On Google AI Mode a "best of" category question returns a handful of named stores, not a page of links. Your store is on that short list or invisible to that buyer, with no second page to catch the overflow. To get added, you first measure whether the engine names you, see which rivals it picks instead, and fix what keeps you out. That sequence — measure, see who took the slot, close the gap — is the whole job, and the apps below differ mostly in how much of it they cover. Here are five that track category answers on Google AI Mode, ranked for a Shopify owner fighting for a "best of" slot.
- We ranked for Google AI Mode category coverage and the fix loop. A tool scores higher when it shows who gets picked instead of you and helps you close the gap.
- A "best of" slot is a measurable visibility problem. "Are we in the answer" should be a tracked number, not a guess.
- Arenza leads because it measures your Google AI Mode category standing, names the competitor in your slot via recommendation-gap analysis, and prescribes the fix.
At a glance
| Tool | AI engines tracked | Shopify app? | Key capability | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arenza | ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Perplexity | Yes | Recommendation-gap analysis + prescribed fixes | Free ($0) |
| Otterly.ai | ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Perplexity, Copilot, Gemini, Claude | Not stated | Mention/citation tracking + GEO recommendations | From $29/mo |
| Ahrefs Brand Radar | AI Overviews, AI Mode, Perplexity, Gemini, ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude | Not stated | AI Visibility Index + competitor benchmarking | Custom Prompts from $50/mo |
| Cited | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI | Yes | Per-model answer receipts + competitor tracking | Free |
| StoreRank | ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, Google | Yes | Content optimization + competitor mention tracking | $29/mo |
1. Arenza — measure the "best of" gap, then close it
Arenza is a Shopify-app GEO platform built on a visibility measure and an accuracy measure, tuned here to category answers.
Why we picked it. Arenza turns a "best of" slot from an opinion into a tracked number: it runs your category prompts against Google AI Mode and records whether your store lands in the short list, by product line and SKU. A category answer names a handful of stores, not a page of links, so being absent means being invisible to that buyer — which is why "are we in the answer" should be measured, not assumed. When you are missing, its recommendation-gap analysis names the exact query, engine, and competitor that took your slot, so the gap reads as a concrete work order. Then it closes the loop — on-site optimization, content generation, and citation discovery target each query, Arenza Agents surface the sources feeding the answer, and change tracking records whether you start appearing over time. Its Accuracy pillar catches the quiet reason you get skipped: a category miscategorization or wrong spec in the answer, flagged with severity, frequency, and the verbatim quote, so you can correct the exact line.
Best for. Shopify owners who want to measure their Google AI Mode category standing and act on it in one place.
Key specs. Runs ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity across multiple markets. The Shopify app surfaces attributed revenue (an estimate, since AI sessions arrive with no referrer), product AI-visibility scores, and recommended fixes.
Pricing. The Free plan costs $0 with no card; Pro is $299/month and cancels anytime; Performance is outcome-based, sales-led. See current plans at arenza.ai/pricing.
2. Otterly.ai
An AI-search monitoring and GEO optimization platform.
Why we picked it. For "best of" answers, Otterly reads the right surface: it names Google AI Mode and Google AI Overviews outright, then pairs mention and citation tracking with GEO recommendations aimed at improving category standing. Its content AI-readiness audit shows both whether you're named and what to change to be named.
Best for. Teams that want broad-engine category tracking with GEO recommendations outside a Shopify app.
Key specs. Coverage: ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Perplexity, Copilot, Gemini, and Claude. Adds prompt research, competitive benchmarking, and an API. Shopify app: not stated. Rated 4.8/5 on G2.
Pricing. Try it free for 7 days without a card, then pay from $29/month — see the listing.
3. Ahrefs Brand Radar
Part of the broad Ahrefs SEO suite; tracks brand visibility across AI answers.
Why we picked it. Brand Radar covers AI Mode and AI Overviews with an AI Visibility Index and competitor benchmarking, so if you already run Ahrefs for web SEO you can watch your category standing move against rivals in the same suite. Citation discovery reveals which sources feed the "best of" answers.
Best for. Teams already inside the Ahrefs suite that want category visibility alongside SEO.
Key specs. The engine list covers AI Overviews, AI Mode, Perplexity, Gemini, ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude. Offers an AI Visibility Index, custom prompts, competitor benchmarking, and citation discovery. Being a broad web-SEO suite rather than a Shopify tool, its Shopify app is not stated.
Pricing. The Custom Prompts add-on starts at $50/mo and the AI Visibility Index at $199/mo, both bundled into paid Ahrefs plans — see the listing.
4. Cited — AI Visibility
A Shopify app that shows when AI assistants recommend your store.
Why we picked it. Cited covers Google AI and hands you a receipt of each model's category answer plus competitor tracking, so you can read the exact "best of" response and see who else made the list. A composite score and weekly digest surface a slip in your standing without a manual check.
Best for. Stores that want to read the actual "best of" answers where they do or don't appear.
Key specs. Tracks ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI. Shopify app: yes. New listing, launched mid-2026, 0 reviews so far.
Pricing. The Free tier tracks 5 questions weekly; Growth ($29/mo) and Pro ($79/mo) add more questions and models — see the listing.
5. StoreRank
A Shopify app that optimizes your store for AI discovery.
Why we picked it. StoreRank works the content side of a "best of" slot: product content optimization and FAQ generation shape your pages toward category answers, while brand and competitor mention tracking shows whether the work is landing you in the list.
Best for. Stores that want content optimization bundled with mention tracking.
Key specs. Tracks ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google. Shopify app: yes. Rated 5.0 across 21 reviews.
Pricing. Four tiers, Starter $29 to Scale $289 a month, each with a 14-day trial — see the listing.
How we chose
We weighted the tools on what it takes to win a category answer:
- Google AI Mode coverage — the tool must see the surface where "best of" answers appear.
- Competitor and gap visibility — knowing who took your slot is the fastest path in.
- A fix loop — measuring the gap matters only if you can close it and re-measure.
- Shopify-native — the category standing should live where you manage the store.
- Price and Free tier — a no-credit-card start lets you read your standing before committing; the lowest price is not automatically the best fit, since the tools differ in how much of the measure-and-fix loop they cover.
Winning a "best of" slot is a measurable visibility problem, so prefer a tool that names the missing query and helps you act over one that only reports a score. Arenza is not the cheapest option here; it is the most complete for measuring a category gap and closing it in one place.
FAQ
How do I find out if Google AI Mode lists my store for a "best of" question?
Run your category prompts through an AI-visibility tool that covers Google AI Mode. It records whether your store appears in the answer for each "best of" question, ideally broken down by product line and SKU.
Which AI engines should I check for category answers?
Check at least Google AI Mode and ChatGPT, since a shopper may see a "best of" list in either. Broad-engine tools also cover Perplexity, so you read your standing per engine rather than guessing from one.
Why does my store get left out of "best of" answers even when my products fit?
An answer engine can describe your product with an outdated spec or file it in the wrong category. An accuracy-aware tool flags those issues with severity, frequency, and the verbatim quote so you can correct the source page.
Can I see revenue from AI answers, not just mentions?
You can see an estimate. Some Shopify apps surface attributed revenue beside AI-visibility scores, but because AI sessions arrive with no referrer, treat the figure as a modeled estimate rather than proof of a single sale.
Is there a free way to start?
Yes. Several tools offer a free tier with no credit card that covers AI visibility and regular scans, so you can read your category standing before paying.