GTM OpsDemand Gen Report

The Demand Gen Engine: Why Evaluation Is Being Curated by AI

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Why I picked this

Good data on a big long term trend with momentum

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In that moment, the shortlist is already forming—before a single traditional search result appears. Evaluation in 2025 is faster, algorithmically mediated, and far less forgiving than in the past.

Key takeaways

  • AI Overviews now appear in 13.14% of U.S. desktop searches (up from 6.49% in 3 months), with 88% tied to evaluation queries—vendors are losing control of initial shortlist formation to algorithms
  • Buyers trust user reviews (77%) and peer conversations (54%) far more than analyst reports (14%), but 72% encounter AI summaries and 90% click cited sources—proof must be consistent, verifiable, and structured for AI interpretation across all channels
  • Over 50% of enterprise B2B deals >$1M are now completed digitally without sales rep contact; opacity (hidden pricing, security details, ROI models) equals disqualification—transparency and self-serve evaluation environments are now table stakes
  • Answer Engine Optimization (AEO/GEO) is replacing SEO as the primary discovery mechanism; vendors must structure product facts, pricing, and proof points for AI models or risk algorithmic exclusion from generative results

Why this matters for operators: B2B SaaS companies, demand gen teams, and GTM leaders evaluating how to position in AI-curated search results; critical for mid-market and enterprise vendors

I cover AI×GTM intelligence like this every Wednesday.

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This analysis was produced using the STEEPWORKS system — the same agents, skills, and knowledge architecture available in the GrowthOS package.