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About The Client

A leading middle-market investment bank that helps companies navigate important business moments, such as buying or selling a business, raising capital, or planning for long-term growth. The firm works with business owners, leadership teams, and investors to provide clear guidance and practical advice during complex transactions. Known for its thoughtful approach and strong client relationships, the team combines industry experience with hands-on support to help clients make confident decisions and achieve their goals.
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The Challenge

The client wanted to make sure they were being found where more buyers are starting their research—inside AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity. While their website performed well in traditional search, they recognized that prospects were increasingly asking AI tools direct questions instead of clicking through search results. Without a way to guide how their content appeared in these tools, the client risked being left out of early discovery and consideration.

The Solution

We implemented an llms.txt file on the client’s website to help AI-powered search and answer engines better understand and reference their content. This file works as a clear set of instructions for tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, making it easier for them to find, interpret, and surface the client’s information when prospects ask relevant questions. The result was improved visibility in AI-driven discovery without changing how the site functions for traditional search users.

 

The Results

When comparing performance after implementation to the same period prior, the client saw clear gains in traffic coming directly from ChatGPT and Perplexity:

    • Active users increased from 450 to 521 (+16%)
    • Total sessions increased from 648 to 782 (+21%)
    • Engaged sessions increased from 339 to 434 (+28%)
    • Pageviews increased from 1,180 to 1,817 (+54%)

Most importantly, the client generated seven qualified leads directly from ChatGPT and Perplexity referrals during this period—creating a new source of inbound opportunities that did not previously exist.

“We didn’t just see an uptick in web traffic—we gathered clear evidence that prospects were discovering us through ChatGPT and Perplexity and taking meaningful next steps,” said a member of the client’s leadership team.

The Impact

This project shows how investment in AI-driven discovery can create measurable business impact—not just increased traffic. By implementing a clear framework for how AI tools understand and surface website content, Strategic 7 Marketing helped the client establish visibility in emerging search environments where prospects are increasingly starting their research.

The result was a new inbound channel that generated qualified leads directly from ChatGPT and Perplexity—opportunities that previously did not exist and would likely have gone to competitors. This case demonstrates Strategic 7 Marketing’s ability to translate emerging technology shifts into practical, revenue-relevant outcomes for clients.

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