09/09/2026
One of the advantages of AI search is that it's first response will usually offer a variety of possible answers if the query is short and fairly open.
As an example, asking Gemini (Google) about a 'Feature Wall in Lancaster' provides three possible scenarios:
1. I want a media wall installing
2. I want to purchase wallpaper
3. I want a decorator to create a feature wall
This gives your business more chance of appearing in the answer as a citation, as depending which path the user chooses, the AI will then narrow the citations to suit it. If it just assumed they wanted scenario 3 and didn't prompt to narrow it down, the businesses in scenarios 1 and 2 wouldn't have a chance to be cited.
It works differently to traditional Google search, which processes the search query to guess which scenario the user wants, then presents Ads first, followed by map listings, and then eventually the organic website results, which will be skewed towards one of the scenarios.
On a side note, it was pleasing to see our clients featured as the top citations for scenarios 1 and 3 in the above AI search - J Procter Joinery for media wall installation (1), and Lime Tree Properties for feature wall decoration (3). Scenario 2 presented a local decorating supply shop.