What is the difference between Google search and LLM search?

What is the difference between Google search and LLM search? Google search usually returns a ranked set of links for you to evaluate, while LLM search synthesizes an answer from model knowledge, retrieved sources or both. The second experience can feel more direct, but it can also omit sources, compress nuance or state something incorrectly.

For a business, Google visibility is commonly measured through rankings, impressions and clicks. LLM visibility needs answer-level evidence: the exact prompt, engine, response, mention position and cited pages when available. The surfaces overlap because AI answers often use web content, but they behave differently enough to track separately.

An AI search optimization tool helps preserve that evidence without pretending generated answers are a predictable ranking system.