How to Influence ChatGPT & LLMs in 2026 - The SEO Playbook Nobody Is Talking About

11 Ways to Influence LLMs

Introduction to Influencing LLMs

• Metahan discusses 11 strategies for influencing large language models (LLMs), particularly focusing on ChatGPT and Gemini, which are currently trending in the digital landscape.

• He notes that Google Analytics consistently shows ChatGPT at the top of traffic sources, indicating its significant impact.

Key Strategies for Influencing LLMs

1. Building Consensus

• Creating listicles that include brand names can effectively influence LLM visibility; this method has shown results within 24 hours post-indexing.

2. Content Freshness

• Fresh and comprehensive content is favored by LLM algorithms, enhancing AI visibility when produced quickly.

3. Addressing Context Loss

• Longer documents may lead to context loss in LLM processing; using HTML tables and semantic tags can help maintain clarity and improve citation rates.

Compact Keywords Strategy

Overview of Compact Keywords

• A new SEO approach called "compact keywords" focuses on creating multiple short pages aimed at buyers rather than answering general questions.

• This strategy reportedly requires less effort compared to traditional SEO while yielding higher conversion rates.

Course Insights

• The "Compact Keywords" course offers dense information distilled into concise lessons, equipping users with effective sales techniques through SEO.

Contextual Considerations for LLM Processing

Importance of Structure

• Metahan explains that LLM context limits necessitate clear structuring of content; heavy JavaScript can hinder AI crawlers' ability to process information effectively.

User Perspective in Writing

• Writers should consider user experience when crafting prompts or articles, ensuring key information is presented clearly at both the beginning and end of the content.

Effective Use of Comparison Tables

Formatting Recommendations

• Comparison tables should align with user intent—transactional topics benefit from such structures, while informational topics may require different approaches.

Discussion on Comparison Tables and LLMs

The Effectiveness of Comparison Tables

• Discussion begins on the utility of comparison tables versus bullet points for presenting information, particularly in relation to LLM (Large Language Model) parsing capabilities.

• Concerns are raised about how LLMs might struggle with complex tables where relevant data is far apart, potentially leading to misinterpretation.

• The speaker reflects on whether detailed comparison tables or bullet points are more effective for conveying information clearly.

User Experience Considerations

• It is noted that while both formats can work, tables may be more efficient for users unless they become overly complicated with too many columns and rows.

• A personal example is shared regarding a VPN affiliate website that effectively uses comparison tables due to the nature of e-commerce content.

Insights from Industry Experts

• The speaker mentions discussions with Gagen Gotra about the effectiveness of comparison tables for LLM parsing, indicating ongoing research in this area.

Background and Experience in SEO

Personal Journey in SEO

• The speaker shares their extensive experience in SEO spanning over a decade and recent engagement with AI technologies like ChatGPT since mid-2023.

• They express a desire to learn coding to enhance their ability to create efficient websites independently.

Challenges Faced

• There’s an acknowledgment of struggles when collaborating with developers, highlighting a common challenge faced by marketers without technical skills.

AI Visibility and Traffic Trends

Observations on Market Trends

• The speaker discusses traffic fluctuations experienced while targeting the US market amidst changes related to AI features affecting search results.

Impact of AI Features

• Despite losing traffic, there was an increase in impressions; this indicates shifts in user behavior influenced by new AI functionalities.

Experiments Conducted for E-commerce Visibility

Surprising Findings from Experiments

• The speaker has conducted various experiments aimed at improving visibility for an e-commerce site that initially had low SEO performance.

• They emphasize respect for differing opinions within the industry regarding SEO versus other marketing strategies, noting their close relationship.

Semantic Understanding and Google’s Technology

• A belief is expressed that Google's technology excels at semantic understanding but also produces unpredictable results due to its generative nature.

Understanding SEO Volatility and AI Visibility

The Challenges of SEO in a Volatile Landscape

• The speaker discusses the volatility of search engine optimization (SEO), noting that it is even more unpredictable than Google.

• They introduce the concept of "reciprocal rank fusion," which relates to query fanouts, suggesting it will be a significant topic this year.

Content Gaps and AI Integration

• Early adopters of large language models (LLMs) focused on filling content gaps, emphasizing the importance of consensus-building in content strategy.

• The speaker shares an e-commerce experiment where they initially had zero visibility but improved it by creating topic clusters to fill content gaps.

Press Releases as a Tool for Visibility

• They highlight the effectiveness of press releases in enhancing brand visibility and connecting entities relevant to their niche.

• Recommendations for effective press release services include AP News and Reuters, which significantly impact AI visibility.

Effective Tools for SEO Strategy

• The speaker mentions using various press release distribution services like EIN Presswire and BrandPush.co to build authority online.

• They describe their method for link building, involving manual searches and utilizing platforms like WhitePress to find opportunities for link placements.

