The Rise of LLM Visibility: What It Means for Your Brand
If you’ve noticed a drop in your Google traffic—but more people are calling, searching your company name, or typing your URL directly into the browser—you’re not alone.
At The Design Boutique here in San Francisco, right next door to Silicon Valley’s innovation engine, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. Clients are showing up, but not through the usual channels. And the data just caught up with what many of us have been feeling: search is changing.
Welcome to the Era of AI Discovery
Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are quietly changing how people find and connect with brands. According to new research from Semrush, LLM-driven traffic could overtake traditional Google search by 2027. The kicker? You won’t see it in your analytics.
Users ask AI for recommendations, your brand is mentioned, and later they come back—directly or via a branded search. You don’t get a click from Google, but you absolutely made an impression.
What Discovery Looks Like Now
Old path: Google → Click → Explore → Decide
New path: Ask AI → See mention → Visit later (direct or branded)
We’re seeing this with clients of all sizes.
College students treat ChatGPT like an OS, 20- and 30-somethings treat it like a trusted advisor, and older users see it as Google 2.0. Regardless of generation, people are discovering you through LLMs—even if you can’t see the trail.
So How Do You Show Up in AI Answers?
Here’s the part I love: it’s not about chasing rankings. It’s about creating content that actually helps.
- Write with depth and clarity about your niche
- Share the insights only you have (don’t just echo the same 5 tips everyone else has)
- Show up in the same places as your peers—roundups, interviews, smart commentary
- Say something real. Thin, AI-generated content is everywhere, and it shows
At The Design Boutique, we’ve always focused on quality over quantity. Turns out, that’s exactly what LLMs reward.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re not sure where to start, or want help building a presence that shows up in all the right places (human or machine), we’re here.
Let’s make sure your brand doesn’t just show up—but stands out.
With Love, Laney
