Effective Strategies for Offsite AI Search Optimization
We spend a lot of time talking about artificial intelligence user queries, and onsite search optimization around here.
And for good reason. – contributing to the evolution of agentic AI, and its many applications related to user search data implementation for ecommerce advantages, is a huge part of how the Syntheum.ai team spends its days (and nights, and weekends).
The AI (and AI search) revolution as a whole is happening all around us at breakneck speeds. We can’t help but think there’s value in looking at some of the finer optimization details on both sides of the onsite / offsite fence. There as many similarities as there are differences.
In This Article...
In that case: what differs, what’s congruent, and what can one backyard learn from the other in these still very earliest of days? Think in terms of the way paid search query metrics can benefit an organic search strategy, and vice-versa. This is why, in terms of "offsite" SAO, we'll be looking at a variety of tactical techniques that have been proven to help get your content and brand showing up in these valuable results.
What is Search Agent Optimization (SAO)?
What follows (in this first of our four part of series on SAO), we’ll be running down what’s known, assumed, or still up in the air around best practices for increasing the likelihood your content shows up in generative AI search results. But let’s start with a proposed definition:
Search Agent Optimization is the strategic process of refining both digital content
- and its delivery - to increase potential prominence and relevance within
AI-driven search applications.
SAO is more inclusive as to varied application and focused on the unique characteristics of agents as opposed to (yawn) engines. Everything from AI summaries, to citations (to brand inclusions in both), are increasingly valuable real estate as AI contributes more and more to the looming specter of the “zero click” search (which we’ll cover in part 2).
While in part 1 the (oversimplified) focus is on non-ecommerce sites, the strategies discussed can still apply. Your digital merchandising and marketing efforts certainly involve site sections (news, blog, about, press releases, FAQs) with little retail functionality. Making this greenfield eco system worth learning more about in its entirety.
Why "Search Agent Optimization"?
SAO is more inclusive as to varied application and focused on the unique characteristics of agents as opposed to (yawn) engines. Everything from AI summaries, to citations (to brand inclusions in both), are increasingly valuable real estate as AI contributes more and more to the looming specter of the “zero click” search (which we’ll cover in part 2).
While in part 1 the (oversimplified) focus is on non-ecommerce sites, the strategies discussed can still apply. Your digital merchandising and marketing efforts certainly involve site sections (news, blog, about, press releases, FAQs) with little retail functionality. Making this greenfield eco system worth learning more about in its entirety.
Technical vs. Content SAO
Not unlike traditional SEO, SAO sits somewhere on the fence between slick technical fundamentals and outstanding content quality. To truly optimize a site or a page for artificial intelligence inclusion, a mix of simplistic (article formatting) and higher level of effort (site speed) activities will yield the best results. Let’s divide the classifications as such and get into the nitty-gritty.
Technical SAO Strategies
1. Utilize Technical Best Practices
A solid site foundation has a direct impact on AI result inclusion:
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Improve page load speed - AI-powered systems tend to pick up faster-loading pages as sources of information.
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Implement basic mobile optimization - Generative search caters to mobile-first engagement.
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Submit XML sitemaps to ensure all site content gets crawled.
2. Monitor Performance with AI-Specific Metrics
Track how your content performs using metrics relevant to generative AI:
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Analyze AI user acquisition with metric-driven systems like GA4.
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Study referral traffic from AI tools (such as Bing and OpenAI).
3. Go Even Further With AI Tracking
Push the boundaries of the standard AI tracking functionality in your toolset.
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SEO super tools like SEMRush now indicate AI results in their position tracking reports. Make sure you know where they live and remember to check on fluctuations regularly.
Content-Focused SAO Strategies
To achieve visibility in generative search results, your content style should include guidelines that facilitate effortless understanding by AI agents. The information should be relevant to what users are querying and - in some cases - even match queries exactly .
1. Focus on Queries
AI models are designed to answer users' questions directly. To align with this fact:
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Create content that answers FAQs and Google's "People Also Ask" (PPA) results.
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Address the “how,” “what,” and “why” questions your audience is asking.
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Use conversational phrasing and natural language matching the way queries are likely phrased.
