Popular Tools for SERP Analysis (and How to Adapt Them for AI)

For over a decade, SERP (Search Engine Results Page) analysis was simple. You used a tool to check where your URL ranked on a list of 10 blue links. If you were #1, you were winning.

In 2025, the SERP is fractured. Between Google's AI Overviews, Perplexity's answer engine, and SearchGPT, "ranking" is no longer enough. You need to be "cited."

Here is how to use popular SERP analysis tools to survive this shift.

1. Semrush: The AI Overview Filter

Semrush has adapted quickly. They recently added AI Overview tracking to their toolkit. This allows you to filter keyword lists to see which queries trigger an AI summary.

The Strategy: Don't just look at rank. Filter your high-volume keywords for "AI Overview" presence. If an AI summary exists, your #1 organic link might be pushed below the fold. You need to rewrite your content to be the source of that summary.

2. BrightEdge: The Enterprise Parser

BrightEdge offers a "Generative Parser" designed for enterprise-scale monitoring. It decodes the complex structure of AI-infused SERPs to tell you if your brand is appearing in the generative snapshot. It is powerful, but often overkill for lean startups.

3. Ahrefs: The Backlink King

Ahrefs remains the best tool for understanding authority. While they have been slower to roll out specific generative features compared to Semrush, their backlink data is critical for GEO. Ahrefs studies suggest that high-authority citations are a primary signal for LLMs when choosing sources.

How to Adapt SERP Signals to GEO

The tools above are great for discovery, but they don't help you optimize. To turn a SERP analysis into a GEO strategy, follow these steps:

• Identify AI Queries: Use Semrush to find keywords where AI Overviews are active.
• Analyze the Answer: Read the AI summary. Is it a list? A definition? A comparison?
• Format Match: If the AI provides a list, format your content as a list. If it provides a definition, ensure you have a clear `<h2>What is X?</h2>` block.
• Inject Data: Add structured data (JSON-LD) to make your content machine-readable.

By treating your website like an API for these engines, you move from just analyzing the SERP to dominating it.