AI Optimization (AIO) Consulting
Hakuhodo DY ONE’s AIO consulting
helps build websites tailored for AI searches
AIO consulting from Hakuhodo DY ONE
AIO from Hakuhodo DY ONE is a diagnostic and consulting service that specializes in generative AI. We research how corporate brand names and service names end up appearing or being referenced in generative AI answers, targeting the major AI search engines as well as traditional search engines. Based on our findings, we diagnose the current state of your website and propose optimal improvement plans.
- * Hakuhodo DY ONE refers to GEO, LLMO, AEO, and similar services under the umbrella term AIO. We began providing our AIO diagnostic service on March 5, 2025.
Why is AIO needed now?
The rise of generative AI is bringing huge changes to the search experience. With the emergence of conversational AI, AI search engines, and AI answers in search results, traditional SEO strategies alone are no longer sufficient to achieve adequate results.
The rise of AI search engines and AI search functions
Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, AI-powered search engines have entered the market one after another. Google has also been phasing in AI search functions like AI Overviews and AI Mode, suggesting AI’s impact on search will only grow.
Changes in search behavior brought on by AI search and the impact on SEO
Previously, users would search by keywords and visit multiple websites that appeared in the search results to gather information and compare and evaluate the information. With the recent proliferation of AI search engines and the expansion of summaries and answers displayed directly within search results, there are concerns about the increase in zero-click searches (cases where users find the answer they are looking for within the search results without needing to access any websites) and the decline in organic search traffic and click-through rates (CTR). Consequently, unless your content appears in AI-generated answers, it will be more difficult to make sei-katsu-sha aware of your brand, services, or products. To adapt to this changing environment, it is essential to build websites that incorporate optimization for generative AI (AIO) alongside traditional search engine optimization (SEO).
Hakuhodo DY ONE’s AIO capabilities
In an era where AI searches are the norm, new perspectives and specialized approaches are indispensable to make your website a selected entity. Hakuhodo DY ONE has built a robust framework based on years of accumulated expertise in search. This includes R&D capturing the latest AI trends, strong partnerships with industry-leading companies, and comprehensive assistance for clients, from website construction to ongoing operation. With these capabilities, we back clients advancing their web strategies for the AI era.
SEO and AIO trend research and information dissemination by our R&D department
Hakuhodo DY ONE has set up a search experience optimization (SXO) R&D department focused on SXO. The department conducts R&D aimed at achieving search behavior by users and business outcomes by companies. It continuously studies and analyzes the latest domestic and international trends, accumulating knowledge and insights. In addition, we were one of the first to start researching AI search as far back as 2023 and quickly launched AIO services, establishing a flexible framework to adapt to changing times. Furthermore, the Next-Generation Search Lab piONEer, our AI search research project, explores advertising potential in AI search and search AI services, as well as their impact on existing search-linked advertising. Through these endeavors, we are committed to creating search experiences suited for the AI search era.
Strengthening research capabilities through collaborations with AI search engine developers and research firms
We continually work alongside Felo Inc., a domestic AI search engine developer, and AI Hack Inc., a specialized AI search engine research firm, to study industry-specific trends and the characteristics of specific AI search engines. Furthermore, we are accumulating deeper insights about AI search by enhancing our algorithm analysis capabilities related to search result generation logic. This enables us to provide clients with high-quality and highly effective AIO consulting services.
References: Hakuhodo DY ONE news releases
Hakuhodo DY ONE, Hakuhodo, and AI Hack launch a proof-of-concept experiment for brand information optimization in AI searches (June 25, 2025)
AIO support system that works alongside clients all the way to website construction
Thanks to our collaboration with Hakuhodo I-STUDIO, we can provide end-to-end support that goes beyond AIO consulting to encompass website construction and implementation. We assist clients’ AI strategies and promote the optimization of their information deliveries for the AI era by combining both companies’ expertise and track record. We provide integrated support that spans analyzing the status of owned media on AI search engines to formulating strategies based on the analytic results and building AI-friendly websites and improving operations.
- Note: We began providing AI-friendly owned media construction solution services on June 17, 2025.
The AI optimization (AIO) consulting process
Hakuhodo DY ONE’s AIO consulting proceeds in two phases: an initial phase focusing on analysis and issue identification, followed by an operational phase delivering improvement proposals and implementation support.
1. Study the correlation between SEO and the generative AI display status on AI Overviews
We study which keywords trigger AI Overviews, what content and details are being referenced, the citation status of your company and your competitors, and the correlation with search rankings. Previous studies have confirmed a strong correlation between cited content and organic search rankings. After analyzing the results, we identify issues for both AIO and SEO and prioritize which items most urgently need strategies.
2. Study the display and citation status of brand / service names on AI search engines
We study the display and citation status of your company’s and your competitors’ brand and service names on the leading AI search engines. We examine not only how often names appear but also the positive or negative sentiments of the mentions and the presence of non-fact-based generations (hallucinations). We also look into the citation status from sites other than official websites and the status of links to e-commerce sites. If addressing issues with your official website is problematic, we identify issues and develop measures that expand efforts to include AI-friendly media and e-commerce vendors.
3. AIO improvement measure proposals, implementation support, and monitoring
Based on the studies above, we propose concrete improvement plans to make your sites and content more readily cited by AI. We analyze your website content and structure and your SEO strategies from multiple angles and present optimal improvement plans to drive higher rankings in AI search engines.
We also support the following strategies for display in AI Overviews.
- SEO strategies designed about creating multiple entries into the search market
- Aggregating People Also Ask (PAA)*1 results for target keywords in consideration of the entire funnel to bolster SEO
- Register business profile with Google, make use of the merchant center, and implement structured data
We execute these strategies in an integrated fashion to enhance website competitiveness for the AI era from both AIO and SEO perspectives and to support client business outcomes. When implementation support is required, we work with Hakuhodo I-STUDIO, part of the Hakuhodo DY Group, to ensure reliable website implementation. And after implementation, we continue to monitor the display status and ranking trends in AI searches and provide reports and improvement proposals in support of producing sustainable results.
- *1. People Also Ask (PAA): A function that displays questions other people ask alongside Google’s search results.
Services related to AIO consulting
SEO consulting
Hakuhodo DY ONE research has confirmed a strong correlation between AIO and SEO. Therefore, implementing SEO measures indirectly contributes to AIO efforts. With our SEO consulting background, we can propose more effective SEO strategies designed for synergistic results with AIO.
Learn more about our SEO consulting servicesHakuhodo DY ONE provides optimal AIO strategies grounded on our extensive expertise and proven results accumulated since the dawn of SEO. If you’re wondering how to boost your website’s traffic acquisition amid the emergence of AI search engines and generative AI, please feel free to consult with us.
