How ThatWare Uplifted Dhanani PEG’s SERP Visibility Using AI-Powered Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)

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In this highly competitive world, search engines are no longer just about ranking pages—they are about delivering precise answers to user queries. With the rise of AI-driven search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, businesses are no longer competing merely for clicks; they are competing to own the answers that drive engagement, trust, and conversions. This shift has given birth to a new discipline in digital marketing: Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses primarily on page rankings and backlinks, AEO is about structuring content, optimizing entities, and aligning with AI algorithms to ensure that a business becomes the authoritative source for relevant queries.

ThatWare is at the forefront of this transformation. As a next-generation AI-powered SEO and digital intelligence agency, ThatWare leverages its proprietary suite of 927+ AI algorithms to help businesses navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of AI search. Their approach combines advanced semantic engineering, natural language processing (NLP), knowledge graph alignment, and real-time AI monitoring to deliver unparalleled visibility in AI-driven search engines. By focusing on intent satisfaction and zero-click SERP dominance, ThatWare ensures that their clients not only reach their target audience but also become the most trusted sources of answers for critical queries.

One of their recent success stories involves Dhanani PEG, a company specializing in real estate investment, development, and private equity solutions. Initially, Dhanani PEG faced low organic traffic, limited keyword visibility, and minimal presence in AI-powered SERPs. Traditional SEO methods, while helpful for basic traffic generation, were insufficient for capturing the complex queries made through AI search platforms. The company needed a solution that could target high-intent informational searches, answer AI queries effectively, and drive qualified traffic from multiple AI sources.

This case study demonstrates how ThatWare implemented an AI-powered AEO strategy to transform Dhanani PEG’s digital presence. By leveraging advanced algorithms, semantic content structuring, and continuous AI monitoring, ThatWare was able to increase traffic, improve keyword visibility, and position Dhanani PEG as an authoritative answer source across multiple AI search engines.

Thesis Statement: This blog will show that modern search success is not just about traditional rankings—it is about owning answers in AI-driven search environments, and ThatWare’s approach exemplifies how businesses can achieve this at scale.

Understanding the Challenge 

Dhanani PEG operates in the real estate investment and private equity sector, offering investment solutions, property development services, and strategic financial guidance for high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. Their business relies heavily on building trust and demonstrating expertise, which means that online visibility and discoverability are critical components of their growth strategy. Potential clients often conduct informational searches about real estate investment opportunities, market trends, and private equity options. Therefore, capturing high-intent search traffic is essential for generating qualified leads and facilitating meaningful business growth.

However, Dhanani PEG initially faced several challenges in its digital landscape. Their website attracted limited traffic, and their keyword visibility was low, making it difficult for potential clients to discover their offerings. Traditional SEO methods—focusing on content optimization, backlinks, and basic on-page SEO—provided incremental improvements but failed to capture the complex queries generated by AI-powered search engines. Moreover, the emergence of AI assistants meant that users could now bypass traditional search results entirely, obtaining answers directly from platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. As a result, Dhanani PEG risked losing visibility in critical AI-driven touchpoints, limiting their potential to acquire qualified traffic.

The specific challenge for this project was clear: Dhanani PEG needed to increase organic traffic exclusively through AI-powered sources, without relying on conventional SEO alone. This required a deep understanding of AI engine behavior, semantic search patterns, and user intent, along with a strategy capable of aligning Dhanani PEG’s content with AI query structures.

Conventional SEO was insufficient because it focuses primarily on page rankings, backlink volume, and keyword density—metrics that are increasingly less relevant in the age of AI. While traditional SEO might improve visibility for human searchers, AI engines prioritize content authority, semantic alignment, and answer quality. Without a tailored approach, Dhanani PEG’s content risked being overlooked by AI algorithms, even if it ranked reasonably well on standard Google SERPs.

This is where Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) became a strategic solution. By focusing on intent-driven content, entity optimization, structured answers, and AI-compliant formats, ThatWare could position Dhanani PEG as the authoritative answer source for high-value queries. This approach allowed Dhanani PEG to capture traffic from multiple AI platforms, engage their audience with accurate information, and drive qualified leads that were previously inaccessible through conventional search methods.

