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Relixir Pilot Results: How a Telehealth Startup Boosted ChatGPT Mentions 240 % and Cut CPC 32 % in 28 Days

Sean Dorje

Published

September 2, 2025

3 min read

Relixir Pilot Results: How a Telehealth Startup Boosted ChatGPT Mentions 240% and Cut CPC 32% in 28 Days

Introduction

The AI search revolution is reshaping how healthcare companies reach their target audiences. With ChatGPT maintaining approximately 59.7% AI search market share and 3.8 billion monthly visits, telehealth startups can no longer ignore generative engine optimization (GEO) (Relixir). Over 50% of decision-makers are now prioritizing AI search engines for information gathering, making traditional SEO strategies insufficient for modern healthcare marketing (Relixir).

This case study examines how a Series B telehealth startup transformed their AI search visibility from invisible to industry-leading in just 28 days using Relixir's GEO platform. The results speak for themselves: a 240% increase in ChatGPT mentions, 32% reduction in cost-per-click, and breakthrough rankings across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini (Relixir).

Generative engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini will influence up to 70% of all queries by the end of 2025, making GEO a critical component of any healthcare marketing strategy (Relixir). This anonymized pilot data reveals the exact tactics, timelines, and metrics that enabled this telehealth company to dominate AI search results in under a month.

The Challenge: Invisible in AI Search Despite Strong Traditional SEO

The telehealth startup entered the pilot with a paradox familiar to many healthcare companies: strong Google rankings but complete invisibility in AI search engines. Despite ranking on page one for several competitive healthcare keywords, the company received zero mentions when potential patients asked ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini for telehealth recommendations.

This visibility gap represents a critical blind spot for healthcare marketers. AI search is forecasted to be the primary search tool for 90% of US citizens by 2027, yet most healthcare companies remain unprepared for this shift (Relixir). The telehealth startup's initial audit revealed several concerning patterns:

Zero AI search mentions across 500+ healthcare-related queries
High cost-per-click on traditional search ads due to increased competition
Declining organic traffic as AI overviews began appearing in 47% of Google search results (AI SEO Tracker)
Limited brand awareness among their target demographic, despite nearly 60% already using AI search engines for health research (Relixir)

The company needed a solution that could rapidly establish AI search presence without disrupting their existing marketing operations or requiring extensive technical resources.

The Relixir GEO Solution: A Three-Pillar Approach

Relixir's AI-powered Generative Engine Optimization platform addresses the fundamental challenge of AI search visibility through a comprehensive approach that combines analytics, competitive intelligence, and automated content generation (Relixir). The platform's three-pillar methodology proved particularly effective for the telehealth startup:

Pillar 1: AI Search Visibility Analytics

The first phase involved mapping the telehealth company's current AI search footprint using Relixir's simulation engine. The platform conducted over 10,000 buyer-query simulations across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini to establish baseline visibility metrics (Relixir).

Key findings from the initial analysis:

0% mention rate across primary service queries
Competitor dominance in 87% of relevant healthcare conversations
Content gaps in 15 critical topic areas where the company should have been mentioned

Pillar 2: Competitive Gap & Blind-Spot Detection

Relixir's competitive gap detection identified over 200 specific queries where the telehealth startup should have been mentioned but wasn't, providing a clear roadmap for content creation (Relixir). This analysis revealed that competitors were being recommended not due to superior services, but because their content better aligned with how AI engines process and cite information.

The platform's blind-spot detection uncovered several opportunities:

Underserved patient segments where competitors had limited coverage
Emerging healthcare topics with low AI search competition
Geographic markets where the company could establish early AI search dominance

Pillar 3: GEO Content Engine with Auto-Publishing

The platform doesn't just identify gaps—it automatically generates and publishes content to fill them, requiring no developer lift from the client's team (Relixir). For the telehealth startup, this meant:

Automated content creation targeting identified blind spots
Brand-consistent messaging aligned with existing marketing guidelines
Strategic publishing across owned media properties
Continuous optimization based on AI search performance data

The ability to achieve AI search dominance without technical overhead was a game-changer for the telehealth company's lean marketing team (Relixir).

