Introduction: Why This Matters

Imagine this:
Earlier, people searched on Google, clicked on websites, and you could easily track them with tools like Google Analytics or Search Console.

But today, people also ask AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or Perplexity for answers. Instead of scrolling search results, they trust these AI tools to recommend links.

Now the big question is: How do you know if your brand is showing up in these AI answers?

That’s what this guide is about. And don’t worry—I’ll explain it in simple language, step by step, with examples.

Step 1: Know Which AI Tools Matter

First, let’s list the main AI platforms that can send people to your website:

• ChatGPT (OpenAI) – very popular, but sometimes traffic shows up as “Direct.”
• Perplexity – works like an AI-powered search engine, easier to track.
• Microsoft Copilot – connected to Bing, passes traffic clearly.
• Google Gemini – shows AI answers inside Google, but traffic looks like “Google Organic.”
• Claude (Anthropic) – another growing AI chatbot, sometimes passes traffic.
• You.com, Poe, Brave AI Search – smaller but still useful.

 Think of these as new “search engines.” Instead of SEO only for Google, you now need AI visibility tracking too.

Also read- How to do answer engine optimization?

Step 2: Start with Google Analytics (GA4)

Google Analytics (GA4) is the easiest free tool to track website visitors. By default, though, it doesn’t show you “AI traffic” separately.

Here’s a beginner way to start:

1. Go to your GA4 dashboard.
2. Check the Traffic Sources report.
3. Look for names like:
   • perplexity.ai
   • copilot.microsoft.com
   • chat.openai.com
   • you.com

If you see these, it means people came to your website through AI platforms.

 Simple tip: Make a note in a spreadsheet each month of how many visitors came from these sources.

Step 3: Use Google Search Console (GSC)

Google Search Console shows how your website appears in Google Search.

Now, with AI Overviews and Google Gemini, your content may appear inside AI answers.

The tricky part: GSC doesn’t show AI Overviews separately. But don’t worry—you can still track it like this:

1. Open Search Console → Performance → Search Type: Web
2. Check your clicks, impressions, and top queries.
3. Compare before and after publishing new content.

 Example: If you wrote a blog “Best Solar Batteries for Homes” and impressions suddenly go up after AI features launched, chances are your page is being shown in AI answers.

Step 4: Keep a Simple AI Visibility Log

Since AI doesn’t always send traffic directly, the best way is to manually check.

Make a simple spreadsheet with columns like:

Just spend 1 hour a month checking your main business keywords in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot, etc. and note if your brand is included.

Step 5: Ask Customers Directly

Not all traffic can be tracked with tools. A simple way is to just ask your leads or customers:

• Add a field in your contact form: “How did you hear about us?”
• Options can be: Google, Facebook, ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, Referral, etc.
• Over time, you’ll see how many people discovered you via AI tools.

This is super simple and gives you direct proof of AI visibility.

Step 6: Optimise Your Content for AI Tools

Tracking is one part—but you also want AI tools to actually recommend you.

Here’s how to make your content AI-friendly (don’t worry, it’s just good writing):

1. Be clear about your brand – Example: “Lento India is a solar inverter manufacturer in India.”
2. Answer questions directly – Use short summaries, lists, and FAQs.
3. Use numbers and facts – Example: “Our battery lasts 10+ years.”
4. Update regularly – AI prefers fresh content.
5. Add FAQ schema – Helps AI understand your answers better.

Think: If you were an AI, which website would you trust to quote? Write like that.

Step 7: Measure Success with Simple Metrics

Here’s what to check each month:

• Visitors from AI sources (from GA4)
• Clicks and impressions (from GSC)
• Mentions in AI answers (from your log)
• Leads/customers saying “I found you via ChatGPT/AI”

Put all of this in one Google Sheet. This becomes your AI Visibility Dashboard.

Step 8: Look at the Bigger Picture

Even if AI traffic looks small right now, it’s growing fast. Imagine this:

• 1,000 people ask ChatGPT “Best battery for schools.”
• If AI shows your brand, even 10–20 clicks can bring serious leads because these users already trust the AI’s recommendation.

So instead of worrying about traffic volume, focus on quality and positioning.

FAQs (Easy Answers)

Q: Can I see AI Overviews traffic separately in Google tools?
No. Google mixes it with normal Web traffic. But you can see changes in impressions and clicks.

Q: Which AI tool is easiest to track?
Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity, because they clearly show up in Analytics.

Q: Why does ChatGPT traffic sometimes look like “Direct”?
Because its mobile app doesn’t always send referral data. That’s normal.

Q: Do I need to change my SEO completely for AI?
No. Just make your content clear, structured, and useful. AI tools will naturally pick it.

Conclusion

Tracking visibility across AI platforms may sound technical, but in reality, you only need a few simple steps:

1. Check AI referrals in Google Analytics (GA4).
2. Monitor your queries in Google Search Console (GSC).
3. Keep a manual log of AI mentions.
4. Ask your customers how they found you.
5. Make your content AI-friendly (clear, updated, structured).

The world is moving from “Search Engines” to “Answer Engines.” If you start tracking now, you’ll stay ahead while others are still guessing.