As AI reshapes discovery and decision journeys, marketers must rethink both where they show up and how they persuade once they arrive.
Let’s start where most users now do: inside a chatbot’s answer box.
Ahrefs just dropped a hefty guide to 15 Answer Engine Optimization tools. It’s not exactly bedtime reading, but it does make one thing clear; if your brand isn’t showing up in AI-generated search results, you’re already behind. Platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are quietly becoming the new gatekeepers of discovery. And while they don’t look like search engines, they absolutely behave like them.
Ahrefs’ Brand Radar, for instance, helps you see where and how your brand is getting mentioned in AI responses. Others, like Morningscore and xofu, go even deeper, tracking how prompts are interpreted and which competitors are getting surfaced instead of you. It’s a strange new world, sure; but it’s also a very real one. If the AI summary box is the new front page of the internet, then AEO is your new homepage SEO.
But let’s not get too caught up in just showing up. Because once someone actually clicks through—assuming they do—you’ve got about three seconds to prove you’re worth their time.
That’s where HubSpot’s newly updated 2025 guide to landing page strategy comes in. It’s a refresh, not a reinvention, but it lands the punch; speed, clarity, and relevance still win. Especially on mobile, where attention spans are shorter and patience is nonexistent.
The guide breaks down what high-converting pages still have in common. One clear call-to-action. Fast load times. Copy that sounds like a human wrote it, but smarter. There’s a nod to AI tools like HubSpot’s Campaign Assistant, which can help with drafting and testing. But the core message is refreshingly analog; know what your visitor wants and give it to them fast.
So here’s the real takeaway: being found isn’t the goal. Being chosen is.
That means optimizing not just for the AI that’s summarizing your brand, but for the human who’s deciding whether to care. The first impression might come from a language model’s answer. The second, from a landing page on a cracked phone screen during someone’s lunch break. Both moments matter. Both need to be built with intention.
And while we’re talking about what works, a few other updates worth your scroll:
- If you’re still guessing what makes a Facebook ad click-worthy,
HubSpot’s got a roundup of 16 that actually performed—with context. Not just pretty screenshots, but explanations of why they worked. Think framing, targeting, and yes, the occasional dad joke headline. - Content pillars are back in the chat.
Not the most glamorous topic, but if your social calendar feels like a game of Mad Libs, this one’s worth a look.
It’s a solid framework for keeping your themes consistent without sounding robotic. - And for the overworked among us,
HubSpot’s free landing page builder now comes with AI baked in,
CRM integration, and mobile optimization out of the box.
If you’re juggling 12 other priorities, this might be the shortcut you need.
So yes, the funnel’s gotten weirder. Discovery starts with machines. Decisions still end with people. Your job? Make sure both ends are speaking the same language.
That’s it for today, folks.
Catch you in the next post.
Until then, keep building.
– Perfect Sites Blog