What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) represents the next frontier in digital marketing, focusing on making your content the authoritative answer for queries processed by AI engines. Unlike traditional SEO, which primarily aims to rank web pages based on keywords, AEO emphasizes intent satisfaction, structured responses, and AI-friendly content delivery. The goal is to ensure that AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity recognize your content as the most relevant and trustworthy source for a user’s query.

Difference Between SEO and AEO

While SEO optimizes content for search engine algorithms and backlinks, AEO goes deeper:

• Intent Satisfaction: AEO ensures that content directly answers user questions, rather than simply ranking for keywords.
  
• Semantic Structure: Content is organized around entities and topics rather than isolated keywords.
  
• Knowledge Graph Alignment: Information is structured to be machine-readable and authoritative, often connecting to existing knowledge panels and recognized data sources.
  
• Zero-Click Dominance: AEO aims for users to get answers directly in AI-powered SERPs, minimizing the need to click through to external pages.
  

Key Components of AEO

1. AI-Friendly Content Creation: Content is written with natural language processing in mind, using clear structure, concise answers, and entity-rich language.
   
2. Entity-Based Optimization: Focuses on entities (people, companies, locations, concepts) rather than just keywords, ensuring relevance and authority.
   
3. Semantic Clustering: Groups related concepts and queries together to improve AI comprehension and response quality.
   
4. Knowledge Panel and Snippet Targeting: Optimizes for AI visibility in structured results like snippets, summaries, and knowledge panels.
   
5. Zero-Click SERP Capture: Ensures that AI engines provide the content directly to users, enhancing brand authority and visibility without requiring click-throughs.
   

Why AEO is Critical for Real Estate & Private Equity

For Dhanani PEG’s sector, searches are often informational and decision-driven. Potential investors seek:

• Market trends
  
• Investment advice
  
• Regulatory guidance
  
• Risk and ROI insights
  

Traditional SEO cannot fully capture these complex, multi-faceted queries, whereas AEO ensures that content directly answers investor questions, aligns with AI-driven search behavior, and positions Dhanani PEG as a trusted source.

By implementing AEO, Dhanani PEG could reach users across multiple AI platforms, capture high-value traffic, and establish digital authority in a highly competitive, knowledge-intensive market.

ThatWare’s AEO Strategy for Dhanani PEG 

To address Dhanani PEG’s challenges, ThatWare implemented a six-step AEO strategy, blending technical expertise, AI-driven insights, and semantic content engineering.

Step 1: Competitor & SERP Analysis

The first step involved analyzing competitors and AI SERPs. ThatWare mapped the existing landscape to identify gaps in content, entity coverage, and question-answer patterns. Insights were derived from AI engine behavior, highlighting which queries were under-served and where Dhanani PEG could establish authority. By understanding user intent and query trends, ThatWare designed a roadmap for content that would outperform competitors in AI-driven search results.

Step 2: Semantic Keyword Mapping

Next, ThatWare implemented semantic keyword mapping, connecting high-intent queries with entity relationships. AI algorithms prioritized keywords based on search volume, competition, and relevance to investor decision-making. This ensured that Dhanani PEG’s content would not just rank but align with the way AI engines process and deliver answers.

Step 3: Content Structuring for AI Readability

Content was restructured for AI consumption. This included:

• FAQ sections
  
• NLP-enhanced paragraphs
  
• Structured data and schema markup
  
• Clear headings and entity references
  

Content was optimized for ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, ensuring that AI engines could extract answers efficiently. The goal was to position Dhanani PEG as the most authoritative source for each query.

Step 4: Optimization of Knowledge Graph & Citations

Authority signals were strengthened through knowledge graph optimization and citations, connecting content to verifiable sources. This improved credibility for AI engines and ensured that Dhanani PEG’s information was trusted, accurate, and authoritative.

Step 5: Continuous AI Monitoring & Iteration

Using ThatWare’s 927+ proprietary AI algorithms, performance was monitored in real time. Any fluctuations in AI engine results triggered data-driven optimizations, keeping content relevant and authoritative as search patterns evolved.

Step 6: Integration with Existing SEO & Marketing

Finally, the AEO strategy was integrated with Dhanani PEG’s existing content and marketing strategy. Traditional SEO elements, link-building efforts, and website optimization were complemented by AI-driven insights, ensuring holistic digital growth.

