AI Search and Rental Businesses: What Does It Take to Get Recommended?

AI search provides users with direct answers instead of a list of links. For rental businesses, this means visibility is no longer only about ranking high in traditional search results. It is about being used as a source in the AI-generated answer itself.

The key question is therefore: What determines whether AI recommends your rental business?

This was the focus of our recent webinar, hosted by Michal Glinka, Digital Marketing Expert, and Sonya Nobel, Rental Expert and Sales Director at Sharefox. In the session, they explained how AI search works in practice, why many companies experience fewer clicks despite stable visibility, and which concrete actions increase the likelihood of being cited in AI-generated answers.

Watch the webinar here:

What Is the Difference Between Traditional SEO and AI Search?

Traditional SEO is about ranking in organic search results. AI search is about being used as a source in a generated summary.

When Google displays an AI Overview at the top of search results, information is pulled from a limited number of sources. Users often receive the answer directly without clicking further.

This has led to a shift where:

• Impressions may remain stable

• Clicks may decline

• Fewer websites are actually visited

As a result, visibility must be measured differently than before.

How Do AI Models Like ChatGPT and Gemini Work?

Large language models generate answers based on massive amounts of text from websites, blog posts, reviews, and publicly available information.

Their goal is to deliver the most precise and concise answer possible to the user’s question.

This means AI favors sources that:

• Are clearly structured

• Are comprehensive

• Are regularly updated

• Provide concrete and specific information

Pages that are fragmented or missing essential details are less likely to be used.

Why Are Clicks Declining Even If You Rank?

One of the changes discussed in the webinar is that many businesses experience stable impressions but significantly fewer clicks.

The reason is simple: users receive the answer directly in the AI summary.

When the information appears sufficient, there is no need to visit the website. For rental businesses, this means the goal is no longer just traffic, but to be one of the sources AI chooses to use.

What Can Rental Businesses Do to Get Recommended by AI?

The measures discussed in the webinar are practical and achievable. They focus on structure, accessibility, and content quality. Below are the key principles that influence whether AI chooses to recommend your rental business.

1. Make Your Website Accessible to AI Crawlers

A fundamental requirement is that your website can actually be read by language models and search engines. A properly configured robots.txt file is a simple but important step.

2. Build Complete and Comprehensive Pages

AI favors pages that gather all relevant information in one place.

A product page should not only include a short description and a booking button. It should also include:

• Pricing structure

• Rental terms and conditions

• Insurance information

• Delivery and return details

• Frequently asked questions

• Local information

When information is structured and consolidated, AI does not need to gather data from multiple sources.

3. Use Local Context and Real Expertise

AI highlights sources that appear credible, specific, and professionally grounded.

Superficial content carries less value for language models. Pages that are prioritized typically:

• Have clear structure

• Provide complete and in-depth information

• Include local context

• Reflect real industry knowledge

• Are consistently updated

It was also emphasized that Google increasingly removes irrelevant or outdated sources. Content that is not maintained can quickly lose visibility.

How Can Rental Businesses Use AI in Daily Operations?

The webinar did not focus solely on visibility. It also covered practical applications of AI in everyday rental operations.

Four key areas were highlighted:

Text and Content

AI can streamline the creation of product descriptions, FAQ sections, and website content. Tasks that previously took significant time can be completed faster, provided the output is reviewed and quality-checked.

Images and Visual Elements

AI can generate illustrations and campaign visuals. However, authentic product images remain essential for building trust.

Idea Development and Planning

AI can assist with campaign ideas, pricing strategies, upselling concepts, and structuring plans and workflows.

Customer Communication

AI can help create response templates, improve tone and language, and translate content. When combined with automated workflows, this reduces manual work and response times.

Why Does AI Work Best Together With Strong Systems?

AI can generate text and ideas. However, systems handle booking, payments, availability, communication, and data.

When content, structure, and operations are aligned, both efficiency and AI visibility improve.

How to Get Started With AI Optimization

Here is a simple starting plan:

• Review your robots.txt file

• Update key product pages with complete information

• Add clear FAQ sections

• Ensure content is current and locally relevant

• Use AI to improve content, but validate with your own expertise

Do not rely blindly on generated content. Combine AI tools with real industry knowledge.

Watch the Recording and Take the Next Step

If you work with growth, marketing, or operations in a rental business, this is a topic you should understand now.

Watch the full webinar here.

Would you like a concrete review of your rental process and how it can be optimized for AI visibility? Book a conversation with us.

FAQ

1. What does it mean to be recommended by AI search?

It means your business is used as a source or directly mentioned when AI tools such as ChatGPT or Google AI generate answers to users’ questions.

2. Is traditional SEO still important?

Yes. Strong SEO remains the foundation. However, you must also structure and update content so it can be used in AI-generated responses.

3. Do I need to be a technical expert to get started?

No. Many improvements involve better structure, clearer information, and easier accessibility for crawlers.

4. Can AI replace marketing?

No. AI is a tool. Strategy, industry expertise, and quality control must still come from people.