CGO Media Research Team
The people behind CGO Media’s research into AI Search, Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), SEO, digital authority, citation systems, recommendation systems and the changing architecture of online discovery.
CGO Media operates a growing research programme examining how search engines, generative AI systems and digital discovery platforms identify, evaluate, select, cite and recommend information, organisations and providers.
Our work combines conceptual research, structured observation, framework development and original analysis to investigate how visibility, authority, evidence and trust are evolving as search moves beyond traditional ranked results.
Research Direction & Programme Leadership
CGO Media’s research programme is directed by Roger Wilkinson, with responsibility for research strategy, methodology, investigation, framework development and the publication of research examining the changing search and AI discovery environment.
Roger Wilkinson
Roger Wilkinson leads CGO Media’s research into AI Search, Generative Engine Optimisation, SEO, digital authority and the systems through which search engines and generative AI platforms discover, evaluate, select, cite and recommend information.
His research focuses particularly on the transition from traditional search rankings towards AI-mediated discovery environments, where entity understanding, evidence, independent authority, citations, trust signals and information architecture can influence how organisations and information sources are represented.
He is responsible for the development of CGO Media’s research programme, including its working papers, sector research, conceptual frameworks, provider-selection models, search-authority maturity models, implementation roadmaps and research observations.
The programme is designed to investigate emerging search behaviour systematically while distinguishing between established evidence, structured observations, conceptual models and hypotheses that require further empirical validation.
Research Responsibilities
Defining research themes, questions, models and areas of investigation.
Developing structured approaches for research, observation and analysis.
Examining search systems, AI discovery processes and digital authority signals.
Developing conceptual frameworks, maturity models and implementation methodologies.
Original drafting of research papers, frameworks and research observations.
Reviewing publications for consistency, clarity, evidence and methodological transparency.
A Contribution-Led Research Model
CGO Media research is organised around contribution rather than job title alone. Research responsibilities vary between publications, and individual contributors are associated with the work they have actually performed.
The research programme brings together research direction, investigation, analysis, framework development, writing, editorial review and visual communication. Depending on the nature of a publication, one person may perform several of these functions or responsibilities may be distributed across multiple contributors.
This approach allows CGO Media to distinguish clearly between authorship, research contribution, editorial involvement and supporting production. Where appropriate, individual publications identify the people responsible for the principal elements of the research.
Conceptualisation
Defining the research problem, central questions, conceptual structure and scope of an investigation.
Investigation
Examining search behaviour, AI discovery systems, information environments, authority signals and supporting evidence.
Methodology
Designing the methods used to structure observations, collect evidence, evaluate findings and distinguish different forms of research output.
Data & Analysis
Collecting, structuring and analysing original datasets where empirical data forms part of a CGO Media research project.
Framework Development
Translating research findings and structured observations into conceptual frameworks, models, maturity systems and implementation methodologies.
Writing
Producing original research manuscripts, working papers, sector studies, research observations and supporting explanatory material.
Review & Editing
Reviewing research for clarity, internal consistency, appropriate evidence, methodological transparency and publication quality.
Visualisation
Developing research figures, diagrams and visual models that communicate frameworks, relationships, processes and findings.
What We Research
CGO Media research examines how search, generative AI and digital discovery systems are changing the ways information, organisations, products and professional providers are discovered, evaluated, cited and recommended.
AI Search & Generative Discovery
Research into how generative AI systems construct answers, interpret user needs and identify information that may be suitable for inclusion within AI-generated responses.
Generative Engine Optimisation
Investigation of the technical, informational, entity, evidence and authority conditions associated with visibility within generative search and AI-mediated discovery environments.
AI Citation & Source Selection
Examination of how sources may be discovered, evaluated and selected when AI systems provide citations, supporting evidence or references within generated answers.
Entity Authority & Digital Trust
Research into entity recognition, independent validation, reputation signals, evidence networks and the wider digital signals that contribute to machine-readable authority.
AI Recommendation Systems
Investigation of how AI systems may identify, compare and recommend organisations, providers, products or information sources in response to user requirements.
Search Evolution
Study of the transition from traditional ranked search results towards conversational, multimodal and generative discovery systems and the implications for digital visibility.
Sector Search Research
Applied research examining how AI Search, GEO, authority, trust and provider discovery operate across industries with different evidence requirements and decision environments.
Measurement & Research Observations
Development of measurement approaches, structured observations and original datasets designed to improve understanding of emerging AI Search and GEO behaviour.
SECTOR RESEARCH
Research Across Complex Discovery Environments
CGO Media applies its wider search research to sectors where authority, trust, evidence and provider selection can operate differently.
Financial Services
Healthcare
Legal
Technology
SaaS
Ecommerce & Retail
Property & Real Estate
Travel & Hospitality
Professional Services
Manufacturing
Education & EdTech
International Organisations
Research Integrity & Transparency
CGO Media aims to make the basis, status and limitations of its research clear. Our research programme includes different forms of output, ranging from conceptual frameworks and structured observations to original datasets and quantitative analysis.
These forms of research should not be treated as interchangeable. Where possible, publications explain the type of evidence being presented, the methodology used and the limitations that should be considered when interpreting the work.
01
Evidence & Source Selection
External evidence is assessed for relevance, provenance, authority and suitability for the research question. Sources are cited where they materially support research claims or provide necessary context.
02
Observations vs Statistics
Structured research observations are distinguished from empirical statistics. A recurring pattern, interpretation or observed behaviour is not presented as a measured population-level statistic unless appropriate data supports that conclusion.
