Visualizing AI Search Behavior: N-3 Releases 'AIO Trace', a Free Tool to Track What ChatGPT and Gemini Look at to Answer
N-3 LLC has launched 'AIO Trace', a free tool that tracks and visualizes the websites AI search engines like ChatGPT and Gemini reference and cite when generating answers. It aids marketers in developing AIO strategies.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 18:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 04:41 (498h 26m after Collected)
N-3 LLC (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Kosuke Kurimoto) has released 'AIO Trace', a free tool that tracks and visualizes in real-time which websites AI search engines search, reference, and cite when responding to user questions.
AI search engines like ChatGPT and Gemini perform web searches based on user questions and generate answers based on the retrieved information.
However, what keywords the AI searches for, which websites' information it references, and ultimately which sources it cites are usually hidden from the user. AIO Trace is a tool that frees this AI 'search behavior' from the black box, allowing anyone to visualize it for free.
Published URL: https://n-3.ai/apps/aio-trace
## Features of AIO Trace
- Easy operation just by entering a question: No technical knowledge required. Just enter what you want to research, and it instantly traces the search behavior of major AI providers (ChatGPT, Google Gemini).
- Side-by-side comparison of AI search engine answers: Displays answers generated by ChatGPT and Google Gemini to the same question side by side. You can grasp the differences in answers and biases in information sources between AIs at a glance.
- Visualization of search keywords: Displays a list of search keywords used by each AI search engine during web searches. You can see how the AI interprets the user's question and what keywords it uses to look for information.
- Detailed analysis of cited/referenced URLs: Distinguishes and displays URLs directly cited in the AI's answer (Cited URLs) and URLs accessed during the search process (Hit URLs). A grouped list by site allows you to grasp which domains are referenced most by AI.
- Ranking display of frequently referenced sites: Aggregates trace results from all users and displays a ranking of websites most frequently referenced by AI. You can use it as a reference metric to grasp your position within the industry.
## Background: The 'Black Box' Problem of AI Search
With the spread of AI search engines, more and more companies are wondering, 'Is our site referenced by AI?' or 'To what extent are competitors cited by AI?'. However, the AI's search and citation process is hard to see from the outside, making it an area that traditional SEO tools could not analyze.
AIO Trace visualizes this 'unseen search behavior', making it possible to grasp the exposure status of one's own content on AI search engines and formulate data-driven AIO strategies.
## Anticipated Use Cases
Corporate Marketing
AI search engines like ChatGPT and Gemini perform web searches based on user questions and generate answers based on the retrieved information.
However, what keywords the AI searches for, which websites' information it references, and ultimately which sources it cites are usually hidden from the user. AIO Trace is a tool that frees this AI 'search behavior' from the black box, allowing anyone to visualize it for free.
Published URL: https://n-3.ai/apps/aio-trace
## Features of AIO Trace
- Easy operation just by entering a question: No technical knowledge required. Just enter what you want to research, and it instantly traces the search behavior of major AI providers (ChatGPT, Google Gemini).
- Side-by-side comparison of AI search engine answers: Displays answers generated by ChatGPT and Google Gemini to the same question side by side. You can grasp the differences in answers and biases in information sources between AIs at a glance.
- Visualization of search keywords: Displays a list of search keywords used by each AI search engine during web searches. You can see how the AI interprets the user's question and what keywords it uses to look for information.
- Detailed analysis of cited/referenced URLs: Distinguishes and displays URLs directly cited in the AI's answer (Cited URLs) and URLs accessed during the search process (Hit URLs). A grouped list by site allows you to grasp which domains are referenced most by AI.
- Ranking display of frequently referenced sites: Aggregates trace results from all users and displays a ranking of websites most frequently referenced by AI. You can use it as a reference metric to grasp your position within the industry.
## Background: The 'Black Box' Problem of AI Search
With the spread of AI search engines, more and more companies are wondering, 'Is our site referenced by AI?' or 'To what extent are competitors cited by AI?'. However, the AI's search and citation process is hard to see from the outside, making it an area that traditional SEO tools could not analyze.
AIO Trace visualizes this 'unseen search behavior', making it possible to grasp the exposure status of one's own content on AI search engines and formulate data-driven AIO strategies.
## Anticipated Use Cases
Corporate Marketing