How long does it take to see results from GEO optimization?

Results from GEO efforts typically begin appearing within 2-4 weeks after content optimization or creation, though this varies by platform and content type. ChatGPT indexes new content relatively quickly when crawling is enabled, while platforms like Perplexity that conduct real-time searches may reflect changes faster. Building sustainable AI visibility typically requires 3-6 months of consistent implementation.

Can small law firms compete with large firms for AI citations?

Yes. SE Ranking found that domain traffic below 190,000 monthly visitors had minimal correlation with citations—a site receiving 20 organic visitors performed similarly to one receiving 20,000. What matters more is content quality, structure, and expertise signals. Small firms can compete effectively by creating deeply authoritative content in specific niches, conducting original research, and building targeted backlinks.

Should law firms create Wikipedia pages?

While Wikipedia dominates ChatGPT citations, creating Wikipedia pages for law firms is challenging and often inadvisable. Wikipedia has strict notability requirements and prohibits promotional content. Instead, apply Wikipedia's structural principles to your own content: clear definitions, comprehensive coverage, neutral tone, and extensive citations. The goal is to emulate Wikipedia's authority signals, not necessarily to appear on Wikipedia itself.

How important is Reddit for law firm AI visibility?

Reddit's importance varies by platform: 11.3% of ChatGPT's top citations, 20% for Google AI Overviews, and 46.7% for Perplexity. For law firms, this suggests maintaining an authentic, helpful presence in legal subreddits like r/legaladvice. The key is providing genuine value—Reddit communities quickly identify and penalize promotional content. Helpful answers that demonstrate expertise can lead to organic mentions that AI systems pick up.

Does traditional SEO still matter for AI visibility?

Absolutely. SE Ranking's research shows that pages ranking between positions 1-45 in Google averaged 5 ChatGPT citations, compared to 3.1 for pages ranking 64-75. The study concluded that while ChatGPT doesn't rely directly on Google's index, both systems evaluate authority and content quality similarly. Strong technical SEO foundations support both traditional and AI visibility.

What content length works best for ChatGPT citations?

SE Ranking found that articles over 2,900 words averaged 5.1 citations versus 3.2 for articles under 800 words. Ahrefs reported that ChatGPT's most-cited pages average 2,800 words. However, structure matters more than raw length—pages with section lengths of 120-180 words between headings performed best (4.6 citations average). The optimal range is 2,000-3,500 words of well-structured, comprehensive content.

How do I track my law firm's AI citation performance?

Traditional SEO tools can't measure AI visibility. Specialized tools like Ahrefs Brand Radar, Promptwatch, or Promptmonitor track brand mentions and citations across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI platforms. Additionally, monitor your Google Analytics for referral traffic from AI platforms—ChatGPT referrals appear as traffic from chat.openai.com. You can also manually test relevant queries across AI platforms to see if your firm appears.

2 - 2025 - Intercore Technologies

ChatGPT Citation Patterns

📑 What the Data Reveals: ChatGPT’s Top 10 Citation Sources Why Wikipedia Dominates (And What Law Firms Can Learn) The 20 Factors That Influence ChatGPT Citations Content Traits That Get Cited Most Building a Citation-Worthy Strategy for Your Law Firm How Different AI Platforms Choose Sources Frequently Asked Questions When a potential client asks ChatGPT to recommend a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, where does the AI get its answer? New research analyzing over 680 million citations reveals a surprising truth: ChatGPT overwhelmingly favors specific types of sources—and most law firm websites aren’t among them. According to Profound’s comprehensive study of AI citation patterns from August 2024 to June 2025, Wikipedia accounts for nearly half (47.9%) of ChatGPT’s top 10 most-cited sources. Reddit follows at 11.3%, with Forbes, G2, TechRadar, and NerdWallet rounding out the leaders. This distribution fundamentally changes how law firms must approach Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). The stakes couldn’t be higher. AI-referred sessions jumped 527% between January and May 2025, according to Previsible’s AI Traffic Report. ChatGPT alone now receives over 4.5 … Learn More

Day: February 17, 2025

ChatGPT Citation Patterns

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