What is a search prompt?

A search prompt is the question or phrase you type into a generative AI search engine - like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, PerplexityAI, Gemini, or Microsoft Co-Pilot - to get an answer. 

Unlike traditional keyword-based search engines, these AI engines generate direct, conversational responses instead of just showing a list of links.

How search prompts work

When you enter a search prompt, a generative AI engine:

1. Understands your intent – It interprets the meaning of your question, not just the keywords.
   
   
2. Collects data from multiple sources – Including web pages, structured data, and sometimes live databases.
   
   
3. Generates a complete answer – Presenting information as if you’re having a conversation, often citing sources.

Why search prompts matter for Otterly.AI

OtterlyAI monitors how your brand and products are represented inside AI-generated answers across 6 major generative search engines:

• ChatGPT
  
  
• Google AI Overviews / AI Mode
  
  
• PerplexityAI
  
  
• Gemini
  
  
• Microsoft Co-Pilot
  
  

Because AI responses are shaped by the search prompt, tracking prompts is essential to:

• See where your brand appears (or is missing) in AI answers.
  
  
• Compare your visibility to competitors.
  
  
• Understand which prompts drive exposure and potential traffic.
  
  

With this data, you can take action to improve your Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategy.

Examples of search prompts

• “Best project management tools for startups”
  
  
• “How to rank a brand in Google AI Overviews”
  
  
• “Otterly.AI vs SEMrush vs Ahrefs”
  
  
• “Top AI content assistants for LinkedIn”
  
  

These are natural language questions rather than just keywords, reflecting how users interact with AI search.