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What is RAG?

TL;DR

Retrieval-Augmented Generation, how AI tools like Perplexity combine real-time web search with AI response generation. RAG allows AI to provide current, cited information rather than relying only on Training Data. For AI Optimization, this means your current website content directly influences AI responses, not just historical training.

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Frequently Asked Questions About RAG

What is RAG in simple terms?

RAG is how AI tools get current information. Instead of only knowing what they learned in training (which has a cutoff date), RAG lets AI search the web right now and include that information in answers. Perplexity does this for every query.

Why does RAG matter for my business?

With RAG, your current website content can appear in AI responses today, not years from now when AI is retrained. If you update your services or hours, RAG-enabled AI tools can find that new information immediately. Your web presence matters NOW.

Which AI tools use RAG?

Perplexity uses RAG for everything. ChatGPT with browsing mode uses RAG. Google's AI Overviews use a form of RAG. Microsoft Copilot uses RAG. Basically, any AI tool that cites current sources is using some form of RAG.

How do I optimize for RAG specifically?

Keep your website current, RAG finds today's content. Make content easy to parse: clear structure, direct answers. Be crawlable: no blocks that prevent AI from accessing your pages. Answer specific questions that people ask in conversational language.

Featured AIO Case Study

WCG CPAs & Advisors office building in Colorado Springs with Pikes Peak in the background
Professional ServicesConsulting Web DesignSEO

How a CPA Firm Captured 991 Top-3 Google Rankings and 175 AI Overview Citations

Strategic website redesign and content architecture helped an established Colorado Springs CPA firm dominate both traditional search and AI-powered results, with 991 keywords in the top 3 and 175 AI Overview citations.

Result
991 keywords in top 3, 175 AI Overview citations
991
Top 3 Keywords
2,063
Page 1 Rankings
175
AI Overview Citations
View Case Study

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