The state of AI Search reflects a major shift from keyword-based results to intent-driven, conversational, and multimodal responses. Search engines increasingly rely on LLMs to provide synthesized answers, making authoritative, structured, and user-focused content more important than ever.

AirOps has published a new report, ‘The 2026 State of AI Search: How Modern Brands Stay Visible’.

Oshen Davidson says, “The way people discover information has shifted with the rise of the answer-first web. Instead of scanning a list of links, millions now ask AI assistants for direct answers. That changed how categories form, how options are evaluated, and how brands earn visibility in search.

AI search does not behave like a traditional results page. There is no fixed ranking, no predictable position drops, and no stable “page one.” Visibility moves according to signals that update in real time. Brands drift in and out of answers based on freshness, authority, community validation, and how clearly their content can be interpreted as relevant and trustworthy.

Understanding these patterns gives teams an advantage. This report brings together research from AirOps and Kevin Indig to map the signals that mattered most in 2025 and show where brands need to invest to stay visible and competitive.

Fresh, Up-to-Date Content Drives Visibility in AI Search

AI models prioritize fresh, accurate content when generating answers. Models treat recency as a key signal of trust, especially when users compare options or make decisions. Maintaining fresh, up-to-date content is now non-negotiable for earning visibility in AI search.”

The 2026 State of AI Search: How Modern Brands Stay Visible

AirOps

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