Decoding the AI Index (+ JavaScript LLM Struggles)

AI gatekeepers have marketers shaking in their boots—and for good reason: you spend years creating helpful content only to see it vanish from top SERPs and go unnoticed by AI platforms.?

While the era of “easy” visibility might be over, it isn't the end for your content’s potential.?

It’s important to note that AI-driven search doesn’t diminish traditional SEO; it simply demands we rethink how content is structured for both types of search: training data and search data.?

To appear in traditional search engine results (like Google or Microsoft Bing) and AI search platforms (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, etc.), you need to understand how these algorithms complement (or compete with) each other for overall online discoverability.?

Why? Because market shares are creeping up fast. It’s crucial for relevance in the long term.?

In the first edition of our "Render & Rank" newsletter, we'll cover how AI models crawl, render (briefly) and interpret your website. We’ll also link relevant sources for further reading.

AI vs. Traditional Search Differences

?? Based on Traditional Search vs. AI-Powered Search Explained

Let’s quickly run through the difference between traditional search and AI-based search before we talk about indexing. So far, we’ve seen that traditional search relies on keyword-based algorithms, while LLMs and Google AIO prioritize semantics and intent.?

“AI can interpret the underlying purpose of a query, supplying more relevant outcomes.” For example, let’s say we’re talking about different types of diets. Contextual insights on complex queries, i.e., “the impact of mediterranean diets on cardiovascular disease.” This query will enable AI crawlers to amalgamate information from multiple sources, such as nutritional studies and extensive medical journals, to respond. Traditional search engines, on the other hand, only evolve through continuous user interaction.

Considering that AI crawlers synthesize insights and return well-formed answers (rather than a 10+ list of blue links), it means that brands need to change the way they structure content. Well-structured content stands a better chance of being crawled and referenced.?

Now it sounds easier said than done—just a few tweaks, right? But if you have a JS-based website, like 97% of websites out there, it’s a real headache. AI crawlers can’t effectively render JavaScript which means your chances of it getting indexed after crawling is 0.

Key Takeaways on AI Search vs. Traditional Search:

• AI models understand the nuances of language, including synonyms, context, and intent.
• AI models prioritize semantic meaning over simple keyword matches like traditional SEs.
• Content quality and relevance are more important than ever to appear on AI platforms.

How to Appear in AI Search Engines

?? Based on How to Get Indexed on AI Platforms

Now that we’ve clearly explained the difference between AI search and traditional search (and how the information is crawled), the next step is getting found. Unlike Google, for example, which relies on crawlers and sitemaps, AI models scan web content differently.?

If your content wasn’t properly indexed in the first place, it may never surface on AI.?

Here’s what you can do to improve your chances of indexation.?

• Optimize for Intent and Context: Many SEOs have been doing this for years—cross- engineering according to algorithm changes. But now every marketer needs to understand that AI models prioritize content that clearly answers user queries, so structure your content with natural language and clarity from the get-go.?

• Leverage Schema Markup: While schema, also known as structured data, has always been used to boost content relevance in SERPs (helping Google align content with queries more accurately), it does not change the way AI platforms index your content. Why? Because AI platforms don’t rank content. They simply pull content from already indexed content. So, keep optimizing content with structured data to improve traditional search performance, and as a result, the higher you rank, the more likely your brand will be featured in LLM mentions.?

• Ensure Content is AI-Friendly: As it is, AI crawlers are limited to the information they gather, and if, for example, your content is flooded with dynamic elements, it won’t be easy for them to crawl and index your content. In cases like these, where you rely a lot on JS to enhance your content, you’ll need a solution to turn that into raw HTML.?

In this article, you will find more detailed tips on how to get indexed.

Why JavaScript Can Block Your Site from AI Indexing (And How to Fix It)

?? Based on How to Optimize Your Website for AI Crawlers

In the previous section, we briefly mentioned that AI crawlers struggle to render JS pages (or dynamic elements). So, if important content on your website requires JavaScript execution to load, these crawlers may never see it—meaning your site could be left out of AI-generated answers. We won’t go into more detail on why, as our next edition will cover AI rendering in full—so stay tuned—but here are some ideas to start thinking about:

• Use Server-Side Rendering (SSR) or Prerendering: These rendering techniques deliver a fully rendered version of your content instead of waiting for JS execution. Peter Rota , SEO specialist, shared his thoughts and experience recently with us.?

• Reduce Client-Side Rendering Dependence: If your site heavily relies on JavaScript to load core content, consider modifying your setup so that important text and?

metadata appears in the initial HTML. This will make it easier to be crawled every time.?

• Use Simulators to Test Content: Tools like Prerender.io can be used to simulate how AI models view your site and diagnose indexing issues. This way, you detect it in advance. Here are some other tech SEO issues that might impact how you show up. (Thanks Patryk Wawok )

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By making these adjustments, you improve your chances of being surfaced in AI-generated responses. Regardless of the platform, it’s key to visibility in today’s evolving search landscape.

Remember to check out the full articles for a deeper dive into each topic!

• Traditional Search vs. AI-Powered Search Explained
• How to Optimize Your Website for AI Crawlers
• How to Get Indexed on AI Platforms

Any thoughts? Share them in the comments below!?

Thanks for making it to the end! See you next month ??

Cheers,

The Prerender Team.