The Ranking Expert: How to DOMINATE AI Search in 2026 (ChatGPT, AI Overview)

The podcast explores the transition from traditional SEO to AEO (Agentic Engine Optimization) in the age of AI. It questions whether SEO is dead and examines how companies should adapt to AI agents scouring the internet. Ethan Smith suggests that while much of traditional SEO still applies, AEO requires a greater focus on off-site optimization and addressing long-tail queries. Rahul Jain highlights the increasing importance of mentions in long-tail publications and listicles for visibility in LLMs, even as tier-one publishers experiment with blocking crawlers. The discussion also covers the debate on whether to pursue a venture-backed software approach versus a specialized agency model in the SEO/AEO space.