The fastest way to rank in AI search is to get your brand mentioned on the websites that large language models already cite. These are primarily listicles and directories like Yelp, Justia, and industry-specific “best of” pages. Paid placements on these sites currently cost $100 to $200 as a one-time fee, but that pricing won’t last.
At TJ Digital, we’ve been tracking which sources LLMs cite when clients ask us to improve their AI visibility. We’re seeing cases where a business can be listed at the top of one of the most cited pages in their industry for $100 or $200. Not per month. Just a one-time payment. That’s a screaming deal when you consider where this is heading.
Once Google replaces traditional search with something closer to AI mode (I expect this by 2026), these placements will become 10× more valuable. The market just hasn’t caught up yet.
What’s the Difference Between Traditional SEO and AI Search?
The rules have changed.
| Traditional SEO | AI Search Optimization |
| Goal: Rank #1 on Google | Goal: Get recommended by LLMs |
| Success = clicks from search results | Success = being cited in AI answers |
| Users browse links and choose | Users get direct recommendations |
| Build backlinks and target keywords | Build mentions on sites LLMs reference |
In traditional search, you rank on a results page and users pick a link. In AI search, the user expects an answer with built-in recommendations. As Orbit Media explains, traditional search is about getting ranked and clicked. AI search is about getting recommended.
Why Do LLMs Cite Listicles More Than Other Content?
Large language models are excellent at parsing structured content.
Here’s a real example: one firm published a 10,000-word research report that got ignored by AI. A simple “Top 10 Trends” list from the same firm was cited across every major AI platform. Same information, different format, completely different results.
Research from Search Engine Land found that listicle formats account for 32.5% of all sources cited by AI models. List items act like pre-packaged knowledge chunks that LLMs can quickly extract and recombine into their answers.
Numbered lists with clear headings are easier for machines to parse than paragraphs of narrative text. The structure does the work.
How Do You Find Which Listicles LLMs Actually Cite?
Not all listicles are created equal. The ones that matter are the ones LLMs actually cite.
Here’s how to find them:
- Open ChatGPT or Perplexity
- Run queries like “Top 5 [service] in [city]” or “Best [product] for [use case]”
- Look at which sources get cited repeatedly
Perplexity is especially useful here. It always shows its sources with clickable links. Run 10 to 20 prompts in your category and you’ll start seeing the same sites appear again and again. Those are your targets.
Common high-authority sources include Yelp (local services), Justia (legal), Houzz (home services), TripAdvisor (travel), and ThreeBestRated (various industries). A BrightLocal study found that ThreeBestRated accounted for 24% of directory citations in ChatGPT’s local business recommendations.
Why Are Listicle Placements So Cheap Right Now?
Right now, paid placements on high-authority listicles and directories cost between $100 and $200 as a one-time fee. Not per month. One time.
These sites still price placements based on direct traffic value. They haven’t adjusted for their new value as AI citation sources.
That will change. Once Google replaces traditional search results with AI mode (likely in 2026), these placements will become 10× more valuable. The sites will realize their value. Agencies will start recommending them. Demand will spike.
If you can secure a spot now for a few hundred dollars, you’ll have AI visibility that could cost thousands by next year. If you’ve ever considered paying for placement, now is the time.
How Does Being Listed Lead to AI Recommendations?
It’s not enough to be listed somewhere. LLMs evaluate brands based on how frequently and where they appear across the web.
According to Meltwater, AI models assemble their answers by considering factors like brand authority and how often a brand appears alongside specific topics or use cases. A brand mentioned repeatedly across relevant listicles signals credibility to the model.
An analysis of 8,000 AI citations confirmed this pattern. Brands with higher mention rates had higher visibility scores in AI responses. More mentions in trusted places equals more recommendations.
What Search Queries Trigger AI Recommendations?
Not all searches lead to listicle-style answers. The ones that do typically include purchase-intent modifiers.
Watch for queries containing:
- “Best” or “top”
- “Review” or “compare”
- “Alternatives to”
- “vs” comparisons
- “Affordable” or “budget”
When someone searches “best accounting software for startups” or “CRM vs ERP,” they’re looking for a curated list. AI models respond with exactly that. If your brand appears in the sources they pull from, you make the list. If not, you don’t exist.
How to Start Optimizing for AI Search Today
Traditional SEO still matters. It hasn’t been replaced yet. But it’s being supplemented by something new.
The businesses that move first will lock in cheap placements before prices adjust. They’ll build the citation network that AI models rely on. When the full shift happens, they’ll already be positioned.
Here’s the action plan:
- Run discovery queries in ChatGPT and Perplexity for your industry
- Log which directories and listicles appear in the citations
- Check which sites offer paid placements
- Secure spots on the most frequently cited pages
- Monitor your brand’s visibility in AI recommendations over time
Just make sure the websites you’re paying for are actually being cited by LLMs when people ask about your product or service. That’s the only thing that matters.
Ready to Get Ahead of This?
At TJ Digital, we help businesses identify the exact pages LLMs cite for their industry. Our mention building service handles the research and execution to get your brand included on the sites that matter.
If you’re spending thousands on SEO while ignoring these $100 to $200 placements, you’re missing the highest-leverage opportunity in digital marketing right now.
Contact TJ Digital to discuss your AI search strategy.