AI Measurement Framework: Intro


Use Data Or Be Used By Data!

The June 22 issue of Seotistics is here for you!

LLM/AI measurement is on the mouth of everyone... but is it actually possible?

I don't want to give you the secret to all problems because it doesn't exist.

In fact I will show you why most of this is not as easy as you imagine. This is just an intro for the next content.

P.S. I will also write a longform article on the topic, this is just the starter.

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πŸ“£πŸ“£ Important Announcements πŸ“£πŸ“£

My new course is out in case you missed it:

The course is split in 4 amazing modules:

βœ… GA4, GSC and other data sources: how to use them
βœ… LLM Workflows, BigQuery, SQL & Python
βœ… Dataform & Pipelines
βœ… Real Use Cases at work

Also GA4Dataform, one of my favorite tools, got an update for Premium users.

I will speak at Belgrade SEO in September:

Use the code "MARCO" to get 25% on the ticket at checkout, see you there!

Did I also mention that Freddie Chatt has an awesome newsletter about Ecommerce?

Oh and I will make a super cool announcement soon, can you guess the next destination?

What's Available Today

We still don't have reliable solutions to export data outside of the tools, which is like 99% of the usefulness.

I doubt we will get prompt lists because each prompt is unique BUT as Bing showed, it's easier to report on grounding queries.

A grounding query is what LLMs (Copilot here) uses to answer your prompts.

So it's not people searching on Bing but the machine running prompts.

Citations are a good indicator to see if your website is picked up by LLMs... which is also available in 3rd-party tools, like Waikay (more on them in the next issue).

The most interesting and underrated field to BWT is Citation Share because it's compared to your competitors.

This means that you can more or less gauge how prevalent you are.

GSC will also have a slice of LLM data in the form of impressions (who cares).

The Log Files πŸ‘€

If you are one of the few chosen ones to have decent data retention of your log files and access, then you can check bot activity.

Do LLMs actually check my pages? If yes, which?

This doesn't tell you much apart from helping you measure bots, though.

In this regard the next section is definitely more useful...

GA4 (Or Alternatives)

Given that your setup is half decent, you can assess your AI traffic.

Recently GA4 also introduced an AI Assistant default channel, which isn't of much help.

The real measurement issue here isn't consent mode or you not having server-side but AI not sending referrers.

This means a piece of your LLM traffic sits somewhere under Direct, the worst bucket.

For those who forgot, it's not actual direct traffic, rather a classification for unknown.

And another part may sit under Organic Search, if people see you and then google your brand name πŸ‘€

As always, this type of data should be read directionally to make decisions.

Today most websites get a small % of total AI traffic but it doesn't mean you should disregard it.

It's an additional way to bring people to your website and create more "risky" content.

For years we have seen the obsessions over keywords, volumes and CPCs.

That's BS and the best way to craft mediocre content to be pruned later.

I myself for Seotistics follow different rules and completely disregard volumes, since they are useless.

My best content comes from you folks and the understanding I have of the market.

The real issue with analyzing these scenarios is that most advice is outdated and focuses on 2016 SEO.

Shifting Your Mindset

The real issue isn't just about data but how marketing and SEO are perceived by many practitioners.

The clicks obsession is what got us here in the first place, after all.

Visibility and awareness are necessary to make sure people consider you!

For B2B in particular, this is super important.

People don't see your product for the first time and buy it immediately.

They are exposed multiple times to your brand, different touchpoints and maybe... they will buy.

No one says it'd even happen soon, it could also take years for some businesses.

The other shift to make is what I always encourage: don't report on SEO metrics like business success.

DO. NOT. REPORT. ON. SEO.

Your actual KPIs are inherent to the business model, meaning that you don't need to report on traffic.

OK... So What's Different?

If you ask me, it's always good content and omnichannel marketing, which has been ignored for decades.

A super recent Similarweb study outlines that LLM visibility does have some impact on brand.

So one of the main claims is that branded searches would increase and not just referrals.

This study deserves more space in the next issue, so read it yourself and then be prepared for next week.

In terms of measurement, the following setup is highly recommended:

  • Server-side implementation (Stape, Tracklution, whatever you choose)
  • BigQuery / whatever storage
  • Basic data modeling (aka your data can be used)
  • Proper consent mode implementation (for legal reasons)

Server-side isn't always needed, especially for small players BUT it's highly recommended.

If your business makes the most from online activities, it's unthinkable to have a bad Analytics setup in 2026.

Problems are never standalone, they are often interconnected to each other.

What You Should Like Today

This new "metagame" is much more rewarding than the boring traditional SEO where doing more was enough.

Now you have to calibrate your resources more wisely and play with the worst data we've ever had. πŸ’€

It's actually better both for content and your catalog as you can have more creativity with LLM visibility.

My content was even referenced in the most unusual places!

But time is short sooo just memorize what we said today and see you soon!

The next issue(s) will continue from here and go deeper on this topic.

πŸ‘₯ Join Our Community

Our Discord community offers a small place where we can talk business and web data.

If you hate all the noise of social media, then this place is for you.

I will start posting more there as we have a forum channel now.

This is the best way to stay updated in real time on Seotistics:

πŸ”Ž Analytics For SEO Ebook - Course / Ebook

You will:

βœ… Use GSC and GA4 Data to their fullest potential

βœ… Learn Python/SQL for your needs

βœ… Get a complete blueprint for auditing websites

βœ… Learn how to 10x your productivity

βœ… Learn BigQuery to work on large websites

I teach you what's needed to go from 0 to a professional Data Analyst.

Even if you leave SEO, the foundations are the same for other jobs!

Also in ebook:

Think Like A Web Analyst

This course teaches you to:

βœ… frame Analytics problems

βœ… understand which metrics matter

βœ… managing Web Analytics projects successfully

πŸ“š Recommended Reads - Peak Content πŸ—»

Read these peaks:

As usual, my most recent LinkedIn content is here.

❗️ Feedback and Recommendations

If you have ideas/recommendations for the next issues of Seotistics, you can simply reply to this email.

Marco Giordano
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Data/Web Analyst

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Seotistics - Web Analytics + Business + Strategy

The Seotistics newsletter is written by Marco Giordano, a Data/Web Analyst with the goal of combining business and web data. Tired of the usual boring Analytics content without any business impact? Seotistics teaches you how to use Analytics, web data and even content in your workflow while helping you with Strategy.

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