I tried 5 AI mode SEO checking tools to find the best for 2026

Google's move to AI-powered search is more than just a new feature; it’s changing the entire SEO game. For years, the goal was simple: get to the #1 spot. But now, with answers appearing directly on the results page, old-school rank tracking is starting to feel a bit outdated.

This leaves a huge gap for marketers. If clicks aren't the main goal, how do you know if you're even visible? Most standard SEO tools can't distinguish between AI-generated results and classic blue links, so you're basically flying blind when it comes to your real performance.

That's the problem AI mode SEO checking tools are built to solve. They focus on what matters in this new world of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), like brand mentions and content citations within AI-generated answers. I’ve spent some time testing the most popular platforms to see which ones are actually worth it. We’ll also touch on how tools like the eesel AI blog writer can help you create content that AI engines want to feature.

What are AI mode SEO checking tools?

Simply put, AI mode SEO checking tools are platforms that watch your brand's visibility in AI-powered search results from places like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. They’re your eyes and ears for generative search.

They aren't your typical SEO tools. While Ahrefs or Moz are busy with keyword rankings and backlinks, these new tools track different things. They hunt for brand mentions, citations of your content (with or without links), and even the general feeling of how you're being presented in AI summaries.

The main benefit is getting a clear picture of how AI sees your brand and content. With these tools, you can spot where competitors are getting mentioned, find gaps in your own content, and discover new ways to show up in AI-generated answers. This whole process is what we now call Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

Our criteria for selecting the best AI mode SEO checking tools

I didn't just pull these tools out of a hat. I tested them and judged them on four main things to make sure they were actually useful:

• Performance Tracking: It had to do more than track links. I needed accurate tracking for brand mentions and content citations.

• Competitor Intelligence: The tool needed to let me see how I stack up against competitors and where they're beating me.

• Cross-Platform Coverage: I wanted tools that looked beyond just Google and covered other big names like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.

• Actionable Reporting: Dashboards had to give me clear insights I could act on, not just a confusing pile of data.

Comparison of the top AI mode SEO checking tools for 2026

Here’s a quick look at how the best tools stack up.

The best AI mode SEO checking tools in 2026: A detailed review

While many tools focus on tracking data, this list also includes a tool designed for acting on those insights. This allows you to not only monitor your AI search presence but also create content to improve it.

1. eesel AI blog writer

The eesel AI blog writer focuses on content creation rather than tracking. It’s an AEO-focused content generator that turns a single keyword into a full, publish-ready blog post designed to be cited by AI. It creates content assets to help improve visibility in AI-generated answers. We used this exact tool to grow our own organic impressions from 700 to 750,000 per day in just three months.

• Pros: Its primary focus is on content creation. It doesn't just give you text; it generates a complete content package with AI-generated images, infographics, tables, and even Reddit quotes and YouTube videos. This rich format is what AI models look for when creating answers. The content is optimized for ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, so you know it's well-researched. It's also free to try.

• Cons: This isn't a tracking tool. You'll still need one of the other platforms on this list to measure your visibility and find keywords to target. It's meant to work alongside your tracking efforts, not replace them.

• Pricing: Starts at $99 for 50 blog generations.

• Best For: Marketing teams, SEO pros, and anyone who wants to create content designed to improve AI visibility.

2. SE Ranking

SE Ranking has added AI visibility tracking to its established SEO platform. Its AI Search Toolkit keeps an eye on your brand's presence across Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. It gives you clear data on which keywords trigger brand mentions, how you're positioned, and how you stack up against competitors.

SE Ranking is probably the most well-rounded AI SEO checking tool I’ve used so far. It doesn’t just track if you’re mentioned in AI Overviews, but also breaks down how often, in what format (inline vs block), and what type of content Google is pulling. Super useful if you're trying to figure out how to optimize content for LLM visibility.

Reddit

• Pros: The platform combines traditional and AI SEO metrics in one place. You can manage keyword rankings, site audits, and AI visibility from a single dashboard. The AI Results Tracker even provides cached snapshots of AI answers, which is great for seeing the full context of your mentions. With daily updates and historical data, tracking trends is easy.

• Cons: The Pro plan includes 100 prompts for the AI Results Tracker, but if you're tracking a lot of keywords, you'll need to buy the AI Search add-on. This can increase the cost for teams who only need the AI features.

• Pricing: AI Mode tracking is included in the Pro Plan, which starts at $119/month, and the Business Plan, starting at $259/month.

• Best For: SEO professionals and agencies who want an all-in-one platform for both traditional SEO and AI visibility tracking.

