Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about AI ranking, our tool, and AI search optimization strategies.

What is HowDoIRankOnAI?

HowDoIRankOnAI is a free tool that checks how your website ranks across five major AI models: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and DeepSeek. It measures three dimensions of your AI visibility: Retrieval Likelihood (are you recommended in your category?), Answer Presence (do AI models know you exist?), and Interpretation Quality (do they accurately describe what you do?).

Is HowDoIRankOnAI free?

Yes, HowDoIRankOnAI is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, no account required, and no limits on how many times you can check your ranking.

How long does an analysis take?

A typical analysis takes 20-40 seconds. We query all five AI models in parallel and analyze the results in real-time. The exact time depends on the response speed of each AI model at the time of your query.

How often should I check my AI ranking?

We recommend checking at least once per month. AI models are updated regularly, and your ranking can change as new training data is incorporated. More frequent checks (weekly) are useful during active optimization campaigns so you can track the impact of your efforts.

Why do different AI models give different results?

Each AI model is trained on different datasets, with different cutoff dates, and uses different fine-tuning approaches. OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, and DeepSeek each have their own data pipelines and training methodologies. This means your brand may be well-known to one model but unknown to another. Comprehensive AI search optimization means ensuring visibility across all major models.

What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing your online presence to improve visibility in AI-generated responses. It is the AI equivalent of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). While SEO focuses on ranking in Google and other search engines, GEO focuses on being recommended by AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Read our complete GEO guide for more details.

How is AI ranking different from Google ranking?

Google ranking determines your position in a list of search results. AI ranking determines whether you are mentioned at all in AI-generated answers. There is no position #1 through #10 in AI search — your brand is either included in the response or it is not. This binary nature makes AI visibility both simpler to understand and more consequential to your business.

Can I improve my AI ranking?

Yes. AI ranking is influenced by your brand's presence and authority across the web. You can improve it by creating authoritative content, earning mentions from respected sources, maintaining consistent brand information, and building genuine category authority. See our detailed guide on improving your score for specific strategies.

How long does it take to see improvements?

For AI models with real-time web retrieval (like ChatGPT with browsing), improvements can appear within weeks. For improvements in base model knowledge, expect 3-6 months as models are retrained on updated data. Consistent effort compounds over time — the businesses that start optimizing now will have a significant advantage as AI search continues to grow.

Do you store my data?

No. We do not store your analysis results or share your data with third parties. Each analysis is performed on-demand and the results are displayed only in your browser session. We do not require an account or any personal information to use the tool.