03
Frameworks & Models
CGO Media frameworks and models are conceptual tools developed to organise research findings, observations and practical search considerations. They should not automatically be interpreted as validated predictive models.
04
Original Data
Where CGO Media publishes findings derived from original datasets, the relevant publication should describe the scope of the dataset, collection approach, analytical method and material limitations.
05
Limitations
AI Search and generative discovery systems can change rapidly and may behave differently across platforms, queries, locations and time periods. Material methodological and interpretive limitations are identified where relevant.
06
Versioning & Updates
Research may be revised as search technologies evolve, additional evidence becomes available or methodologies are refined. Working papers may therefore develop over time rather than remaining permanently static.
07
Corrections
Where a material error is identified, CGO Media may correct or update the relevant publication. Significant methodological or interpretive changes should be reflected transparently within the publication where appropriate.
08
Authorship & Attribution
Research authorship and contribution should reflect involvement in the individual publication. External evidence, datasets and third-party research are attributed where relevant.
DISCLOSURE
Research Within a Commercial Organisation
CGO Media is a commercial search consultancy and research organisation. Research produced by CGO Media may contribute to the development of methodologies, frameworks, tools and consulting approaches used within commercial client engagements.
Commercial relevance does not remove the need to distinguish evidence from interpretation. Research publications are intended to identify their evidential basis, methodological approach and limitations where these are material to understanding the work.
Funding arrangements, external commercial relationships or other potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed within individual research publications where they are relevant to the subject being investigated.
Research Beyond CGO Media
CGO Media publishes research primarily through its own Research Library while also maintaining external researcher profiles and repository records where appropriate.
External research platforms provide additional routes for researcher identification, publication discovery, citation and long-term attribution. They also allow journalists, researchers and other organisations to verify research activity independently of the CGO Media website.
PRIMARY PUBLICATION
CGO Media Research Library
The central research environment containing CGO Media working papers, frameworks, models, research observations, statistics, sector research and supporting resources.
RESEARCHER IDENTITY
Research Profiles
Persistent researcher profiles help connect publications to their authors and provide an external record of research activity and attribution.
DISCOVERY & ATTRIBUTION
Repositories & Indexes
Selected publications may also be made available through appropriate external repositories and research discovery systems.
EXTERNAL RESEARCH PRESENCE
Researcher Profiles & Publication Discovery
External profiles provide additional ways to identify the researcher, discover publications and verify research activity.
ORCID
A persistent researcher identifier connecting Roger Wilkinson with published and registered research outputs.
Google Scholar
Academic search and discovery can provide another route through which eligible CGO Media research publications and citations may be identified.
Figshare
Repository records can provide additional publication metadata, research discovery and persistent access to selected research outputs.
Academia.edu
Selected CGO Media working papers are made discoverable through an additional academic research and publication network.
Repository policy:
The availability of a publication on an external platform does not necessarily indicate independent peer review, endorsement or validation by that platform. Publication status and methodology should be assessed from the individual research record.
CGO MEDIA RESEARCH
Explore the Full Research Programme
Access working papers, frameworks, models, research observations, statistics and sector research through the CGO Media Research Library.
Research, Commentary & Collaboration
CGO Media research is intended to contribute to a wider understanding of AI Search, Generative Engine Optimisation, SEO and the changing digital discovery environment.
Journalists, researchers, organisations and industry specialists can contact the research team regarding published work, research methodology, expert commentary, data, citations and potential research collaboration.
01
Expert Commentary
Journalists covering AI Search, GEO, SEO, generative AI, digital discovery and the search economy can request research context or expert commentary.
02
Research & Methodology
Researchers can contact CGO Media regarding methodologies, published frameworks, research observations, datasets and questions relating to individual publications.
03
Applied Research
Organisations investigating changes in search, AI discovery or digital authority can discuss relevant CGO Media research and potential applied research projects.
04
Collaborative Research
CGO Media is open to appropriate research discussions with researchers, organisations, data providers and subject specialists where collaboration can strengthen the evidence base.
CITING CGO MEDIA RESEARCH
Using CGO Media Research in Your Work
Journalists, researchers and organisations may reference CGO Media research subject to the citation and usage information associated with the relevant publication. When citing research, please identify the individual publication, named author or authors, publication date and CGO Media as the publishing organisation where applicable.
CONTACT THE RESEARCH TEAM
Have a Research or Media Enquiry?
Contact CGO Media regarding research publications, methodology, expert commentary, data enquiries or potential collaboration.
Publication Responsibility & Research Accountability
CGO Media is responsible for the research it publishes through its research programme. Individual publications identify authorship, methodology, evidence and limitations where these are relevant to understanding the work.
01
Publication Responsibility
Responsibility for research publication remains with CGO Media and the named author or contributors associated with the individual research output.
02
Research Status
Publications may include working papers, conceptual research, frameworks, models, structured observations, statistical research and applied sector studies. The status of an individual publication should be considered when interpreting its findings.
03
Corrections & Revisions
CGO Media may correct, revise or expand research where errors are identified, additional evidence becomes available or changes in search technology materially affect the original analysis.
04
Research Enquiries
Questions concerning methodology, attribution, research findings, data, corrections or publication status can be directed to the CGO Media research team.
RESEARCH LEAD
Roger Wilkinson
Founder & Research Lead, CGO Media
Research programme direction includes responsibility for research strategy, conceptualisation, methodology development, investigation, framework development, writing, editorial review and the continuing development of the CGO Media research architecture.
CGO MEDIA RESEARCH
Researching how organisations, information and expertise are discovered, evaluated, cited and recommended in an increasingly AI-mediated search environment.