Implementation Timeline: 28-Day Sprint to AI Search Dominance

Week	Focus Area	Key Activities	Metrics Tracked
Week 1	Baseline Assessment	10,000+ query simulations, competitive analysis, gap identification	Mention rate, competitor share, content gaps
Week 2	Content Strategy	Automated content generation, brand alignment, publishing queue setup	Content volume, topic coverage, brand consistency
Week 3	Deployment & Optimization	Auto-publishing activation, performance monitoring, real-time adjustments	Mention frequency, ranking positions, engagement
Week 4	Performance Analysis	Results measurement, ROI calculation, strategy refinement	CPC reduction, mention growth, authority scores

This accelerated timeline was possible because Relixir's platform handles the technical complexity of GEO implementation, allowing the telehealth company to focus on strategic oversight rather than execution details (Relixir).

Breakthrough Results: 240% Mention Increase and 32% CPC Reduction

AI Search Visibility Transformation

The telehealth startup's AI search presence underwent a dramatic transformation within the 28-day pilot period. The company moved from zero mentions to consistent top-three recommendations across all major AI search engines (Relixir).

ChatGPT Performance:

240% increase in mention frequency
Top-3 ranking achieved for 78% of target queries
#1 position secured for 34% of primary service searches

Cross-Platform Success:
The results extended beyond ChatGPT to include significant improvements across Perplexity and Gemini, demonstrating the platform's ability to optimize for multiple AI engines simultaneously (Relixir).

Cost Efficiency Improvements

The AI search visibility gains translated directly into improved advertising efficiency:

32% reduction in cost-per-click across paid search campaigns
18% increase in organic traffic as AI overviews began featuring the company
45% improvement in lead quality scores from AI-driven traffic

These cost savings were particularly significant given that the AI SEO market is projected to triple from $1.5 billion to $3.06 billion by 2033, indicating increasing competition and costs in traditional search channels (AI SEO Tracker).

Authority Score and Brand Recognition

Beyond immediate visibility metrics, the telehealth company experienced substantial improvements in brand authority indicators:

67% increase in branded search volume
23% improvement in domain authority scores
156% growth in social media mentions and engagement

These secondary benefits demonstrate how AI search optimization creates a compound effect across all digital marketing channels (Relixir).

The GEO Methodology: How 10,000 Buyer-Query Simulations Drive Results

Understanding AI Engine Behavior

Relixir's approach to GEO differs fundamentally from traditional SEO by focusing on how AI engines process and cite information rather than how search algorithms rank pages (First Page Sage). The platform's 10,000 buyer-query simulations revealed critical insights about AI search behavior:

Query Pattern Analysis:

Conversational queries dominate AI search ("What's the best telehealth service for anxiety?")
Context-dependent recommendations based on user-provided details
Multi-factor evaluation considering cost, quality, and accessibility

Citation Preferences:
AI engines show clear preferences for certain types of content and sources:

Authoritative medical content with proper citations and credentials
Patient testimonials and case studies that demonstrate real-world outcomes
Comparative information that helps users make informed decisions

Content Optimization for AI Engines

Unlike traditional SEO that optimizes for keywords, GEO focuses on optimizing for AI comprehension and citation worthiness (Medium). The telehealth startup's content strategy included:

Structured Information Architecture:

Clear service descriptions with specific benefits and use cases
Pricing transparency that AI engines can easily parse and compare
Credential highlighting to establish medical authority and trustworthiness

Patient-Centric Content:

Condition-specific guides addressing common telehealth questions
Treatment outcome data supporting evidence-based recommendations
Accessibility information helping AI engines match services to patient needs

Competitive Intelligence: Outmaneuvering Established Healthcare Brands

The telehealth startup's success wasn't just about improving their own visibility—it involved strategically outmaneuvering established healthcare brands that had dominated AI search results. Relixir's competitive intelligence capabilities provided crucial insights into competitor strategies and vulnerabilities (Relixir).

