Case Study: Epoch Magazine

Epoch is a unique Israeli digital magazine that offers monthly in-depth content in the fields of culture, philosophy, geopolitics, and literature – from Israel and around the world. Unlike mainstream media, Epoch focuses on calculated commentary, depth, and a variety of opinions. The magazine has built a loyal and engaged readership and is based on a digital subscription model.

The Challenge

Despite Epoch’s high level of content and rich database of articles, the magazine barely appeared in AI engine answers. When users searched for “recommended culture magazine”, “reliable news sources for current affairs commentary”, or “digital magazines in Israel” – Epoch simply wasn’t there.

The problem was not the quality of the content, but rather that AI engines did not “see” Epoch as a reliable source worth citing. Large Language Models (LLMs) rely on a specific data structure, citations from external sources, and a network of links – and Epoch, like many magazines, was not organized according to these requirements.

Our Approach

We implemented a comprehensive GEO strategy for Epoch, which included several layers simultaneously:

  • Building Content Authority: Redesigning content templates to contain structured data, direct answers to common queries, and framing topics in a way that AI engines recognize as reliable and citable.

  • Strengthening Citation Presence: Building a network of references and appearances on authoritative external sites, so that AI engines learn to recognize Epoch as a source worth referring to.

  • Semantic Processing: Adjusting headings, metadata, and article structures to the way Large Language Models “read” and evaluate content.

  • Building Brand Identity in AI: Creating content that clearly defines Epoch, its uniqueness, and its target audience – so the AI can describe it in the best possible way.

The Results

  • From 8% to 25% – Used as a Source within 4 months.

  • From 4% to 14% – Brand Mentions within 3 months.

  • From 6% to 38% – Link Presence within 4 months.

Today, Epoch appears in top positions on Gemini, ChatGPT, and AI Overview – both for branded queries (“what is Epoch magazine”, “recommendations for Epoch magazine”) and general queries such as “recommended magazines for culture, art, and philosophy in Hebrew” and “where to listen to geopolitical analysis”.