2. Redevelop Existing Content
Regularly revising your content and republishing old articles ensures both accuracy and that your content is engaging and up-to-date. Generative AI prefers fresh and correct content. AI crawlers recognize regularly updated websites as sites that value reliable content and trust this site to be trustworthy.
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Add "Last Updated / Originally Published" info at the top or bottom of a revised post for transparency with readers and algorithms.
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Don't forget to refresh publication dates.
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Resubmit updated pages to Google Search Console for expedited reindexing.
2. Leverage Schema Markup
The utilization of schema formats assists AI in parsing the subject and intent of your content. When properly marked up, it also increases the likelihood of it featuring in "Position Zero" and AI summary sections. Structured data offers AI tools a way to better interpret your on-page content. Common schema types to implement include:
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FAQ Schema for commonly asked questions.
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How-To Schema to outline step-by-step answers.
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Product Schema for detailed descriptions about product specs.
3. Optimize FAQ Pages Especially
AI-powered searches often rely heavily on FAQ pages because they offer concise answers. Craft FAQs strategically:
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Keep answers brief while providing clarity.
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Use subheadings like “common questions” to structure responses effectively.
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Add FAQ-specific schema markup for better discoverability by AI.
4. Make Content Readable / Skimmable
AI prioritizes content that is well-organized and easy to scan. Structuring your posts with clear subheadings, bulleted lists, and bold fonts ensures AI models can extract data quickly.
6. Build Authority Through E-E-A-T
AI agents are favoring content aligned with Google’s E-E-A-T principles (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). To enhance authority:
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Showcase credible authorship.
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Include data-backed insights and reputable outbound links.
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Include social proof such as customer reviews or case studies.
The Importance of Formatting in AI SEO
We could also call this section “Optimize for Featured Snippets”, and there’s a lot of evidence AI search agents respond well to articles previous designed to have “position zero” potential. It helps both human readers and AI easily comprehend the content structure and identify important information.
While some of this has been kinds / sorta covered above, there's a reason formatting has been broken out into it's own section. To make an impression - because it works where AI search inclusion is concerned.
Need more proof? Just look at the way the article you're reading this very moment has been formatted. The proof is in the pudding!
1. Start with questions like “How to…” or “What is…”
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Craft clear, concise questions that directly address user queries.
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Use heading tags (H2, H3) to structure content and highlight key questions.
2. Provide clear and short paragraphs (40 to 60 words) summarizing answers.
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Write concise, 40-50 word responses that directly answer the query.
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Place the main answer at the beginning, followed by additional context or details
3. Follow answers with a step-by-step bulleted or numbered list.
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Use heading tags to clearly define the structure of lists for easy identification by search engines.
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Organize information in a logical sequence, making it simple for both users and AI to follow.
4. Organize Your Writing with Informative Titles
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Separate different parts of your content logically with subtitles and H 2/3 tags to effectively guide readers through specific topics they seek to explore in your articles.
5. Use a Table of Contents
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Adding a table of contents at the start of your article helps readers find their way around and shows that your content is well-structured.
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Using anchor links to jump down directly to a chosen piece an also increase the full article’s chances of being selected for snippets / AI.
6. Incorporate Tables
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When you need to share in-depth details or instructions systematically, consider using a table to organize the content and make it easier to understand for readers and algos alike.
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Tables simplify concepts into manageable parts and assist artificial intelligence agents in identifying critical components for improved visibility and clarity.
Conclusion
Optimizing for AI-driven search results is no longer optional - it's a necessity. From formatting strategies to leveraging schema markup, SEO professionals, marketers, and business owners must adopt a dual content and technical approach to thrive within this new landscape.
The key takeaway is collaboration between well-written, intent-focused content and robust backend technical SEO. This winning combination will enhance visibility not just within search engine results, but also emerging generative AI-powered interactions.
Start implementing these strategies today and position your business at the forefront of AI search inclusion.
About Syntheum.ai
We help e-commerce retailers implement Agentic merchandising solutions that go beyond basic automation. By integrating truly intelligent systems into merchandising strategies, we help businesses unlock their full potential - delivering efficiencies that improve operations and redefine what’s possible in online sales.
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