Only 11% of Domains Overlap Between ChatGPT and Perplexity. Your Single-Platform SEO Strategy Is Mathematically Doomed. Obviously.
Research from getmerank.com reveals that AI search engines evaluate individual passages rather than whole pages, meaning a concise answer can get cited even if it isn't on the top-ranking page. The overlap of cited domains between ChatGPT and Perplexity sits at roughly 11%. Optimizing for one engine does not translate to the others.
This demonstrates the principle of retrieval fragmentation. Each AI engine employs a distinct retrieval pipeline and citation habit, so visibility is now a portfolio problem rather than a single-leverage optimization. The mental model: stop chasing one algorithm and start engineering answers that work across multiple, divergent systems.
The research comes from getmerank.com, which analyzed citation overlap and ranking factors across AI search engines including ChatGPT and Perplexity.
- Search your target keyword in both ChatGPT and Perplexity. Note which domains each engine cites.
- Identify the passages those cited pages use to answer the query. Look for concise, self-contained answer blocks.
- Rewrite one section of your own content to match that passage structure. A direct answer in 40 to 60 words, no filler. Check if either engine picks it up within a week.