AI Search Optimization (AISO) improves brand visibility in AI model responses. Unlike SEO for Google, AISO optimizes for ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini where consumers discover products.

How do I get my brand to show up in AI suggestions?

Optimize through AISO strategies: create authoritative content, build structured data, earn quality mentions, and monitor with tools like WerkHaus that track AI visibility real-time.

For Venture-Backed Startups

Build AI Visibility Before Your Competitors Do

Early-stage startups have a massive first-mover advantage in AI discovery. Establish category leadership before competitors wake up to AISO.

Work With Us →Test Your AI Visibility

Trusted by Series A-C startups building category-defining products

Why Startups Have the AI First-Mover Advantage

Category Creation

Your reality: You're defining a new category or solution type

Opportunity: Be the default answer when AI explains your category to future buyers. Own the positioning before incumbents adapt.

⏰ Now: Define it. Later: Fight established narratives.

Investor Validation

Your reality: VCs and angels research startups using AI

Opportunity: When investors ask AI about your space, you should appear as a credible player. AI visibility = legitimacy signal.

⏰ Next fundraise depends on AI perception.

Talent Acquisition

Your reality: Top engineers ask AI "best startups in [domain]"

Opportunity: Recruiting is your competitive advantage. Being AI-visible attracts better candidates who discover you organically.

⏰ Win the talent war before Series B.

Why Growth-Stage Startups Prioritize AISO

Low CAC Channel

AI-driven discovery is the lowest CAC channel available. No paid ads, no sales calls. Buyers discover you organically when researching solutions.

📊 AI discovery CAC: $0-$50 vs $200-$1,500 paid

Early Market Education

If you're creating a category, AI becomes your educator. When buyers ask "what is X?", AI explains using your positioning and examples.

📊 67% learn about new categories via AI

Competitor Leapfrogging

Incumbents are slow. You can establish AI dominance before they even understand AISO exists. 6-12 month head start = defensible moat.

📊 Early movers maintain 3-5x advantage

Product-Led Growth Fit

PLG startups rely on discovery. When developers/users ask AI for tools, you should appear. AI is the new "browse the tools" experience.

📊 PLG companies get 40%+ traffic from AI

Fundraising Narrative

Show investors AI traction metrics: "We're #1 ChatGPT recommendation in our category." Data-driven proof of category leadership.

📊 AISO metrics in 34% of pitch decks

Compounding Growth

AI visibility compounds. More mentions → more recommendations → more traffic → more mentions. The flywheel accelerates monthly.

📊 20-30% monthly compounding typical

Startup Success Story

How a Series A Startup Dominated AI Discovery

15x LLM traffic growth, became category leader in ChatGPT recommendations (March - August 2024)

15x

Traffic Growth

100 → 1,500+ sessions

Category Leader

Default AI recommendation

AI Platforms Ranked #1

ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini

Impact on Fundraising

The startup used AISO metrics in their Series B deck: "We're the #1 ChatGPT recommendation in our category, with 15x traffic growth in 6 months." Led to oversubscribed round with 40% higher valuation than initial target.