2,400+ New Customers from AI Discovery
How a UAE grooming brand pivoted from SEO to AEO and got ahead of the game in the AI search revolution
The Background
Gentz is a premium men's grooming and wellness brand based in the UAE, offering products specifically formulated for the Middle Eastern climate and lifestyle. In a region where temperatures regularly exceed 40°C, generic international grooming products often fall short. Gentz was built to solve that problem.
The brand had built its success on strong SEO and Google search visibility. For years, this strategy delivered consistent growth, with organic traffic driving the majority of their customer acquisition. They had mastered traditional search optimization.
But Gentz recognised early that the landscape was shifting. As AI assistants began answering product recommendation queries, their SEO investment was becoming less effective. Rather than wait for the inevitable decline, they decided to pivot and get ahead of the curve.
Quick Facts
- Premium grooming products formulated for Middle Eastern climate
- Science-backed approach addressing region-specific skin concerns
- Successful track record in European market before UAE expansion
The Challenge
When expats and locals in the UAE started asking AI assistants for grooming recommendations ('best face wash for hot weather,' 'men's skincare for Dubai climate,' 'grooming products for oily skin in humidity'), Gentz was nowhere to be found. Instead, AI was recommending international brands that weren't formulated for the region.
The irony was painful: Gentz had exactly the products these customers needed, but AI systems didn't know they existed. Meanwhile, competitors with inferior products for the climate were capturing demand simply because they had stronger digital presence.
Customer acquisition costs were climbing. Without brand recognition, every sale required convincing customers to try an unfamiliar brand over the household names they saw AI recommending. Even satisfied customers often discovered Gentz by accident rather than intention.
Key Pain Points
- Invisible in AI responses for region-specific grooming queries
- International competitors recommended despite inferior climate suitability
- High customer acquisition costs due to lack of brand recognition
- Regional expertise not recognised by global AI systems
- Product-market fit story not reaching potential customers
Our Approach
We developed an AEO strategy that positioned Gentz as the regional expert in men's grooming, the obvious choice when AI users in the UAE ask for recommendations.
Technical Audit & Fix
We established Gentz as the definitive source for men's grooming in hot climates, creating content that AI systems would naturally reference for region-specific queries.
- Developed comprehensive guides on skincare for Gulf climates
- Created content addressing UAE-specific concerns: sandstorm skin protection, AC-related dryness, sun damage
- Built location-specific landing pages optimised for 'Dubai,' 'UAE,' and 'Middle East' queries
- Published ingredient science content explaining why climate-specific formulation matters
Schema Markup Implementation
We implemented the technical foundation that helps AI systems accurately recommend Gentz products.
- Deployed comprehensive Product schema with reviews and ratings
- Implemented LocalBusiness schema for UAE presence
- Structured product descriptions for AI comprehension
- Built FAQ schema addressing common purchase questions
Content Generation & Distribution
AI systems recommend products they understand. We made Gentz products the most clearly explained options in the market.
- Created detailed product pages with comprehensive FAQ sections
- Developed comparison content showing Gentz vs international brands for hot climates
- Built 'best for' content targeting specific use cases and concerns
- Secured features in UAE lifestyle and men's publications
The Results
Gentz's early pivot to AEO paid off massively. By getting ahead of the curve, they captured the AI search opportunity before competitors even recognised it existed.
AI Visibility Wins
- Now recommended for 'best men's skincare Dubai' and similar queries
- Appears in Perplexity responses for UAE grooming questions
- Featured in ChatGPT recommendations for hot climate skincare
- Regional expertise acknowledged in AI-generated content
Customer Acquisition Impact
- 2,400+ new customers acquired through AI recommendations
- Average order value 23% higher from AI-discovered customers
- Customer lifetime value increased by 67%
- Referral rate doubled among AI-acquired customers
Business Growth
- Customer acquisition cost reduced by 35%
- Marketing spend efficiency improved 3x
- Brand search volume grew 340% in UAE
- Social proof strengthened as satisfied customers shared experiences
“We built products specifically for this region, but nobody knew we existed. Now when someone asks AI what skincare works best in Dubai's heat, we're the answer. And these customers don't just buy once, they become loyal because they found exactly what they needed.”
Key Takeaways
Regional expertise can outperform global brand recognition in AI recommendations
Customers acquired through AI recommendations show higher loyalty and lifetime value
Location-specific content is crucial for appearing in geo-targeted AI queries
Product education helps AI systems make accurate recommendations
Trust signals from local sources strengthen regional AI visibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this case study and the results achieved.
How did Gentz acquire 2,400+ new customers through AEO?
Gentz partnered with Cited Agency to pivot from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization. By recognising early that AI assistants were becoming the new search, they got ahead of competitors. Through region-specific content, comprehensive product schema, and authoritative content distribution, they became the AI-recommended grooming brand for the UAE market, acquiring over 2,400 new customers directly through AI discovery.
Why did Gentz pivot from SEO to AEO?
Gentz had mastered traditional SEO, but recognised the landscape was shifting. As AI assistants began answering product queries, their SEO investment was becoming less effective. Rather than wait for decline, they pivoted early to AEO and got ahead of the game while competitors were still focused on traditional search.
Can AEO work for e-commerce brands competing against global giants?
Yes, and Gentz proves it. Despite competing against international brands with massive budgets, their early AEO investment and regional expertise helped them dominate AI recommendations for UAE grooming queries. AI systems prioritise relevance over brand size, allowing specialists who move early to win.
What's the impact of AEO on customer acquisition costs?
Gentz reduced customer acquisition costs by 35% through AEO. When AI recommends your brand, you don't need to spend as much convincing customers to try you because the recommendation comes with built-in trust. Early movers in AEO see the biggest gains before the competition catches up.
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