AI Engine Performance Results 

ThatWare’s AEO implementation yielded measurable growth across multiple AI platforms.

ChatGPT Performance Metrics

• Total Users: +8.2%
  
• New Users: +8.5%
  

This growth reflects increased discoverability and engagement within AI-driven queries.

Gemini Performance Metrics

• Total Users: +2.98%
  
• New Users: +2.81%
  

These improvements demonstrate ThatWare’s multi-platform AEO impact, ensuring Dhanani PEG was visible across AI search ecosystems.

Perplexity Performance Metrics

• Total Sessions: +2.19%
  

Even smaller gains indicate enhanced user engagement and brand visibility, highlighting ThatWare’s ability to optimize for diverse AI platforms.

Visual Representation

For readers, charts and graphs can show before vs. after metrics, highlighting total and new users for each AI engine. These visuals clearly demonstrate the direct impact of ThatWare’s AEO strategies.

Insights from Data

The data reveals that:

• AEO led to consistent growth across AI search engines
  
• High-intent queries drove qualified, targeted traffic
  
• Semantic content and entity optimization were critical drivers
  
• AI monitoring allowed rapid adaptation to algorithm changes
  

Comparison with Baseline Metrics

Before AEO implementation, Dhanani PEG had minimal presence on AI platforms. Post-AEO, they experienced 8–9% growth on ChatGPT, smaller yet significant gains on Gemini and Perplexity, and overall improved keyword visibility. These results underscore AEO’s effectiveness in driving AI-first search success.

Keyword Visibility & SERP Impact 

A key measure of success for any AEO strategy is keyword visibility and performance in the AI-driven SERPs. For Dhanani PEG, ThatWare’s AI-powered Answer Engine Optimization had a profound effect on both keyword reach and search engine result placement, transforming the company’s visibility across multiple AI platforms.

SERP Keyword Growth

Leveraging ThatWare’s proprietary 927+ AI algorithms, the team carefully mapped high-intent queries, long-tail searches, and entity-based keywords for Dhanani PEG. The results, tracked via SEMrush AI Overview Keywords, highlighted clear gains:

• AI Overview Keywords: Increased from 21 → 29
  
• Traffic: Improved from 23 → 26
  
• Traffic Cost: Rose slightly from 176 → 180
  

These metrics indicate that Dhanani PEG’s content was now being recognized and surfaced by AI engines for a broader set of queries. Each additional keyword represents a potential client query captured, demonstrating the strategic advantage of AEO in expanding digital footprint beyond traditional SEO metrics.

How AEO Affected SERP Positions

ThatWare’s approach didn’t just increase the number of keywords—it strategically improved SERP placement for targeted searches.

1. Targeted Long-Tail and Informational Queries:
   Dhanani PEG’s content now ranked highly for complex, informational searches that were previously under-optimized. These included queries such as “real estate investment strategies 2026” or “private equity opportunities India,” which are highly relevant to investor decision-making.
   
2. Answer Snippet Capture and Featured Results:
   Through structured content, semantic clustering, and FAQ optimizations, ThatWare enabled Dhanani PEG to capture answer boxes, snippets, and featured summaries on AI platforms. These placements not only boosted visibility but also increased perceived authority in the real estate and private equity domain.
   
3. Zero-Click SERP Dominance:
   One of the hallmarks of AEO is reducing the need for users to click through by delivering direct answers in AI-driven SERPs. Dhanani PEG became a preferred answer source, meaning that AI engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity began displaying their content as primary responses for relevant queries. This enhanced brand trust, authority, and recognition.
   

The strategic targeting of queries, coupled with AI-compliant structuring, ensured that Dhanani PEG was visible at multiple touchpoints in the AI search ecosystem, which is a game-changer in industries that rely on expert information, such as real estate and private equity.

Business Impact & ROI 

Beyond visibility, ThatWare’s AEO strategy produced tangible business outcomes for Dhanani PEG. By optimizing for AI engines, the company experienced measurable growth in traffic, leads, revenue potential, and long-term authority.

