TL;DR

AI searches are taking over, and if you want your business to stay visible, you need to invest in generative engine optimization. Ahrefs is mainly a traditional SEO tool with some AI tracking features. Bear AI, on the other, hand offers detailed AI mention tracking, content generation, competitor benchmarking, and automated outreach. For future-proof AI visibility, Bear AI is the stronger choice.

_

When was the last time you used AI to search for something? We're pretty sure your answer is "earlier today." That alone is proof enough that the way the world searches online has changed, and so has the way products and services are discovered.

Search is no longer just about Google. AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini are rewriting the rules by giving people direct answers, often skipping the search results page altogether. If your brand isn’t mentioned or cited in those AI answers, it doesn’t matter how many backlinks you have or how perfectly optimized your on-page SEO is; you’ll be invisible in the conversations that actually drive buying decisions.

That's where AI search engine optimization platforms like Bear AI and Ahrefs come in: to help your brand earn mentions, citations, and visibility directly inside AI-generated answers. But which of the two will drive actual results for your business? Here's the breakdown.
Is Generative Engine Optimization Worth The Investment?

The short answer is yes. AI-powered search engines are changing what visibility means. Rather than only showing up via rankings and backlinks, brands now need to be mentioned by AI tools when people ask questions. As one analyst put it, “traditional search was built on links, but GEO is built on language.”

And this matters because 71.5% of users say they use AI for search, although only 14% do so daily. In fact, research even shows that GEO can boost visibility by up to 40% in generative responses. 

If your brand isn’t being cited by those AI tools, you’re invisible to people making decisions right now. GEO helps you show up directly in AI-generated answers, secure citations and mentions that build credibility, and gain a competitive edge over brands still stuck in old-school SEO. Most importantly, it future-proofs your visibility as AI search continues to dictate how people discover and choose products or services.

Bear AI

What makes Bear AI the fastest-growing AI search optimization platform? While most tools stop at sending you generic mention alerts, Bear AI actually teaches you how and why those mentions happen, then shows you exactly how to get more of them. Here are some of its best features.

Granular Source Analysis

Forget vague dashboards. With Bear AI, you get a list of the exact sources AI models use when deciding which brands to cite in their answers. It shows you all the articles, sites and blogs AI is referring to and whether they talk about you with praise or criticism. That means no more guessing. You'll simply know what works and where to double down.

Content Generation

Most content tools pump out keyword-stuffed articles that may rank in Google, if you’re lucky. Bear AI generates authoritative, long-form content inspired by the very sources AI engines are already referencing. The result? Articles that keep Google’s algorithm happy and get picked up by AI-driven search. This makes it easier for you to ensure your brand shows up where AI engines search. 

Competitor Benchmarking

Just like with SEO, it takes a brand with a great strategy to be picked up by AI search engines, and that could be your competitor. Bear AI lets you see how your brand stacks up against them and shows you exactly where they are being mentioned, along with where they are not, so you can take advantage of their weakness.

AI-Powered Outreach Agents

Think mentions plus brand credibility online. That’s where Bear AI’s outreach agents shine. Bear AI helps place your content on high-authority sites by reaching out to them. That way, both traditional SEO and AI models will have even more reason to trust your brand. The result? More mentions where it matters.

1. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a leading marketing and SEO platform that has just stepped into the generative engine optimization space. It comes with a few useful features you can use to understand your position, and here are some of them.

AI Mention Tracking

Ahrefs' AI overview tracking tool shows when your brand pops up on Google's AI Overview feature, along with how those mentions affect your traffic and visibility. It also recently launched a Brand Radar tool that tracks mentions in ChatGPT and perplexity while also showing you gaps where competitors are being cited but you aren’t. This helps you find high-intent keyword or topic opportunities where you can target content to capture missed visibility.

AI Content Helper

Ahrefs’ AI Content Helper helps you optimize a page by comparing your content with top-ranking competitor pages. It identifies which topic areas your content is missing, scores how well you cover them, and suggests improvements to improve relevance and topical breadth. It also includes an AI chat assistant for brainstorming, feedback, or refining content as you write.

Keyword Explorer, Search Intent & Keyword Tools

Ahrefs' AI Suggestions in the Keywords Explorer helps you quickly generate new keyword ideas using AI. It also comes with the Search Intent tools, which let you classify SERP results according to what users intend to find, which can help you align your content with what AI search engines favor.

AI Writing 

Need to generate content? The AI writing assistant can generate copy in different formats, so you can use it on different aspects of your site. However, don't expect it to be geared toward AI engine visibility. 

To Conclude

AI search engines could just be the next best thing to happen to the World Wide Web after Google. They can be the best thing to happen to you, too, provided you make the smart move of investing in a GEO platform like Bear AI. 

Ready to see how Bear AI can turn you into the brand AI loves to mention? Try it for free!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GEO?

Generative engine optimization in laymans terms is simply the practice of making your content more likely to be cited or used in AI-generated answers. You can find out more about how it works here.

Does being mentioned by search engine increase traffic?

Absolutely, and studies even suggest that optimizing content for AI search engines can boost your visibility by up to 40%.

Can I use Bear AI and Ahrefs together to see results?

That depends on your goals. Bear AI was made exclusively for GEO purposes and covers all aspects of AI search engine optimization. Ahrefs will benefit you more if you’re focused on traditional SEO. Using both together helps you hold fort in both traditional and AI searches.

Is GEO a replacement for regular SEO?

No. If anything, GEO and traditional SEO complement each other. GEO simply helps you bridge the gap between being found on Google and being mentioned by AI tools that people now rely on. 

How do I get started with GEO?

It’s easy. Simply start by auditing your content with a GEO tool like Bear AI to see where AI engines already find or ignore your brand. From there, you’ll get actionable insights to help you fill those gaps and get mentioned where it matters.

What makes Bear AI different from Ahrefs?

Bear AI is built specifically for AI search optimization, showing you exactly where and how AI engines mention your brand. Ahrefs, on the other hand is a broader SEO platform that recently introduced AI tracking features. However, it’s not that great when it comes to broader GEO.