LLM Seeding: A New SEO Strategy to Get Mentioned by LLMs

6 Steps to Get AI to Recommend Your Brand

Find Out What's Stopping You From Ranking Higher

What the Heck Is LLM Seeding?

LLM seeding is the practice of publishing content in the formats and places LLMs are most likely to scrape, summarize, and cite. Here’s an example of a Backlinko article that encourages scraping with an LLM-friendly format:

You’re not just optimizing for Google. You’re optimizing for ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and any other LLMs or AI search engines your audience uses.

Here’s how it works:

You create AI-friendly content, such as comparison posts with tables and FAQ sections. When people ask LLMs for information related to your industry, they mention your brand in the answer. Over time, these citations drive more branded searches, direct traffic, and trust in your name.

3 Big Benefits of LLM Seeding

According to a Semrush study, AI search traffic will surpass traditional search by the end of 2027.

1. Brand Exposure Without Traffic Dependence

Google’s AI Overviews provide detailed answers to questions, allowing searchers to bypass Google and other search engines entirely.

2. Authority by Association

When large language models mention your brand alongside industry leaders, it boosts your authority. For example, I asked ChatGPT to recommend products for dogs with leaky gut. It suggested both major brands and lesser-known brands.

3. Leveled Playing Field

LLMs prioritize the best answers, no matter what page they’re on. Your comparison post on page 4 could get cited more than a competitor ranking in Google’s top 5 — if your content provides better answers.

What to Publish (So You Get Cited by LLMs)

LLMs are citation machines. Here are the formats that consistently get picked up:

Structured “Best Of” Lists

Both readers and LLMs appreciate a “best of” list with clear structure and useful comparisons.

First-Person Product Reviews

Authentic, hands-on reviews are another format LLMs tend to favor because they include measurable outcomes and follow repeatable testing processes.

Comparison Tables (Especially Brand vs. Brand)

Mid-funnel users use AI platforms to help make purchasing decisions. Present your content in a clean, structured format, such as a table or chart.

FAQ-Style Content

LLMs are trained on Q&A content from platforms like Quora and Reddit. Adding FAQ-style posts to your content is beneficial.

Opinion-Led Pieces with Clear Takeaways

Coming up with a unique take on something in your industry can increase LLM citations.

Visuals with Clear Captions and Context

Visual content keeps readers engaged and provides context for LLMs. Write full-sentence captions that explain what is pictured and why it matters.

Tools, Templates, and Frameworks

Offer valuable resources that solve real problems to get referenced in LLM conversations.

Where to Seed Your Content for Maximum LLM Pickup

Publishing great content is only half the battle. The other half? Getting it in front of the right crawlers.

Third-Party Platforms

Platforms like Medium and LinkedIn articles are ideal for getting your content noticed by LLMs.

Trusted Industry Publications

Create a strategy to share content and quotes in high-impact publications to boost your LLM visibility.

User-Generated Content Hubs

Participate in relevant subreddits and Quora to seed your expertise and increase your visibility in LLMs.

Editorial-Style Microsites

Build a credible resource that covers your entire industry to boost your chances of citation.

Comparison and Review Sites

Encourage detailed, experience-based reviews on platforms like G2 and TrustRadius to improve your performance.

Social Platforms

Using clear, searchable language on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube is key to increasing the chances of LLM citations.

How to Track LLM Seeding Success

Branded and Direct Traffic Growth

Noticed your impressions are increasing, but clicks are decreasing? This may indicate that LLMs are affecting your traffic patterns.

Brand Mentions in AI Tools

To gauge your LLM visibility, manually prompt different tools to see how your brand shows up in AI-generated answers.

Unlinked Brand Mentions

Use tools to track brand mentions and analyze the context to understand how you’re being positioned in the market.

LLM Visibility Across Platforms

Use specialized tools to measure your success across AI platforms, including sentiment analysis to understand brand perception.

Make LLMs Work for You, Not Against You

The brands that get cited in AI answers will win mindshare, even if they never rank #1 or get a single click. Don’t fight the machine — work with it.