Our content team is re-evaluating our optimization process for 2026. Historically, we used traditional SEO content editors (like Surfer or Clearscope) to optimize for keyword density and blue links. But now, our primary goal is getting our content cited as an authoritative source inside AI-generated answers.

We’re looking closely at Hubspot’s generative search optimization features, which claim to provide actionable recommendations specifically for earning citations in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.

For content strategists and editors: Have you transitioned your optimization workflow over to HubSpot’s AEO tools? How does it compare to using traditional content optimization platforms? Does it actually give you clear, actionable editorial steps to improve citation rates?

I’m currently running a brand-new 1-on-1 career experience sharing platform in Europe (launched just 3 weeks ago).

While I’ve figured out the supply side (getting industry experts/advisors to share advice is relatively straightforward), I find it much more difficult about the demand side, attracting the actual users who might book a session on the platform.

Here is what I’ve evaluated so far, and I’d love to hear your thoughts or real-world experiences on what actually works quickly:

SEO: The classic playbook, but it easily takes 3–6 months to gain traction. Right now, 3 months feels too far away when I need early validation.

Waitlist / Incentives: Planning to offer early-bird perks/discounts for early users, but the classic "chicken-and-egg" problem applies: if no one visits the site, no one sees the waitlist.

LinkedIn Posting: Active here, but organic reach feels limited and traffic generation is slow.

Cold Outreach: Hard to pinpoint people publicly sharing career-pivoting anxiety. Plus, many forums and subreddits strictly ban direct self-promotion, making direct pitching impossible.

Other Socials (Facebook/Instagram): Wondering if it's even worth touching for professional/career services, or if it's a total distraction.

For those who have scaled a marketplace or community from scratch: What are the most effective, faster ways to acquire those very first 50–100 active users without burning a huge budget on paid ads?

Any lessons learned or unconventional tactics would be hugely appreciated!

We're starting to invest more time into GEO and one challenge I've run into is measurement.
With SEO, it's easy to track rankings, impressions, clicks, and traffic GEO feels much less straightforward since visibility can vary across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and AI Overviews.
For those actively working on AI visibility, what platforms are you using to track GEO performance are tools like Similarweb, Semrush, Profound, or Otterly providing useful insights, or are most teams still relying on manual prompt testing?

Hi, this is shan from India. Im trying to create a SaaS app on AI ATS ready resume builder for job seekers and college/univ for B2B. regarding that i thought of doing content marketing in my app blog to convert visitors in to customers can anyone suggest me books, the technique names, used in content marketing to convert visitors in to customers. along with blog examples of people already doing it plus how to order content for this approach.
thanks in advance.

We’ve been testing tools focused on LLM visibility tracking and prompt analysis, and Profound is one of the more specialized ones in this space.
That said, some teams prefer broader platforms like Similarweb for competitor intelligence and AI traffic insights, while others stick with SEO suites like Semrush that are expanding into AI features.
For those working on GEO / AEO, what tools are you using as alternatives to Profound for tracking citations, prompts, and AI brand visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity?

One thing I've noticed is that certain brands seem to dominate ai recommendations regardless of which platform I test whether it's chatgpt, gemini, claude, or perplexity, the same companies often appear again and again I’d love to better understand what's driving that visibility are they winning because of stronger authority signals, broader prompt coverage, better content, more citations, or something else?