Searchable Raises $14M to Lead AI Search Optimization

London-based Searchable has successfully closed a $14 million Series A funding round, achieving a $85 million valuation. The capital infusion, led by global venture capital firm Headline, will fuel the company's product development and expansion into the US and UK markets. Searchable is at the forefront of helping brands adapt to the seismic shift in consumer discovery driven by artificial intelligence.

The company's platform is designed to address the critical challenge of maintaining brand visibility as AI assistants and large language models (LLMs) increasingly become the primary interface for search. With nearly half of Google searches now featuring AI-generated overviews and an anticipated 70% market penetration for AI-enabled search by 2027, businesses risk becoming invisible if they don't optimize for these new channels. Searchable aims to provide the tools for brands to understand, track, and enhance their presence within this evolving digital ecosystem.

Chris Donnelly, the founder of Searchable, emphasized the transformative nature of AI in search, stating, “Search is undergoing a once-in-a-generation reset. When an AI assistant recommends your brand, customers arrive with more intent, more trust, and a shorter path to purchase.” He highlighted that their data indicates customers converting at three times the rate when arriving from platforms like ChatGPT, underscoring the urgency for brands to establish a presence in AI-driven search results.

Searchable functions as a comprehensive growth command center, monitoring visibility across ten distinct AI engines. Its platform offers interactive insights, integrates with existing analytics tools like Google Analytics and Search Console, and translates complex data into actionable strategies for traffic growth. This approach is crucial in a market where an estimated 65% of searches currently conclude without a click, as AI directly provides answers rather than directing users to external websites.

Dominic R. Wilhelm, Partner at Headline, expressed strong conviction in Searchable's potential, drawing parallels to their early investment in Semrush. "AI-driven discovery is rewriting how customers find products, and the economics are moving fast," Wilhelm noted. "We see Searchable becoming part of the core infrastructure for this shift, not just reporting on what AI engines say about a brand, but directly improving the visibility and revenue outcomes that matter to management teams and boards." Headline's investment underscores the significant market opportunity in AI-powered search optimization.

The company has already demonstrated impressive traction since its January launch, achieving $2 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and projecting significant growth. Searchable serves a roster of prominent clients, including American Express, KPMG, Siemens, Tencent, Pfizer, Boston Consulting Group, DigitalOcean, VaynerMedia, and Havas. On average, enterprise clients report a 22% uplift in AI-driven traffic within their initial 60 days of platform use, showcasing the immediate impact of Searchable's solutions.

Looking ahead, Searchable anticipates three major industry shifts: the automation of SEO tasks by agentic systems, the emergence of AI commerce as a distinct optimization layer, and the unification of paid and organic AI visibility into cohesive attribution models. This forward-looking strategy positions Searchable to capitalize on the ongoing evolution of digital marketing in the age of AI.