3. Otterly.AI

Otterly.AI is a dedicated AI visibility tool built for what it calls Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). It automates the job of checking how your brand appears across Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot and AI Mode. The platform is built to be efficient.

• Pros: Otterly.AI is focused and easy to get started with. Its GEO audit tool reviews your on-page factors and gives you actionable tips to increase your chances of being cited by AI. The platform also includes sentiment analysis, so you know not just if you’re being mentioned, but how.

• Cons: It doesn't focus much on traditional SEO metrics, so you'll need other tools for backlink analysis or technical audits. Its main job is tracking brand and link presence in AI, which might be too narrow for some teams. The pricing isn't public.

• Pricing: Varies based on features and usage. You'll need to visit the Otterly.AI pricing page for current info.

• Best For: Marketers and content teams who need an automated tool for monitoring brand presence and citations in AI search.

4. seoClarity

seoClarity is an enterprise-level SEO platform offering on-demand AI Mode tracking through its Clarity ArcAI solution. It provides a large amount of data, including query discovery to find topics that trigger AI Mode and a traffic impact analysis that connects your AI mentions to actual changes in site traffic.

• Pros: For large companies, the depth of data is extensive. The ability to track thousands of queries and get a real-time feed of mentions is a significant feature. The platform is effective at linking AI visibility to business results like traffic and conversions.

• Cons: The price point is a major consideration, making it inaccessible for most small and medium-sized businesses. The platform is also complex and has a steep learning curve. It seems to focus primarily on Google's AI ecosystem.

• Pricing: The Enterprise plan, which includes its advanced features, starts at $4,500 per month.

• Best For: Large enterprise companies and global brands that need deep, scalable data to manage massive SEO operations.

5. SEOmonitor

SEOmonitor is an SEO platform built for agencies. Its AI tracking features are integrated into a unified, multi-client dashboard. This lets agencies monitor brand mentions and citations across Google, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for all their clients in one spot.

• Pros: The agency-first approach is its main differentiator. Features like multi-client dashboards and custom reporting templates are designed for agency workflows. Its transparent pricing can be budget-friendly for teams managing multiple accounts. It also offers a 14-day free trial.

• Cons: Weekly tracking for platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini requires a paid add-on, which adds to the monthly cost. The interface is powerful but can be complex for those not used to agency-level tools.

• Pricing: The Starter plan is €99/month for 1,000 keywords, while the Pro plan starts at €299/month. The AI Search tracking add-on is €19/month per 1,000 keywords.

• Best For: SEO agencies that need an efficient way to manage and report on AI visibility across their entire client list.

How to integrate AI mode SEO checking tools into your workflow

Getting a new tool is easy. Using it effectively is the hard part. Here’s how to work its insights into your strategy:

1. Think in queries, not just keywords: Use your tool to find the long, conversational questions that trigger AI answers. Group them into topic clusters and build your content strategy around answering them completely.

2. Benchmark your competitors: Regularly check which competitors are getting cited for your target topics. Don't just see who it is; dig into their content. Are they using more data, better visuals, or clearer writing? Figure out what makes their content "cite-worthy."

3. Turn insights into action: Use the data from your tracking tool to plan your content. When you find a competitor getting cited for a query you haven't covered, use a content generation tool like the eesel AI blog writer to create a comprehensive piece of content targeting that query.

4. Build better reports: Mix data from your AI tracking tool with metrics from Google Search Console. You can show how more AI mentions might lead to fewer clicks but more overall brand impressions. This changes the story from "we're losing traffic" to "we're gaining authority."

Visualizing how these tools work can also clarify their role in your strategy. The following video from Exposure Ninja provides a practical walkthrough on tracking your brand's presence in AI platforms, reinforcing the steps needed to turn data into a winning strategy.

This video from Exposure Ninja provides a practical walkthrough on tracking your brand's presence in AI platforms, reinforcing the steps needed to turn data into a winning strategy.

Turning AI search insights into action

The age of AI search is here, and having an AI mode SEO checking tool is no longer a "nice-to-have." These platforms give you the visibility you need to understand your performance and compete in this new environment.

But remember, insights without action are just numbers on a screen. Knowing where you stand is one thing, but the real goal is to improve your position and earn more of those valuable citations.

The quickest way to get cited by AI is to consistently publish comprehensive, well-structured, and media-rich content that directly answers user questions. If you're ready to turn your SEO insights into assets that AI will notice, try the eesel AI blog writer for free and generate your first AEO-optimized post in minutes.