Competitor Analysis Findings

Market Leader Vulnerabilities:

Generic content that failed to address specific patient needs
Limited geographic coverage in content and service descriptions
Outdated information about services and pricing

Opportunity Identification:

Underserved specialties where the startup could establish thought leadership
Geographic markets with limited AI search competition
Patient demographics not adequately addressed by existing content

Strategic Positioning

The startup leveraged these insights to position themselves strategically in AI search results:

Niche Authority Building:

Specialized content for specific conditions and patient populations
Local market focus with region-specific health information
Technology emphasis highlighting their platform's unique capabilities

Content Differentiation:

Patient success stories with measurable outcomes
Provider credentials and specialization details
Service accessibility information for diverse patient needs

This strategic approach enabled the startup to compete effectively against much larger healthcare organizations with significantly more resources (Relixir).

Technical Implementation: Zero Developer Lift Required

One of the most significant advantages of Relixir's GEO platform is its ability to deliver results without requiring technical resources from the client's team. The telehealth startup's implementation required zero developer involvement, making it accessible even for companies with limited technical capabilities (Relixir).

Platform Integration

Seamless Setup Process:

One-click authentication with existing content management systems
Automated content discovery across all owned media properties
Brand guideline integration ensuring consistent messaging

Content Management:

Automated publishing to designated content channels
Brand compliance checking before content goes live
Performance monitoring with real-time optimization

Enterprise-Grade Guardrails

Despite the automation, the platform includes comprehensive approval workflows and quality controls:

Quality Assurance:

Medical accuracy verification for healthcare-specific content
Brand voice consistency across all generated materials
Compliance checking for healthcare regulations and guidelines

Approval Workflows:

Stakeholder review processes for sensitive content
Legal compliance verification for healthcare claims
Performance tracking with detailed analytics and reporting

These guardrails were particularly important for the telehealth startup, given the regulatory requirements and patient safety considerations inherent in healthcare marketing (Relixir).

ROI Analysis: Measuring Success Beyond Rankings

While the 240% increase in ChatGPT mentions and 32% CPC reduction represent impressive headline metrics, the true value of the telehealth startup's GEO investment extends far beyond these surface-level improvements.

Direct Revenue Impact

Lead Generation Improvements:

67% increase in qualified leads from AI search traffic
23% higher conversion rate for AI-sourced prospects
34% reduction in customer acquisition cost

Pipeline Quality Enhancement:

Higher intent signals from AI search users
Better demographic targeting through AI engine recommendations
Improved lead scoring based on AI search behavior patterns

Long-Term Strategic Benefits

Brand Authority Building:
The consistent AI search presence established the telehealth startup as a trusted authority in their space, leading to:

Increased media mentions and thought leadership opportunities
Partnership inquiries from other healthcare organizations
Investor interest driven by demonstrated market traction

Competitive Moat Creation:
Early adoption of GEO created sustainable competitive advantages:

First-mover advantage in AI search optimization
Content library development that continues generating value
AI engine relationship building through consistent, quality citations

These strategic benefits position the company for continued success as AI search adoption accelerates across their target market (Relixir).

Industry Implications: The Future of Healthcare Marketing

The telehealth startup's success represents more than an isolated case study—it signals a fundamental shift in how healthcare companies must approach digital marketing. As AI search engines continue gaining market share, traditional marketing strategies become increasingly insufficient.

Market Transformation Indicators

AI Search Adoption Trends:

DeepSeek AI has rapidly risen to second place with 277.9 million monthly visits, indicating growing competition among AI engines (Relixir)
84% of marketers believe in using AI for SEO, but confusion exists around implementation strategies (AI SEO Tracker)
Healthcare queries show particularly high AI search adoption rates due to the conversational nature of health-related questions

Competitive Landscape Evolution:
Healthcare companies that fail to adapt to AI search optimization risk being left behind as patient behavior shifts toward AI-powered research and decision-making.

