Best Semrush Alternatives for AI Search Optimization
A comparison of the best tools for AI search optimization, including how they compare to Semrush for the new world of AI-powered search.
Chris Poka
Founder
Semrush is a powerhouse for traditional SEO, but AI search requires different tools. If you're looking for solutions that track how your brand appears in ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity — not just Google — here are the best options.
Why Semrush Isn't Enough for AI Search
Semrush tracks Google rankings, backlinks, and keyword positions. It doesn't track:
- Whether ChatGPT recommends your brand
- What Claude says about your product
- How Perplexity cites your website
- Your position in Google AI Overviews
These are entirely different signals that require purpose-built tools.
Top Alternatives for AI Search
Elynn AI
Best for: Comprehensive AI visibility tracking and optimization
- Tracks mentions across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI, and Copilot
- Real-time monitoring with competitor comparison
- Automated optimization recommendations
- AI content generation optimized for answer engines
- Pricing: From $89/month
Try Elynn's free visibility check
Traditional SEO Tools (Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz)
Best for: Google rankings, backlinks, keyword research
Still essential for traditional SEO, but don't provide AI visibility data. Use alongside an AI-specific tool.
The Ideal Stack
| Need | Tool | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| AI Visibility | Elynn AI | $89-499/mo |
| Google SEO | Semrush or Ahrefs | $99-449/mo |
| Combined Budget | Both | $188-948/mo |
Making the Decision
If you're already using Semrush and your Google traffic is healthy, adding Elynn gives you visibility into a rapidly growing channel that Semrush simply doesn't cover. If you're starting fresh, Elynn covers the AI channel while Semrush covers Google.
Companies that optimize for both Google and AI search will dominate. See Elynn's pricing or run a free AI visibility check to see where you stand.