Since launching in March 2025 the Answer Engine Optimization software category on G2 has surged from around seven products to more than 150, marking over 2000% expansion as companies respond to AI’s impact on discovery and purchasing.
G2’s first Grid Report for AEO reflects its emergence as a distinct software segment as B2B buyers increasingly rely on AI chatbots rather than traditional search. An August study by G2 found half of B2B buyers now start their software research using AI tools instead of Google, with a majority favoring models like ChatGPT.
AEO tools help brands improve visibility and relevance in AI-generated answers by tracking where and how often they are cited, understanding AI interpretation of their content, and benchmarking against competitors.
