# Ahrefs lists 25 AI search researchers to follow for 2026

Digest AI · Marketing & Small Business · published 2026-11-03T15:19:41Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/ahrefs-lists-25-ai-search-researchers-to-follow-for-2026

## Summary

Ahrefs compiled a list of 25 experts in AI-driven search optimization (AEO/GEO) based on original research published since 2023. The selection criteria included original data collection, focus on AI search behavior (e.g., how ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews cite sources), meaningful sample sizes (e.g., 50+ prompts or 100+ survey respondents), and published write-ups. Kevin Indig tops the list with 36 studies, including analyses of LLM citation patterns and AI Overviews’ impact on search behavior. Xibeijia Guan (Ahrefs) follows with 31 studies, notably finding that AI Overviews reduce clicks by **34.5%** and that **38% of AI citations** pull from Google’s top 10 results. Other researchers like Dan Petrovic (DEJAN) and Louise Linehan (Ahrefs) contributed studies on grounding snippets, brand visibility factors, and the ineffectiveness of `/llms.txt` files (97% never read). The list includes data scientists, SEO consultants, and researchers from companies like Ahrefs, SISTRIX, and Peec AI, with studies spanning citation stability, query fan-out, and AI traffic trends. Ahrefs analyzed **17,000+ pages** across these experts’ sites to compile the list, prioritizing original research over company reports without named authors.

## Key points

- Ahrefs ranked 25 experts by original AI search studies published since 2023, requiring original data and meaningful samples (e.g., 50+ prompts).
- Kevin Indig leads with 36 studies, including LLM citation patterns, while Xibeijia Guan’s work shows AI Overviews cut clicks by **34.5%**.
- Researchers like Dan Petrovic and Louise Linehan studied grounding snippets, brand visibility, and the ineffectiveness of `/llms.txt` files.

## Why it matters

This list highlights who’s shaping AI search research, offering marketers and SEO professionals actionable insights into how AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Overviews cite content, rank brands, and impact traffic. Key findings—such as citation drift or click reductions—directly influence SEO strategies for visibility in AI-driven search.

## Sources

1. [The 25 Best AEO/GEO Experts to Follow in 2026](https://ahrefs.com/blog/aeo-geo-experts) (Ahrefs Blog, 2026-11-03)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Ahrefs lists 25 AI search researchers to follow for 2026", 3 November 2026, https://digestai.news/story/ahrefs-lists-25-ai-search-researchers-to-follow-for-2026

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