AI Search Landscape: ChatGPT vs Claude vs Perplexity

Not all AI search engines work the same way. Understanding the differences between ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Microsoft Copilot is essential for optimizing your brand's visibility across the AI landscape.

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

• Monthly queries: 1.5B+
• Browsing: Real-time web access for Plus/Enterprise users
• Citation style: Sometimes cites sources, often synthesizes from training data
• Key factor: Brand authority and consistent web presence across multiple sources

Claude (Anthropic)

• Strength: Detailed, nuanced responses with high accuracy
• Citation style: Tends to recommend based on well-documented capabilities
• Key factor: Clear, structured content that explains your product's differentiators

Perplexity AI

• Unique feature: Always cites sources with inline references
• Citation style: Links directly to source URLs in every response
• Key factor: Fresh, well-structured content that Perplexity's crawler can index

Google AI Overviews

• Reach: Appears at the top of Google search results
• Citation style: Links to source pages alongside the AI summary
• Key factor: Traditional SEO signals plus structured data (FAQ schema, How-to schema)

Cross-Platform Strategy

Each platform weighs different signals, which is why tracking your visibility across all of them matters. A brand might rank well on Perplexity (which favors fresh content) but be invisible on ChatGPT (which relies more on training data authority).

Run your free AI visibility check to see how you perform across all major AI engines, or learn more about Elynn's multi-engine tracking.