“Working with PR Volt has helped us get Rugs Direct covered across a broader range of relevant sites, which has expanded our visibility beyond traditional search. We’ve seen a meaningful increase in how often AI platforms mention and recommend Rugs Direct, and more importantly, we’re starting to see that visibility translate into increased purchase intent. It’s been a strong added benefit of the program."
Why AI Search Visibility Is a New Challenge
Traditional SEO is built around ranking on a results page. AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews work differently: they generate a direct answer, often naming only a handful of brands, drawn from a broad pool of sources across the web rather than a single ranked list. That means strong visibility on Google alone doesn't guarantee a brand gets named when a shopper asks an AI tool for a recommendation. This shift is often called AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) or GEO (Generative Engine Optimization).
The Situation
Rugs Direct wanted the kind of coverage that puts a brand in front of shoppers already looking to buy, placements in the reputable home, lifestyle, and shopping outlets its customers actually read. That's the same earned media approach PR Volt has always focused on. What's become a clear added benefit is that this same coverage is now showing up in AI-generated shopping answers as well.
Measuring AEO and GEO Impact Alongside Traditional Results
Earning Coverage in the Outlets Shoppers Already Trust
Placements were built around real buyer questions, like the best rugs for high-traffic areas or where to buy quality rugs online, rather than general brand coverage. Those same topics turn out to be common AI shopping prompts as well.
Staying Consistent Over Time
Coverage didn't come from a single campaign; it built up steadily over six months. That consistency compounds, and it's shown up in both traditional reach and, as an added benefit, in how often and how favorably AI tools mention the brand.
Measuring the Ripple Effect
PR Volt now also tracks Rugs Direct's presence across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Gemini, and other AI tools, giving visibility into a channel traditional reporting doesn't cover.
The Results, Expanded
Over six months, Rugs Direct earned 33 placements across major outlets including CNN, Forbes, and USA Today, for a combined reach of nearly 3 million. Coverage like this puts the brand in front of shoppers actively researching what to buy, builds a level of trust a paid ad can't replicate, and drives direct traffic and sales from readers who are ready to purchase.
That same coverage has also shown up in AI-generated shopping answers. Weekly AI mentions grew 183% and average position, how prominently the brand appears when it is mentioned, improved from 2.10 to 1.69, moving Rugs Direct into the top two positions among rug retailers named by AI tools. Purchase intent tied to those mentions rose from 71.8% to 84.9% with no significant reversals, meaning shoppers encountering Rugs Direct through AI answers are increasingly likely to buy.
Ready to Show Up Where Customers Are Searching
AI search is becoming a real starting point for how people shop. Brands showing up there aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets; they're the ones building consistent visibility across the web over time. If you're wondering whether your brand is showing up in AI-generated answers, or what an AEO or GEO strategy could do for it, schedule a call.
.svg)
-min.png)
