Manifesto

Don't Become Invisible

Written by David Hieatt•Brand
If you are invisible to AI, it can't recommend you.

Don't Become Invisible: A Manifesto

Most founders are trying to rank on Google.

Even Google says search is changing.

Soon, your customers will stop searching for you.

They will start asking AI.

If you are invisible to AI, it can't recommend you.

Don't Become Invisible: A Manifesto
“The Rules Have Changed. Visibility is the new advantage.”

1. Trust Matters

Before AI can recommend you, it must find you.

Before it can find you, it must trust you.

2. Own One Problem

Focus on a single problem.

And solve it in a way no one else does.

3. Become the Mayor of a Neighbourhood

Belong somewhere.

The internet must know where to place you.

Specialists get remembered.

Generalists get forgotten.

4. Mentions Matter More Than Links

The future belongs to brands people talk about when they are not in the room.

  • Podcasts.
  • YouTube.
  • Reviews.
  • Articles.

Every mention matters. Traditional media is not going anywhere.

5. Be Easy to Read

Humans tolerate confusion.

Machines do not.

Clarity is a competitive advantage.

6. Answer Fast

Lead with what you want to say.

Then tell the story.

7. Stay Fresh

They favour the new.

Keep your website alive.

Update your articles.

Freshness is evidence.

It tells the machine you are still here.

8. Let the Machines In

Is your website machine-friendly?

Can AI read it?

Can AI understand it?

You should check.

9. Google's Monopoly Is Over

The old internet had one gatekeeper.

The new internet has many.

  • ChatGPT.
  • Gemini.
  • Perplexity.
  • Claude.

Visibility now means being found everywhere.

10. Start Before Everyone Else

AI visibility compounds.

The companies cited today become the companies cited tomorrow.

Trust builds on trust.

Authority builds on authority.

Momentum builds on momentum.

Every citation makes the next citation more likely.

Ready for more?

On 17 July I'm running a one-day workshop in London called the New Rules Of Attention.

Written by
David Hieatt
Co-Founder of The DO Lectures and Hiut Denim | Do Radio Presenter of Three Wins & Do Radio Guest, Making Stuff Up with Emma Warren
David Hieatt has built brands from nothing with next to nothing, just by understanding a few basic rules of how to sell his story. One sentence at a time. Bankrupt at 16 and thrown out of college at 18. He joined Saatchi and Saatchi at 21. Had a ball. But after a decade or so, he left advertising to go back to Wales and build his own brands. He started howies in 1995. Sold it to Timberland. Left. Started The DO Lectures, which was voted one of ...

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