Ahrefs Highlights 25 AI Search Researchers to Follow

Ahrefs has published a list of 25 people it considers worth following for their original research on AI search. The article presents research as a way to answer questions about the field and keep track of changes affecting it.

The list is aimed at readers interested in answer engine optimisation and generative engine optimisation, often shortened to AEO and GEO. Rather than offering a single explanation of AI search, the article directs readers toward people publishing research on the subject.

The available summary does not name the researchers or explain how the list was compiled. Marketers who want to identify the individuals included, review their work or understand the selection process should consult the full Ahrefs article. The summary also does not describe individual studies or report specific findings.

For a marketing team, a list of researchers can serve as a starting point for building a reading routine. Teams can review the original work linked by the authors they choose to follow, record the questions each piece addresses and distinguish reported findings from the authors’ interpretations.

It can also be useful to compare research with the decisions a team needs to make. Before applying a finding, marketers can ask what was studied, how closely it relates to their own situation and whether the source explains its limitations. Keeping notes on those points can make it easier to revisit an idea without treating every publication as a recommendation for immediate action.

Following several researchers does not require giving each publication equal weight. A team might instead select work that is relevant to its current questions, read the underlying material and note any unanswered issues. The Ahrefs list offers a place to begin that process; the available summary does not provide enough detail to assess the work of the individuals on it.

What this means for marketers

Use the Ahrefs article to identify researchers whose work is relevant to your AI search questions. Read their original publications before changing a strategy, and document the evidence and its limits. Treat the list as a research resource, not as a substitute for evaluating individual findings.