Backlinks and Content Optimization Strategies

• A discussion on trusted tools for SEO includes Cursor, Cloud, Gemini, SEMrush, Ahrefs, VisionArt, and SE Ranking.

• The debate around content chunking arises; the speaker argues that large blocks of text do not enhance user experience. Instead, breaking up text with tables or bullet points improves readability.

Content Chunking and Its Impact on SEO

The Importance of Content Chunking

• Content chunking enhances user experience by increasing average time spent on web pages, which is beneficial for Google rankings.

• There are no direct studies confirming the effectiveness of chunking, but anecdotal evidence suggests it can significantly boost AI traffic.

• Different AI models (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) utilize various parsing mechanisms; effective chunking aids in processing lengthy text blocks.

User Engagement and Readability

• Content chunking is a well-established best practice in copywriting and SEO, improving reader engagement by avoiding large block paragraphs.

• Readers find it challenging to engage with long paragraphs; chunked content facilitates easier reading and comprehension.

Implications for AI Models

• While LLMs can parse entire landing page texts effectively, visually chunked content primarily benefits SEO rather than LLM performance directly.

• Improved SEO visibility leads to better exposure in AI search results.

Google's Multimodal Search Engine Capabilities

Understanding Google's Discovery Engine

• Google offers tools for creating enterprise-specific search engines that can handle extensive document collections efficiently.

• The discovery engine product includes settings for content chunking, allowing headings to travel with their respective chunks for better context understanding.

Headings and Chunk Relationships

• Google’s technology connects heading structures with corresponding chunks, enhancing its ability to understand webpage content organization.

• This feature allows Google to interpret how headings relate to chunks, providing insights into the structure of information presented on web pages.

Comparative Analysis of Search Engines

Limitations of Current LLM Models

• Unlike Google's multimodal capabilities that recognize embedded videos and images related to topics or entities, other LLM models focus mainly on text semantics.

Insights from Perplexity's Approach

• Perplexity does not have its own LLM model but utilizes existing ones (like ChatGPT), employing high embedding similarity thresholds for query handling.

Reranking Mechanisms

• The reranking process remains a complex aspect within search engines; Perplexity has shown promising results through dynamic adjustments based on user intent.

AI Visibility and SEO Strategies

The Dynamic Nature of AI Citations

• AI citations are dynamic and change frequently, affecting rankings and visibility in search results.

• Even high-ranking domains may have low visibility in AI contexts, as seen with a major enterprise company.

Building Trust for Better Visibility

• Establishing trust on web pages is crucial; methods include case studies and PR campaigns to enhance credibility.

• Effective SEO goes beyond ranking; it should drive sales and build brand awareness, not just increase topical authority.

Off-Site SEO Impact

• Off-site activities like press releases can positively influence existing rankings while enhancing overall AI visibility.

• Strong foundational SEO practices are essential for improving crawling accessibility and user intent satisfaction.

Importance of Diverse Content Platforms

• Utilizing various platforms (e.g., Reddit, Quora, Medium, YouTube) can significantly boost AI visibility.

• YouTube is often underrated but holds potential for effective content marketing strategies.

Leveraging Social Media for SEO

• Managing multiple content types across different platforms helps establish expertise and trustworthiness.

• Facebook groups are gaining traction for parasite SEO efforts; however, competition varies based on participation levels.

Understanding Parasite SEO Techniques

• Many individuals lack knowledge about effective parasite SEO techniques such as keyword placement in posts or video descriptions.

• Experimentation with LinkedIn articles has shown effectiveness in driving traffic within the first 24 hours after publication.

Identifying Valuable Sources

• Recognizing valuable sources like specific subreddits or Facebook groups can enhance your parasite SEO strategy.

• Using a brand name across multiple domains can help combat competition effectively while leveraging platforms like YouTube.

AI Visibility Strategies for Increased Conversions

Understanding AI Visibility

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of AI visibility not just for its own sake but as a means to drive conversions, sales, and user engagement.

• A key tactic involves gathering real user questions to inform strategies aimed at increasing conversions through AI visibility.

Gathering User Questions

• The process begins with compiling hundreds of real user questions from active audience platforms, which can be transformed into synthetic prompts.

• Examples of effective questions include both purchase intent queries and general inquiries about products, showcasing the need for diverse question types.

Content Structuring Techniques

• The speaker suggests creating topic clusters around these questions and utilizing them in various formats such as blog posts or social media descriptions.

• Emphasizes the effectiveness of platforms like TikTok in enhancing AI visibility by tapping into trending topics that resonate with users.

Analyzing Social Media Dynamics

• Recognizing patterns on social media can provide insights into emerging user questions that may not yet be reflected in search engine data.

• By reviewing real user questions across different platforms, one can identify consistent themes that are crucial for driving conversions.

Conducting AI Visibility Audits

• When performing an AI visibility audit, the speaker starts by crawling websites using tools like Screaming Frog to assess their current health and identify content gaps.

