Sitecore Deal Targets Brand Visibility in AI Search

Why It Matters

As AI chatbots replace conventional search, brands need tools to control how they appear in AI answers; Sitecore’s addition of Scrunch gives enterprises a competitive edge in the emerging AI‑search landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Sitecore adds Scrunch’s AI search visibility tools to its platform.
• AI‑driven search expected to cut traditional search volume by 25% by 2026.
• Akamai saw 364% brand presence lift using Scrunch’s Agent Experience Platform.
• Runpod reported 400% growth in paying customers after AI‑search optimization.
• Only 22% of U.S. marketers have fully integrated AI‑search SEO strategies.

Pulse Analysis

The rise of large‑language‑model (LLM) chatbots is reshaping how consumers discover information. Gartner predicts that traditional keyword‑based search traffic will decline by roughly 25 % by 2026 as platforms like Google and Microsoft shift toward conversational AI interfaces. This transition creates a blind spot for brands that have historically optimized for SERPs but not for AI‑generated answers. Sitecore’s acquisition of Scrunch directly addresses that gap, giving marketers tools to monitor and influence how their messaging appears in AI‑driven results.

Scrunch’s core offering, the Agent Experience Platform (AXP), reformats web content into structures that LLMs can readily ingest, effectively bridging the gap between legacy CMS assets and AI agents. Integrated into Sitecore’s AI‑powered Content Management, Content Marketing, and Digital Asset Management suites, AXP not only flags missing or mis‑represented brand signals but also auto‑generates remediation recommendations that feed directly into existing workflow pipelines. Early case studies illustrate the potency of the approach: Akamai recorded a 364 % lift in brand presence for non‑branded prompts, while Runpod saw a 400 % surge in paying customers after deploying the technology.

The broader market signals a rapid acceleration of AI‑search optimization as a competitive differentiator. A recent Semrush survey found only 22 % of U.S. marketers have fully integrated AI‑search and SEO strategies, leaving a sizable opportunity for early adopters to capture voice‑first and answer‑engine traffic. By embedding Scrunch’s insights into its platform, Sitecore positions itself as a one‑stop solution for enterprises seeking to future‑proof their digital presence. As AI agents become the default entry point for queries, brands that can programmatically shape their representation will likely command higher engagement and conversion rates.