How to Rank on AIs and LLMs: The Hottest SEO Strategy of 2025

As we move further into 2025, AI-powered search engines and Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming the digital landscape. With search engines like Google using AI models to refine results and understand content more contextually, marketers must adapt to this shift. Ranking on AIs and LLMs isn't just about traditional SEO tactics anymore. Instead, it's about creating content that aligns with how AI interprets, processes, and serves information.

This article will explore the hottest SEO strategy for 2025: ranking on AI and LLMs and provide practical steps to ensure your content is optimized for these advanced technologies.

AI in SEO refers to the use of machine learning models that process vast amounts of data to determine what content is most relevant to a user’s query. For example, Google's RankBrain and BERT algorithms are AI-driven systems that focus on understanding the intent behind a search query, not just the keywords.

Example: AI now determines if your content is relevant to a user’s search intent by understanding language nuances, context, and sentiment, rather than relying on keyword frequency.

LLMs like OpenAI's GPT (including the one used to generate this text) and Google's PaLM are AI models that can generate, understand, and manipulate human language. These models are used to process search queries and generate answers, but they are also increasingly responsible for generating search results themselves.

Example: LLMs can generate rich, detailed responses to complex questions and can even summarize lengthy content. Google's BERT and MUM models use LLMs to analyze content and deliver the most contextually relevant answers.

Search engines are evolving, and traditional SEO tactics are no longer enough to stay competitive. As AI and LLMs become more sophisticated, they focus on content that satisfies search intent and provides the best possible answers to user queries. Understanding and adapting to how AIs and LLMs rank content is essential for ensuring your website’s success.

• Evolving Search Intent: AI-powered algorithms look beyond keywords and focus on the meaning and context behind those words, meaning you need to cater to search intent rather than just keyword density.

• Content Quality: AI models prioritize high-quality, comprehensive content that provides real value. They measure the depth, relevance, and usefulness of your content in answering user queries.

• Voice Search and Conversational Content: With LLMs capable of understanding natural language, voice search and conversational content are growing. Optimizing for these types of queries becomes key.

As AI and LLMs become better at understanding content context, user experience and engagement will play a significant role in ranking higher.

To succeed in SEO in 2025, it’s essential to align your content strategy with the evolving capabilities of AI and LLMs. Here's how you can adapt:

In 2025, ranking on AI-driven systems means moving beyond keyword stuffing. AI and LLMs prioritize search intent, which means understanding why a user is searching for something and what type of answer they expect.

Example: Instead of focusing on ranking for a keyword like “best running shoes,” you would focus on content that answers deeper questions such as, “What are the best running shoes for long-distance runners?” or “What factors should you consider when choosing running shoes?”

To optimize for search intent:

• Create content that directly addresses common user questions and pain points.

• Focus on long-tail keywords and more specific queries that reflect user intent.

• Use semantics and natural language to mirror how users ask questions and look for solutions.

AI and LLMs reward detailed and comprehensive content that answers a user’s query thoroughly. These models prefer content that covers topics in-depth, providing all necessary information in one place.

Example: For a topic like “How to start a blog,” an AI might rank a guide that covers everything from choosing a platform, selecting a domain, creating content, and promoting it over a short, basic article.

To create comprehensive content:

• Answer all possible questions related to the topic.

• Provide step-by-step guides, use cases, and examples to demonstrate expertise.

• Include rich media such as images, videos, and infographics that further explain your points.

A longer, well-researched piece will be favored by AI algorithms because it provides more value to the reader.

As AI and LLMs evolve, natural language processing (NLP) has become a key factor in SEO. People are searching in more conversational ways, particularly with voice search becoming increasingly popular. AI and LLMs understand and prioritize conversational queries.

Example: Instead of someone searching “best pizza near me,” they may say, “What are the best pizza places near me that deliver in 30 minutes?”

To optimize for conversational search:

• Use a conversational tone in your content.

• Optimize for question-based searches, like “how to,” “what is,” or “why is.”

• Include FAQ sections to directly answer common queries.

Optimizing for natural language and voice search will make your content more accessible to AI-driven systems, improving your chances of ranking.

Structured data (or schema markup) helps AI models and search engines better understand the content of your website. By using schema markup, you provide context and make it easier for AI to interpret the information.

Example: Adding structured data for reviews, events, recipes, and products makes it easier for AI to understand your content and display it in rich snippets or knowledge panels.

To leverage structured data:

• Use JSON-LD markup to mark up important content like reviews, products, and articles.

• Add FAQ schema to enhance visibility in answer boxes.

• Implement local business schema if you’re a location-based business, to improve local search visibility.

This helps AI models quickly identify your content’s relevance to user queries, which improves your chances of ranking.

User engagement signals like click-through rate (CTR), time on page, and bounce rate are increasingly factored into AI ranking algorithms. A great user experience (UX) ensures that visitors are satisfied, leading them to stay on your site longer and engage more deeply with your content.

Example: AI algorithms favor websites with fast load times, mobile optimization, and clear navigation, as these factors contribute to better user experiences.

To optimize for UX:

• Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and responsive.

• Improve page load speed through image optimization and reducing unnecessary scripts.

• Focus on user-friendly design with intuitive navigation, easy-to-read fonts, and accessible content.

A positive user experience not only boosts engagement but also signals to AI that your content is high-quality, improving your rankings.

Featured snippets and rich results are prime real estate in search engine results pages (SERPs). LLMs, like Google’s BERT, are highly focused on delivering direct answers to user queries, and ranking in these positions can increase your visibility.

Example: When users search for “How to make a cake,” Google often provides a recipe snippet at the top of the page. If your content appears in these rich snippets, it significantly increases click-through rates.

To optimize for rich results:

• Use bullet points, numbered lists, and tables for easy-to-scan answers.

• Create content that directly answers questions and provides “snipable” content.

• Implement schema markup to make your content eligible for rich results.

Being featured in these prime spots will increase both visibility and engagement, benefiting SEO.

To rank on AIs and LLMs in 2025, you need to move beyond traditional SEO tactics. Focusing on search intent, natural language, and user experience will make your content more appealing to AI-driven search engines. Combining these efforts with comprehensive content, structured data, and optimized design will not only improve your rankings but also provide a more engaging experience for your users.

As AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, adapting your SEO strategy to align with its capabilities is crucial. By implementing these strategies, you’ll position your website for success in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and large language models.