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How Marketing Agencies Can Use AI Search Data in Pitches and QBRs
Marketing agencies can use AI Search data in pitches and QBRs by showing clients where they appear in AI generated answers, how often competitors outrank them, and what opportunities exist to improve Brand Visibility and Citation Rate across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Mistral and Gemini. The search landscape has shifted. Your clients are no longer just searching on Google. They are asking questions on ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini, and they expect their brand to appear inside those answers.
For agencies, this introduces a new responsibility. Traditional SEO rankings and organic traffic charts are no longer enough. Clients want to know how AI models describe them, whether they are recommended, and where they are losing ground to competitors.
This guide explains how agencies can turn AI Search visibility into a competitive advantage for pitches, QBRs and ongoing reporting.
Why AI Search Belongs in Every Agency QBR
For decades, agency QBRs revolved around ten blue links. That world is gone. Buyers, especially in B2B and high consideration categories, now rely on AI assistants for direct answers rather than search results.
If your agency is not reporting on AI visibility, you are leaving a major blind spot unaddressed.
The shift in client expectations
Clients are asking questions your SEO dashboard cannot answer:
- Why does ChatGPT recommend our competitor for “best [service] in [location]”?
- Are we visible in Perplexity’s answer engine?
- Why does Gemini describe our pricing as outdated?
- Why do we appear in Google AI Mode for some queries but not others?
This is the new battleground for retention and upsells. Agencies that measure the AI Visibility Gap position themselves as strategic partners rather than commodity vendors.
AI search is in explosive growth as a channel and Agencies that adapt early will stand out.
From SEO Dashboards to AI Search Storytelling
The transition from SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) requires a shift in storytelling. Traditional SEO reporting measures clicks. GEO reporting measures brand visibility. The difference is similar to measuring impressions versus being featured as the authoritative answer.
The “Before and After GEO” shift
Pre-GEO success:
Ranking number one for a keyword.
Post-GEO success:
Being the brand AI includes, mentions and cites when users ask questions.
This moves the agency value proposition from “we got you traffic” to “we made your brand the answer across AI systems.”
Comparison: Traditional SEO Reporting vs. AI Search Reporting
What AI Search Data Agencies Should Track
To report effectively on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), agencies need new KPIs. The goal is to answer three questions:
- Are we visible in AI answers?
- Do AI systems describe us correctly and positively?
- Are we beating competitors where it matters?
Alongside classic web analytics, agencies now need AI search trends and visibility data to understand how often clients appear in AI generated answers and how they are positioned.
Core GEO metrics for pitches and QBRs
Using AI Search Insights in New Business Pitches
Nothing closes deals faster than showing a prospect what AI says, or doesn’t say about them. The idea of their competitor completely outrunning them in this channel is usually a big motivator to start taking action and the best way to get started is by having a concrete data backed plan on what to do based on the current situation.
Turn AI visibility audits into pitch hooks
Replace generic SEO slides with a live or recorded AI Search audit.
Examples:
The reality check
“We asked Perplexity who the top providers of X are. Your competitor was mentioned first. You did not appear.”
The reputation risk
“Gemini is still describing your pricing model from 2022. This is hurting sales conversations.”
The opportunity
“We can recover this in ninety days by updating key pages, improving your Brand Visibility and increasing your Citation Rate.”
Example Pitch Deck Slide Structure:
- Slide 1: The Market View. "What AI says about your category." (Screenshot of a generic answer listing competitors).
- Slide 2: The Gap. "Where you are missing." (Highlight the competitor mentions vs. client absence).
- Slide 3: The Opportunity. "If we optimize for these 3 topics, we can influence 5,000+ monthly AI queries."
This is simple, impactful and differentiates your agency from every competitor still selling SEO the old way.
Using AI Search Data in QBRs and Ongoing Reporting
QBRs are where client value is proven. The advantage of GEO is that results often appear within days or weeks, not months.
When agencies show improvements in Brand Visibility, Citation Rate and AI Share of Voice, clients immediately understand the impact. These metrics correlate directly with being recommended more often inside AI answers.
This often increases client satisfaction and expands the relationship because every recommendation is backed by measurable data.
Before and after GEO impact slides
Visual proof is powerful. Show the client the literal change in the AI's answer over time.
Example QBR GEO Slide Metrics:
- Old AI answer
- Updated answer after optimization
- Improved Brand Visibility
- Better sentiment
- Higher Citation Rate
Clients understand this instantly.
Building GEO Ready Content and Campaigns from QBR Insights
Data without action does not move the needle. Use AI visibility findings to build the next quarter’s content roadmap. When you show improvements in Brand Visibility and Citation Rate, clients immediately understand the impact because these metrics correlate directly with being recommended more often in AI answers. This then usually leads to a deepened relationship with the client and more work your way.
Translating AI Search gaps into action
- Identify citation gaps where competitors win.
- Turn these gaps into structured content briefs.
- Start creating the content and publishing it.
- Measure the impact of the content and optimize further
Then re measure in the next QBR and show the daily/weekly/monthly improvement in brand visibility and citation rate. While platforms like Superlines give you daily progression data and keep you on the pulse, you can just show the progressive graphs to your clients from that quarter if you wish.
How Superlines Supports Agency Pitches and QBRs
Superlines is designed to power this agency workflow by automating tracking, auditing, benchmarking and opportunity discovery.
Does Superlines have an Agency Partnership Program?
Yes. Agencies can apply for a partnership to resell Superlines and strengthen their client offering. Partners receive access to discounted plans for clients and receive referrals for suitable incoming leads. This program supports agencies that want to add GEO and AI Search visibility as part of their service portfolio.
Next Steps for Agencies
Here is the simplest way to begin:
- Audit your top three clients to establish baseline AI visibility
- Add a slide on Generative Engine Optimization to your pitch and QBR templates
- Standardize Brand Visibility and Citation Rate as core AI search KPIs in your 2026 pitch decks and QBR templates.
- Bring proactive AI Search insights into the next client meeting about their current visibility
- Begin optimizing key entity pages and monitor the results
Agencies that adopt GEO today will own this category tomorrow.
Start Measuring Your Client's Brands Performance in AI Search
The future of AI Search belongs to brands that understand how AI systems interpret the web and how each content channel supports visibility. When you track your client’s Brand Visibility and Citation Rate, then optimize content around those insights, their brand will start appearing inside the answers that their target group actually reads.
Superlines helps agencies measure and improve GEO performance across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Mistral, Google AI Mode, Gemini and other AI engines, giving you a clear view of where your client appears today and where they can win next.
Start today with the most actionable and agency friendly platform!