90% of Businesses Fear Losing SEO Visibility as AI Reshapes Search

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how users search and interact with online content, businesses are growing increasingly concerned about their online visibility. According to a new survey conducted by Ann Smarty, nearly 90% of companies fear losing organic visibility as AI-driven search results begin to dominate traditional search listings.

The Growing Concern Over AI in Search

AI-generated responses are changing how consumers access information — and businesses are feeling the pressure to adapt. The transition from standard search engine results to AI-generated answers is happening much faster than anticipated, forcing companies to rethink how they approach visibility, traffic, and conversions.

In this evolving landscape, 85.7% of businesses are already investing in AI-powered SEO strategies, while 61.2% plan to increase their SEO budgets specifically to optimize for AI and large language models (LLMs).

Key Takeaways from the Survey

• 87.8% of businesses are worried about losing findability in AI-generated environments.
• 85.7% are already investing in AI/LLM optimization.
• 61.2% will increase their SEO budgets due to AI disruption.
• 75.5% say brand visibility in AI-generated results is their top priority — even when there’s no direct link back to their site.

Interestingly, only 14.3% of businesses prioritize being cited as a source for AI-generated responses, underscoring the shift from traffic-driven goals to brand presence within conversational AI results.

A New SEO Era: GEO and AI Optimization

While many marketers still use the “SEO” label, two new terms are emerging to define this transformation — “SEO for AI” (49%) and “Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)” (41%). These new disciplines focus on optimizing content for AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini, ensuring that businesses remain discoverable in an era of AI-first discovery.

Although AI search is accelerating, studies show that LLM-based referrals currently convert worse than traditional Google Search traffic. However, as AI systems evolve, this gap is expected to narrow — making it crucial for businesses to prepare now.

Adapting Your SEO for the AI Era

As the digital landscape evolves, businesses can’t afford to stand still. Optimizing for AI-driven search isn’t just an emerging trend — it’s the future of online visibility.

At Earn SEO, we help companies future-proof their strategies through AI-focused SEO, content optimization, and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Our team of SEO Experts in NYC ensures your brand stays visible, trusted, and competitive — no matter how search evolves. Get ahead of the AI curve. Visit earnseo.com to discover how we can help your business dominate the next generation of search.

FAQs

1. Why are businesses worried about AI affecting SEO?
AI-generated search results are reducing traditional organic visibility, making it harder for businesses to be found through standard search listings.

2. What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?
GEO is the process of optimizing content for AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini to maintain brand visibility in AI-generated answers.

3. How is AI changing SEO strategies?
AI is shifting the focus from keyword rankings to brand visibility and relevance in conversational search results powered by large language models.