Do Backlinks Still Matter in AI Search?

Send us Fan Mail📬 You like this podcast? You’ll love the newsletter.Join the weekly 3-2-1 on AI search + marketing: subscribeAre backlinks still important in AI search—or do brand mentions matter more? The answer is that both influence AI visibility, but they matter in different ways depending on context, intent, and how trust is established across the web.In this episode of Found in AI, Cassie sits down with Nathaniel Miller, Head of Marketing at Ashbrook Technologies and founder of his own growth agency, to unpack how off-page signals are evolving as AI-driven search reshapes visibility.The conversation breaks down when backlinks still play a role, why brand mentions are increasingly influential in AI-generated answers, and how digital PR, social presence, and relationship-building now shape authority beyond traditional link-building tactics.In this episode, you’ll learn:How backlinks and brand mentions each influence AI search visibilityWhen backlinks still matter—and when mentions carry more weightHow digital PR and social presence shape off-page SEO in the AI eraWhat the decline of Reddit signals about community-based authorityHow to approach AEO and GEO without abandoning SEO fundamentalsTools and tactics for earning durable visibility, including Qwoted and intentional outreachIf you're listening to this and thinking I need someone to lead this for me, that's what I do.I'm an AI search visibility consultant and a fractional content strategist for startups and enterprise brands. If that sounds like the kind of help you're looking for, email me at [email protected]. Or request your 7-Day AI Search Visibility Audit: https://cassieclarkmarketing.com/ai-search-visibility-audit/Let’s connect:LinkedIn → Cassie Clark | AI Search Visibility ConsultantWebsite → https://cassieclarkmarketing.com