• Custom JavaScript is employed to analyze crawl results and pinpoint missing topic clusters or issues affecting site performance.

Developing Topic Clusters

• The identification of topic clusters involves processing crawl data through custom scripts to understand how different LLM models interpret topics.

• This analysis helps create a strategy focused on query fan-outs, content gaps, link-building opportunities, and leveraging community platforms like Reddit.

Rapid Changes in AI Visibility Strategies

• The speaker notes that strategies related to AI visibility are evolving quickly due to advancements from companies like OpenAI and Google.

• There is a recognition that staying updated with these changes is essential for maintaining effective conversion strategies.

Universal Commerce Protocol and Its Implications

Overview of Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP)

• Discussion begins on the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) announced by Google, highlighting its potential impact on e-commerce.

• The UCP is seen as beneficial for merchants who provide detailed product information in a structured format, enhancing visibility and accessibility.

• The speaker notes that Google's new approach includes regular updates through blog articles or videos about their features.

Future of E-Commerce with Agentic Protocols

• Concerns are raised about the diminishing need for traditional websites if agentic commands can handle transactions directly.

• A steep learning curve is anticipated before widespread acceptance of agents for shopping occurs; trust issues with credit card transactions remain significant.

User Experience and Shopping Preferences

• The difference between online shopping and physical grocery shopping is emphasized, noting that many people enjoy the tactile experience of selecting items in-store.

• Personal preferences for grocery shopping are shared, indicating a resistance to fully transitioning to agent-based shopping experiences.

Merchant Adaptation to UCP

• Merchants using common e-commerce solutions like Shopify may not need extensive adjustments to comply with UCP due to developer support.

• Google’s expertise in transaction processes gives them an advantage in implementing UCP effectively.

Impact of Generative AI on Content Creation

• While generative AI disruptively affects various content types (e.g., news websites), it is noted that platforms like TikTok also contribute significantly to this shift.

• The conversation touches upon the monopolistic behavior of Google towards independent website owners, raising concerns about fairness in the digital marketplace.

Current Usage and Future Outlook

• The speaker mentions personal limitations accessing new features due to geographical restrictions but acknowledges a general hesitance among users regarding agent-based purchases.

• There’s recognition that while agents may not be widely used yet, their adoption could follow a rapid growth pattern once initial barriers are overcome.

Improving AI Visibility and SEO Strategies

Tools for SEO Research

• The speaker recommends using the Alibaba deep research tool, which is open source, to gather insights on user pain points related to SEO.

• They mention utilizing various tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for AI visibility checks and rank tracking.

• Cursor is highlighted as a favorite tool for playing with APIs in the context of SEO.

Challenges in Scraping Data

• The speaker discusses the increasing importance of web scraping in current times, likening it to challenges faced in the early 2010s.

• They share their experience with being blocked while scraping data from platforms like Reddit and how they rotate user agents to bypass these blocks.

Key Advice for Enhancing LLM Visibility

• The quickest way to improve visibility in large language models (LLMs) is by checking content freshness, particularly focusing on updates within the last six months.

• Updating content without changing URLs can significantly boost rankings; incorporating more questions at the end of articles is also advised.

FAQ Implementation Strategies

• The speaker suggests using H3 and H4 tags for FAQs rather than schema markup or typical accordion formats.

JavaScript's Impact on AI Visibility

• Discussion shifts towards how harmful JavaScript can be for AI visibility; developers are encouraged to explore GitHub scripts that enhance server-side rendering capabilities.

• Recommendations include looking into pre-rendering services and creating static HTML pages to improve crawlability by AI engines.

Importance of Content Freshness

• Emphasizes updating publication dates as a strategy; fresh dates have been shown to rank higher according to research conducted by IS Japan.

• Acknowledges a recency bias where newer content tends to perform better in search results due to its perceived relevance.

Reputation Management Insights

• Highlights the significance of reputation management when engaging in link building; attention should be paid to how brands are discussed across different platforms.

Global Opportunities with ChatGPT Usage

• Notes that there are significant opportunities for global companies, especially given Turkey's leading position in ChatGPT usage.

Discussion on Language and Global Websites

Importance of Language in Technology

• The speaker discusses the challenges faced by Turkey regarding language accessibility in technology, emphasizing the need for improvements in global websites to cater to various languages.

• There is an optimistic outlook for advancements in language systems this year, indicating a potential shift towards better inclusivity.

Personal Engagement and Resources

• Atan invites listeners to connect with him through his personal blog (metan.ai) and social media platforms like X and LinkedIn, highlighting his active presence online.

• Links to Atan's resources will be provided in the podcast description, encouraging audience engagement with his content.

Podcast Episode Highlights

Upcoming Guests

• The host expresses excitement about upcoming guests Jackie Chu and Lars Lofrren joining the podcast, hinting at an engaging discussion ahead.

• This episode marks a significant milestone as it is the 923rd consecutive day of hosting the podcast, showcasing dedication and consistency.