AEO for small software companies: get named in AI answers
When someone asks ChatGPT or Google’s AI for the best software in your category, see whether you’re on the list, who’s named instead, and what to fix. Answer engine optimization for small and growing software companies, at published prices.
- Audits from $750
- “Best X”, “X vs Y” and “alternatives” prompts
- Files your team can ship
Published · Updated
How software buyers use AI to pick a tool
Software buyers increasingly start with a question instead of a search: “What’s the best CRM for a 10-person sales team?” The answer is a shortlist of three to six products with a reason for each. If you’re missing, or described with an old pricing model or the wrong category, that buyer may never reach your site. Our guide on getting recommended by ChatGPT explains how those lists are built.
Prompts we test for software companies
| Prompt type | Example |
|---|---|
| Best for | “Best [category] software for [team size / industry]” |
| Head-to-head | “[You] vs [competitor]: which is better for [use case]?” |
| Alternatives | “[Competitor] alternatives for [audience]” |
| Pricing | “How much does [category] software cost?” · “Cheapest [category] with [feature]” |
| Fit and integrations | “Does [you] integrate with [tool]?” · “Is [you] good for [use case]?” |
We draft 30 of these with you, tuned to your category and the deals you actually want.
Where AI gets its software answers
Vendor websites, software review platforms such as G2 and Capterra, comparison and “best tools” articles, Reddit threads and YouTube reviews all show up as cited sources in software answers. The mix differs by category and engine, so the audit lists the exact sources cited for your questions and what to fix or pitch on each.
Sample result: a software audit, anonymized
Our published sample report is a software example: a well-known sales CRM (not a client).
- Competitor A's own sitecited in 12 of 26
- Video platform (YouTube)cited in 9 of 26
- Sample brand's own sitecited in 8 of 26
- Discussion forum (Reddit)cited in 8 of 26
- Competitor B's own sitecited in 7 of 26
Sample data: our anonymized sample audit of a well-known sales CRM (not a client), November 2026, 26 answers across 5 engines. Results vary from run to run.
What we deliver for software companies
Comparison and alternatives pages
Drafts for “you vs competitor” and “competitor alternatives” pages, answer-first and fair.
SoftwareApplication schema
Validated JSON-LD for your product, pricing and organization pages, with install notes for your CMS.
Pricing and “best for” clarity
Copy that states plans, starting prices and who you’re for in plain sentences engines can quote.
Entity fact sheet
One consistent description and category for your site, review profiles, LinkedIn and directories.
Citation target list
The review sites, lists and threads engines cite for your prompts, with what to fix or pitch on each.
Monitoring
Weekly captures and a monthly “what changed” report, so you can see whether launches and fixes moved anything.
See example Implementation Pack files (for a fictional company).
Pricing
Billed by invoice after a quick phone call, payable by bank wire or ACH. Full services and pricing.
AEO for software companies: FAQs
Do review sites like G2 and Capterra matter for AI answers?
Often, yes: review platforms and comparison articles show up as cited sources for many software questions. Which ones matter in your category is something to measure, not assume; the audit lists the sources engines actually cite for your questions.
Should we publish “[competitor] alternatives” and “vs” pages?
Usually. Buyers ask those questions, and engines need a page that answers them. Keep them fair and specific; thin or misleading comparison pages rarely get cited and can hurt trust.
We’re product-led with a free plan. Is this still relevant?
Yes. Self-serve buyers often ask AI for the “best free” or “cheapest” option in a category. Clear pricing and plan facts help engines describe you accurately.
Can you guarantee we’ll appear in “best [category] software” answers?
No. We measure where you stand, fix what’s fixable and track the trend.
See if AI names you in your category.
Book a quick phone call to scope a $750 audit for your software product.