Do you know how often AI engines mention your brand compared to your competitor? In 2026, that's no longer a rhetorical question. It's a measurable KPI that directly impacts your organic reach and brand perception.
The shift from traditional search engines to generative AI answers fundamentally changes the rules of the game. ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews and Claude increasingly generate direct answers without the user needing to click through. Your position in those answers determines your AI visibility, and with it, your future market share.
This research presents the first AI visibility benchmarks for the Dutch market, broken down by industry. The goal: to give you a reference point against which you can compare your own GEO Readiness Score and make informed decisions.
The methodology behind this industry research
GrowthScope analyzed the AI visibility of over 200 Dutch domains across eight industries in the second quarter of 2026. For each domain, 25 industry-relevant queries were tested on four platforms: ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity and Claude.
The results are summarized in an average GEO Readiness Score per industry. This score ranges from 0 to 100 and measures three core factors:
- Citability: how often AI uses your content literally as a source.
- Platform coverage: on how many of the four AI platforms you are mentioned.
- Sentiment quality: the tone in which AI reports about your brand.
Average GEO scores per industry in the Netherlands
The differences between industries are striking. Industries with a lot of structured, informative content consistently score higher than sectors that traditionally rely on visual or transactional content.
| Industry | Average GEO Score | Best platform | Largest gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial services | 62 | Google AI Overviews | Claude |
| Legal and consulting | 58 | Perplexity | ChatGPT |
| SaaS and technology | 55 | ChatGPT | Google AI Overviews |
| Healthcare | 51 | Google AI Overviews | Perplexity |
| E-commerce (retail) | 39 | ChatGPT | Claude |
| Construction and engineering | 34 | Perplexity | ChatGPT |
| Hospitality and tourism | 31 | Google AI Overviews | Claude |
| Creative services | 27 | ChatGPT | Perplexity |
The financial sector scores highest with an average of 62. This is because this industry has been investing for years in knowledge content, structured data and technical SEO fundamentals that translate directly to AI readability. Creative services closes the rankings with a score of 27, mainly due to a lack of textual, citable content.
Three patterns every marketing manager must know
Pattern 1: content depth determines your score, not your budget
Industries with extensive knowledge bases, FAQ sections and longform content consistently score higher.
AI engines preferentially cite sources that provide a complete answer in structured, easy-to-read text.A large advertising budget doesn't compensate for this.
Pattern 2: platform differences require a differentiated approach
No brand scores equally across all four platforms. Google AI Overviews favors existing search authority. ChatGPT relies more heavily on recent, well-structured content. Perplexity values source attribution and citations. Claude shows a preference for nuanced, balanced information.
This means you can't rely on a single optimization strategy. A GEO audit that tests each platform separately is essential to understand where your opportunities lie.
Pattern 3: the gap between leaders and laggards is growing fast
Within each industry we see an increasing divide. The top 20% of the domains studied score an average of 2.4 times higher than the bottom.
AI visibility is a compounding effect: those who invest now are building a lead that becomes increasingly difficult to catch up.
How to compare your own score with the benchmark
The industry benchmarks provide context, but your specific position determines the strategy. That's where GrowthScope's In-Depth Scan comes in.
With the In-Depth Scan you receive:
- Your personal GEO Readiness Score based on 25 industry-relevant queries.
- A breakdown per platform so you see where you are and aren't mentioned.
- An executive summary with expected impact scores for your stakeholders.
- A developer-ready action plan with directly applicable recommendations.
The process is deliberately designed to be accessible. No account needed, no API keys, no technical setup. You enter your domain, and within 15 minutes you receive your complete report for €149 excluding 21% VAT.
What the data tells you about the rest of 2026
The Dutch market is at a turning point. Only 12% of the domains surveyed score above 60 on the GEO Readiness Score. This means that 88% of Dutch companies are insufficiently visible in AI-generated answers.
For marketing managers reporting to the board, this presents both a risk and an opportunity. The risk: your competitor invests now and claims the position you can no longer take later. The opportunity: the market is still young enough to build a dominant position with targeted action.
GEO is not a one-time action. It's a continuous process of trend tracking and optimization. That's why GrowthScope offers not only one-time audits but also quarterly reports where you can measure your progress against industry benchmarks.
Your next step: from benchmark to action plan
The numbers don't lie. AI visibility is shifting from nice-to-have to a strategic necessity. The question is not whether you should invest in Generative Engine Optimization, but how quickly you start.
Start your audit today. Compare your score with the industry benchmark and receive a concrete action plan that you can present directly to your stakeholders.
Start your GEO audit
Do you have questions about this research or would you like a custom analysis? Then contact our team.
