Marie Haynes observed ChatGPT referrals plateaued and declined since August 2025 while millions use AI search inside Google daily. Evidence confidence: hypothesis, not yet confirmed.

Rule aeo-7a5f243d67333c38 · strategy · hypothesis, not yet confirmed

Prioritize optimizing for Google's AI surfaces (AI Overviews, AI Mode) over chasing ChatGPT citations, because Google is where AI search actually sends people to businesses today.

Applies to: all

Hypothesis: the reasoning is published, but no independent evidence confirms it yet. Test it on your own pages before you rely on it.

Why this matters

Marie Haynes observed ChatGPT referrals plateaued and declined since August 2025 while millions use AI search inside Google daily.

Implementation

Type: not_automatable

Anti-pattern

Spending the GEO budget on ChatGPT mention tracking while ignoring how Google's AI surfaces represent your brand.

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