SEO, AI search and websites

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AI Overviews and LLMs can be steered within hours by a cheap press release, exact-match domains, YouTube/LinkedIn/Reddit content with the target phrase in title/H1/first sentence, as shown by the "King of AEO" experiment; treat AI answers with caution.

549k plays · 25 Sep 2026

What they said

AEO = Answer Engine Optimization, getting visibility from AI.
Experiment 1: friend James Dooley spent $6 on a press release with "King of AEO" in the title and the beginning of the first sentence. A few hours later, Google's AI Overview for "who is the king of AEO" said James Dooley and cited the press release.
Experiment 2: another friend published a second press release saying James was named King of AEO at a ceremony in Leigh, England, at Leigh Sports Village. No ceremony existed. A couple of hours later the AI Overview described a public crowning event at Leigh Sports Village as real.
Edward made a video about it; many viewers tried the same.
Vithers: press release "Vithers named King of AEO following 2026 industry vote"; AI Overview then called him a contender. He bought dozens of exact-match domains (kingofaeovithers.com, kingofaeo.org, kingofaeoisvithers.com...) with AI-generated sites carrying "King of AEO" and "Vithers" in page title, H1 and first sentence.
David Quaid: made an AI video of himself being crowned, titled "Who is the real King of AEO?"; then a LinkedIn Pulse article linking to the YouTube video (links to YouTube help rank), his press release and a blog post saying he is king. AI Overview then named David too.
Vithers kept publishing; ChatGPT then called Vithers king with James second.
Reddit: search site:reddit.com "king of AEO" shows many people posting the claim; Reddit heavily influences LLMs.
Edward published an article breaking down the tactics; AI Overview now cites his article and calls "King of AEO" a heavily contested viral digital marketing meme, still naming James Dooley first, David Quaid second, Julian Goldie as another contender. Output keeps changing as more join.
Conclusion: it is super easy to influence these systems; be careful what you read.
Plug: learn the exact tactics at freeseoknowledge.com (click the article).

Try this

Brands and marketers: Check what AI search says about your brand name and your key phrases. Look for wrong claims, and fix them with clear pages and credible mentions.
SEO beginners: Notice what moved the AI answers in the experiment: a press release, exact-match domains, YouTube, LinkedIn and Reddit posts, with the target phrase in the title, headline and first sentence. Apply the same phrase placement on your own pages.
Everyone: Be careful. The experiment worked on an invented phrase nobody searches. There is no proof it works for competitive commercial terms, and it may stop working.
Everyone: Do not plant fake events or false claims. That can break search engine spam policies, and in health or finance it can carry legal risk.
Regulated brands: Competitors could plant claims about your category. Watch for them and keep clear, sourced pages for the things buyers ask.
Creators: The structure is to run a stunt, show screen proof, publish the tactics in an article, and note when the AI starts citing you.

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