Strategic Recommendations for Healthcare Organizations

Immediate Actions:

Audit current AI search visibility across primary service areas
Identify competitive gaps where AI engines recommend competitors
Develop GEO-optimized content that addresses patient questions directly

Long-Term Strategy:

Integrate GEO into overall digital marketing strategy
Build AI search monitoring into regular performance reviews
Invest in content infrastructure that supports ongoing AI optimization

The telehealth startup's results demonstrate that early adoption of GEO can create significant competitive advantages, but these benefits will diminish as more healthcare organizations recognize the importance of AI search optimization (Relixir).

Conclusion: The New Reality of Healthcare Digital Marketing

The telehealth startup's 28-day transformation from AI search invisibility to top-three recommendations across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini represents more than impressive metrics—it demonstrates the fundamental shift occurring in healthcare marketing. With a 240% increase in ChatGPT mentions and 32% reduction in cost-per-click, the results speak to both immediate ROI and long-term strategic positioning.

As AI search engines prepare to influence up to 70% of all queries by the end of 2025, healthcare organizations can no longer treat GEO as an experimental tactic (Relixir). The companies that establish AI search presence now will benefit from first-mover advantages, while those that delay risk being excluded from the primary channel their patients use for health information.

Relixir's platform proved that achieving AI search dominance doesn't require extensive technical resources or lengthy implementation timelines. The combination of 10,000+ buyer-query simulations, automated blind-spot detection, and zero-developer-lift publishing enabled rapid results that would have been impossible with traditional marketing approaches (Relixir).

For healthcare marketers evaluating their 2025 strategies, the question isn't whether to invest in GEO—it's whether they can afford not to. The telehealth startup's success provides a roadmap for transformation, but the window for early-adopter advantages continues to narrow as more organizations recognize the critical importance of AI search optimization in modern healthcare marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and how does it differ from traditional SEO?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a new marketing strategy that optimizes content to be recommended by AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking webpages in search results, GEO focuses on getting your brand mentioned and cited when AI generates responses to user queries.

How did the telehealth startup achieve a 240% increase in ChatGPT mentions using Relixir?

The telehealth startup used Relixir's Enterprise GEO Platform to map, monitor, and continuously optimize their AI search visibility. Through data-driven content optimization and strategic positioning for healthcare-related queries, they significantly increased their brand mentions across AI search engines in just 28 days.

What results can companies expect from Relixir's GEO platform based on case studies?

Based on Relixir's documented case studies, companies have achieved remarkable results including going from invisible to #1 AI answers in 30 days, outpacing competitors like Athena HQ in ChatGPT rankings, and achieving significant improvements in AI search visibility. The platform is trusted by over 50 fast-growing companies including FaceApp.

Why is AI search optimization becoming critical for healthcare and telehealth companies?

With ChatGPT maintaining 59.7% AI search market share and 3.8 billion monthly visits, over 50% of decision-makers now prioritize AI search engines for research. Healthcare companies can no longer ignore this shift, as AI overviews now appear in 47% of Google search results, potentially reducing organic traffic by 15-25%.

How does Relixir's platform help reduce cost-per-click (CPC) while increasing visibility?

Relixir's GEO platform optimizes content for AI search engines, which can reduce dependency on paid advertising while increasing organic visibility through AI mentions. By appearing in AI-generated responses, companies can capture high-intent traffic without competing in expensive paid search auctions, leading to lower overall customer acquisition costs.

What makes Relixir different from other AI SEO and content optimization platforms?

Relixir specializes specifically in Generative Engine Optimization with an Enterprise GEO Platform that provides comprehensive mapping, monitoring, and optimization for AI search visibility. Unlike general AI SEO tools, Relixir focuses exclusively on getting brands mentioned in AI chatbot responses and has proven results with fast-growing companies across various industries.

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