【About GMO AI Search Lab】（URL：https://ai-lab.koukoku.jp/）
GMO AI Search Lab is an internal research organization that continuously observes responses to Japanese-language queries across major AI search services, including ChatGPT Search, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, and AI Mode.
The Lab quantitatively analyzes which information sources AI systems cite, as well as how brands and companies are mentioned. The results of these analyses are publicly disclosed to contribute to the establishment of common industry metrics.
【Launch of the “Japan AI Search Cross-Platform Status Report”】
（URL：https://ai-lab.koukoku.jp/research）
This report continuously analyzes Japanese-language queries across 12 industries by submitting them daily to major AI search services and examining which information sources are more likely to be cited or mentioned by each service.The report also quantifies and visualizes metrics such as Japanese-domain adoption rates and brand mention trends. Through this effort, GMO AI Search Lab seeks to identify the factors and shared characteristics necessary for being selected by AI systems as information sources.
■Key Findings
・The number of sources presented in responses differs by as much as 2.2 times depending on the AI service.
・Citation source domains do not exhibit a single dominant leader. Instead, they form a two-tier structure consisting of a limited number of frequently cited domains and a vast long tail of other domains.
・Brand mention rates vary significantly by industry, indicating clear differences in the likelihood of brands being mentioned.
■Survey Overview
・Research Theme : The Current State of AI Search in Japan
・Survey Period : May 19, 2026 to June 24, 2026
・Conducted By : GMO AI Search Lab (GMO NIKKO, Inc.)
・Research Area : Japan
・Survey Subjects : 10,069 AI-generated responses from six model configurations, including ChatGPT Search, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, and control models with and without search functionality
・Valid Responses : 6,496 responses containing citations
・Methodology : Proprietary measurement conducted by GMO AI Search Lab
【Background Behind the Establishment of GMO AI Search Lab】
With the spread of generative AI, search behavior is shifting from conventional search engines to a method of checking answers generated by AI through services such as ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews.U.S. research firm Gartner predicts that the usage volume of traditional search engines will decline by 25% by 2026（※2）, and for companies, the importance of having their company and services correctly displayed and cited in responses generated by AI is increasing.
In practice, challenges that cannot be addressed through conventional SEO measures alone are becoming apparent, such as situations where a company's information does not appear in AI search responses or is not cited, and where information cited by AI differs from the facts.
Meanwhile, there is limited information that continuously analyzes and publishes findings on AI search in Japan itself based on Japanese-specific expressions and information structures, leaving practitioners with no choice but to rely on fragmented information from overseas.
Accordingly, GMO NIKKO, which provides the AI search optimization service "GMO AI Optimization Boost" (URL: https://koukoku.jp/service/aio), established GMO AI Search Lab in April 2025 and has since aggregated and accumulated insights gained in the field.
The Company has decided to make the analysis and research content that has been utilized internally available externally as information that companies can use for reference.
（※2）The Company has decided to make the analysis and research content that has been utilized internally available externally as information that companies can use for reference.
【About GMO AI Search Lab】
■Observation and Evaluation Framework
・Evaluation dataset covering 12 industries. A total of 150 questions are observed daily, including 45 fixed questions distributed equally across industries and 105 questions refreshed monthly.
・Cross-platform observation of major AI search services, including ChatGPT Search, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, and AI Mode, across six model configurations, including both search-enabled and search-disabled modes.
・Automated daily collection, analysis, and publication.
・Evaluation based on indicators including citation rate, mention rate, source diversity, accuracy, and Japanese-domain ratio, enabling continuous tracking of changes.
◾︎Published Observation Metrics
・Volume of citations by AI search service (average citations per response)
・Percentage of responses with no citations provided
・Trends in citation source domains (concentration and distribution)
・Trends in brand and company mentions (including industry differences)
・Comparisons across 12 industries
Future research topics will include Japanese-domain adoption rates, comparative analysis of response accuracy, recommendation tendencies during competitor comparisons, and the relationship between structured data and citations.
Observations are conducted by submitting 150 Japanese-language questions spanning 12 industries to six major AI search models every day. Of these, 45 questions remain fixed for one year, while 105 questions are replaced monthly. Aggregation conditions will be disclosed to enable third-party verification.
■Three Pillars of GMO AI Search Lab
（1）Continuous Publication of Primary Data
Rather than relying on fragmented information from overseas, the Lab publishes primary data generated through ongoing observation of AI search services in Japan, providing practitioners with information that can support decision-making.
（2）Accumulation of Practical Knowledge
The Lab examines factors that contribute to visibility in AI search environments and seeks to accumulate knowledge that can be applied to reproducible strategic initiatives.
（3）Contribution to Academic Research
The Lab verifies whether knowledge related to GEO（※3）accumulated overseas can also be applied within Japanese-language environments and contributes to the foundation of domestic research and discussion.
（※3）GEO:Generative Engine Optimization. Initiatives aimed at improving information visibility rankings and content accuracy when generative AI systems such as ChatGPT and Gemini are regarded as search engines.
【Future Outlook】
GMO AI Search Lab will continue observing and reporting on the realities of how easily corporate information is mentioned within AI search services in Japan and will publish the results through regular reports.The scope of industries covered by the research will also be expanded in the future.
Furthermore, the Lab plans to broaden its scope into research and proof-of-concept studies related to AIO in the emerging era of AI agents, including AI Agent Optimization (AIAO).Looking ahead, GMO NIKKO aims to contribute to the establishment of industry standards through initiatives such as educational materials summarizing practical GEO expertise and certification programs for AIO professionals.
【Integrated Operation of Research Outcomes and “GMO AI Optimization Boost”】
Research outcomes generated by GMO AI Search Lab will contribute to improving the quality of the GMO AI Optimization Boost service.By identifying effective measures through daily cross-platform observations, the company will incorporate findings into service offerings. At the same time, challenges identified through service delivery will be fed back into future research themes, creating a cycle of Research → Validation → Service Improvement.Through this cycle, GMO NIKKO will continue providing customers with AIO measures based on the latest empirical data.
【About GMO NIKKO】（URL：https://www.koukoku.jp/）
GMO NIKKO is an AI marketing support company that helps drive customer growth through the power of AI.Since its founding in 1992, the company has leveraged extensive expertise and know-how accumulated in the field of digital marketing to address customer challenges.Today, as a consolidated company of GMO Internet, Inc., which operates the Internet Infrastructure Business and Advertising & Media Business within the GMO Internet Group, GMO NIKKO provides proprietary services utilizing cutting-edge technologies, including AI.The company supports advertisers in strengthening branding and customer loyalty, while helping media companies maximize revenue.With the vision of becoming“No.1 in Number of AI Marketing Customers,” GMO NIKKO remains committed to being a trusted partner delivering advanced marketing support in the AI era.
