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AI platform optimization:
how each AI tool picks its sources.

ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Copilot and Google AI Overviews each read the web differently. This page compares them side by side, so you know where to start.

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  • 6 platforms compared
  • Crawlers and indexes
  • Checked November 2026
  • Clutch 4.9 from 9 reviews

Reviewed by Jose King, Head of Search · Updated November 2026

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How do AI platforms choose sources?

Six tools, four different indexes. Here's what each one needs from your site.

Each AI platform answers from a mix of what it learned in training and what it finds in a live search. What differs is which search index it uses, which crawlers need access to your site, and how visibly it credits its sources.

PlatformSearch indexCrawlers to allowHow sources showFirst thing to check
ChatGPTThird-party search providers; Bing results overlap mostOAI-SearchBotInline citations when search runsBing indexing
Google AI OverviewsGoogle SearchGooglebotLinks in the summarySnippet eligibility
GeminiGoogle SearchGooglebot; Google-Extended for groundingSource links on some answersBrand entity data
PerplexityIts own live searchPerplexityBotNumbered sources on every answerPerplexityBot access
ClaudeReported to use Brave SearchClaude-SearchBot, Claude-UserCitations when search runsAnthropic crawler rules
CopilotBingBingbotLinked citationsBing Webmaster Tools

Sources: OpenAI, Google Search Central, Perplexity and Anthropic crawler documentation; Seer Interactive (Feb 2025) on ChatGPT and Bing; TechCrunch (Mar 2025) on Claude and Brave. Checked November 2026.

Four things that help on every platform

  • Let the right crawlers inSearch crawlers for each tool, with training crawlers decided on purpose.
  • Answer plainly, earlyA direct answer under a question heading is the easiest thing for any AI to quote.
  • Keep brand facts consistentSame name, category, prices and claims across your site, profiles and press.
  • Be mentioned on trusted sitesRoundups, reviews and press are read by every platform.

Where the platforms differ

  • Google's tools reward Google SEOAI Overviews and Gemini read Google's index and entity data.
  • Bing powers more than CopilotCopilot runs on Bing, and ChatGPT's citations overlap most with Bing results.
  • Perplexity rewards freshnessIt searches live for every question and always shows its sources.
  • Claude uses its own crawlers and a different indexAnthropic's crawlers and Brave Search visibility matter.
  • Only Copilot reports citations to youBing Webmaster Tools' AI Performance report; others need prompt tracking.
  • Audiences differClaude and Copilot lean to work research; Gemini to Android and Chrome; Perplexity to research-heavy buyers.

Which platform should you start with?

Pick by where your buyers already ask questions.

Most users

ChatGPT

Start here if your buyers are consumers or startups.

Most searches

Google AI Overviews

Start here if your organic traffic is falling.

Google ecosystem

Gemini

Start here for Android, Chrome and local buyers.

Visible sources

Perplexity

Start here for research-heavy B2B buyers.

Professional research

Claude

Start here for enterprise and developer buyers.

Microsoft 365

Copilot

Start here if you sell to Microsoft-first companies.

Want all six run as one programme? See our AI visibility services, from €3,000 per month.

FAQ

AI platform questions, answered

Which AI platforms matter most for brand visibility?

It depends on your buyers. ChatGPT has the most users, Google AI Overviews reach the most searches, and Copilot and Claude matter most for work research. We track the ones your customers actually use.

Do all AI platforms use the same search index?

No. Google AI Overviews and Gemini use Google, Copilot uses Bing, Perplexity runs its own search, Claude has been reported to use Brave Search, and ChatGPT uses third-party providers where Bing results overlap most.

Can one strategy work for every AI platform?

The foundations are shared: crawler access, plain answers, consistent facts and trusted mentions. The differences are which index to check and which crawlers to allow, so each platform gets a few specific fixes.

Which AI crawlers should I allow?

To appear in AI search: OAI-SearchBot, PerplexityBot, Claude-SearchBot, Googlebot and Bingbot. Training crawlers like GPTBot, ClaudeBot and Google-Extended are a separate decision.

How do I see if AI platforms mention my brand?

Run your buyers' questions in each tool and record who's named. Bing Webmaster Tools reports Copilot citations directly; for the others you need prompt tracking. Our free AI visibility audit is a quick first check.

Is AI platform optimization the same as GEO?

Yes, largely. GEO (generative engine optimisation) is the general name; AI platform optimization looks at what each tool needs specifically.

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