Traffic Acquisition

The AI-first optimization strategy drove sustained increases in organic and AI-sourced traffic. On platforms like ChatGPT, total users increased by 8.2%, while new users grew by 8.5%. Gemini contributed a 2.98% rise in total users and 2.81% in new users, while Perplexity sessions improved by 2.19%.

This growth demonstrates that AI engines are becoming critical traffic channels, and AEO can unlock qualified audiences that were previously inaccessible through conventional search channels..

Lead Generation

The improved visibility and AI-driven content also directly contributed to lead acquisition. By targeting high-intent questions and structuring content to satisfy AI-driven queries, ThatWare ensured that Dhanani PEG attracted investors who were actively seeking solutions. This increased the quality of leads, not just quantity, making marketing and sales efforts more efficient.

Revenue Potential

With enhanced traffic and lead quality, the potential for revenue growth increased significantly. While AI engines do not directly convert users, the ability to be the first authoritative answer ensures that Dhanani PEG is positioned to capture investors’ attention earlier in their decision-making journey, which shortens sales cycles and improves conversion efficiency. The traffic cost increase from 176 → 180 also demonstrates that the value of acquired traffic increased, reflecting more impactful engagement per visitor.

Retention & Long-Term Value

Continuous AEO monitoring and iteration mean that Dhanani PEG is now well-positioned for long-term authority. ThatWare’s AI algorithms ensure that content remains relevant, responsive, and optimized for new AI updates, protecting the company from algorithmic shifts and allowing sustained visibility. In the age of AI-first search, this ongoing optimization is critical for market leadership.

Key Learnings & Takeaways 

The Dhanani PEG case study provides valuable insights for any business looking to thrive in AI-driven search environments.

Insights for Businesses

1. AEO is Essential in AI-First Search: As AI platforms become primary points of search, optimizing for answers rather than just rankings is the future of digital marketing.
   
2. High-Intent Queries Drive Value: Targeting the questions that investors and clients are asking ensures that traffic is highly qualified and conversion-ready.
   
3. AI Engines Require Unique Strategies: Each AI engine interprets content differently. Multi-platform optimization ensures visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and other AI sources.
   

Strategic Takeaways

1. Invest in AI-Ready Content: Structured, semantically rich content is essential to satisfy AI algorithms.
   
2. Monitor Multiple AI Engines: Focusing solely on Google is insufficient. Businesses must track emerging AI platforms and optimize content accordingly.
   
3. Align Content with Entity Authority & Semantic Clusters: Content should emphasize authoritative entities and relationships, enhancing recognition and trust.
   
4. Continuous Iteration Using Proprietary AI Algorithms: Regular monitoring and optimization ensure that content remains aligned with evolving AI patterns and queries.
   

Scalability of AEO

While this case study focused on real estate and private equity, the methodology is scalable across industries:

• Finance & Investment: Capture investor-focused queries
  
• Healthcare: Answer medical and patient-related questions accurately
  
• Cryptocurrency & Forex: Provide authoritative insights for complex financial searches
  
• Travel & Real Estate: Deliver location-specific, high-value information
  

AEO is not industry-specific—any business that relies on informational, high-intent search traffic can leverage AI-driven optimization to dominate search results and capture qualified audiences.

Conclusion 

The success of Dhanani PEG demonstrates that AI-powered Answer Engine Optimization is more than a trend—it is a strategic necessity for businesses operating in knowledge-driven industries. Initially challenged by low traffic, minimal keyword visibility, and limited presence on AI-powered SERPs, Dhanani PEG turned to ThatWare to implement a comprehensive, AI-first optimization strategy.

Through semantic keyword mapping, AI-friendly content structuring, knowledge graph optimization, and real-time monitoring using 927+ proprietary AI algorithms, ThatWare successfully increased visibility across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. Key metrics illustrate the impact:

• ChatGPT: +8.2% total users, +8.5% new users
  
• Gemini: +2.98% total users, +2.81% new users
  
• Perplexity: +2.19% total sessions
  
• AI Overview Keywords: 21 → 29, with increased traffic and value
  

These results underscore the power of AEO to deliver measurable business outcomes, from enhanced traffic and higher-quality leads to potential revenue growth and long-term market authority.