reliable content. It scours the digital landscape to identify pages and authors that demonstrate verifiable experience, professionalism, and authority. To demonstrate E-E-A-T, make sure that your content does not employ clickbait and maintain transparency. 

Also read, What Is E-E-A-T and How Does It Impact SEO?

Use Schema Markup

 It is one of the most basic and effective ways to optimise your website for Gemini SEO. Schema markup, commonly referred to as structured data, comprises fundamental information that can be added to your website’s HTML code. By adding a wide range of schema types, AI systems, such as Gemini, are able to easily identify, acquire, and extract relevant information. This increases the chances of your website being cited in AI-generated responses. 

How to Track Google Gemini Traffic?

There are multiple ways to track the traffic coming from Google Gemini’s AI search, but the most reliable way is through GA4. While the traffic from Gemini is not distinctively labelled, you can acquire such information by filtering the query source. Another simpler way to acquire more detailed data is through the GA4 exploration. This option enables you to track data by visualising it. For ease of access, you can create an ‘AI Traffic’ channel group and add it to the traffic acquisition report. You can use Google Looker Studio to integrate the data and create a comprehensive analytical dashboard for reports or presentations. 

The Future of Search Engines

One thing I’ve learned from working in the IT industry and helping many businesses build an online presence is the importance of adaptability to change. AI-driven search has emerged as a transformative force, spearheaded by Google Gemini. You cannot master Gemini SEO and rank your content in AI search results overnight. By focusing on creating genuine content that is structured with clarity and natural language and working outside the bounds of conventional SEO barriers, you can slowly climb the ranks of generative AI content. I advise you to keep your content strategy evolving because the search engines of tomorrow think like humans!