What is GEO?
Generative Engine Optimization — and why it matters more than ever for your business.
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing your online presence so that AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI recommend your business when people ask questions related to your products or services.
How AI search is different from Google
When someone searches on Google, they see a list of links and choose which one to click. The goal of traditional SEO is to get your link as high up that list as possible.
AI search works completely differently. When someone asks ChatGPT "what's the best accountant in Manchester?" or asks Perplexity "which email marketing tool should I use?", the AI doesn't show a list of links. It gives a direct answer — and recommends specific businesses by name.
If your business isn't optimized for how AI tools read and understand content, you won't be in that answer. Your competitor might be.
Why traditional SEO isn't enough
Traditional SEO focuses on keywords, backlinks, and ranking signals that Google's algorithm uses to sort its index. These still matter — but they don't determine whether an AI tool recommends you.
AI tools assess authority, trustworthiness, content clarity, and structured data. A business with average Google rankings but strong GEO can be recommended by AI tools far more than a business sitting in Google's top 3.
What GEO actually involves
Structured Data
Schema markup that tells AI tools exactly what your business does, where you operate, and what you offer.
Content Authority
In-depth, accurate content that positions your business as the expert source AI tools trust and cite.
Clear Entity Definition
Making sure AI tools understand who you are, what you do, and why you're credible — unambiguously.
FAQ Optimization
Structuring your content to directly answer the questions your customers are asking AI tools right now.
Who needs GEO?
Any business that relies on being found online. If your customers use the internet to find products or services like yours, some of them are now using AI to do that search. That number is growing every month.
Early adopters of GEO have a significant advantage — the businesses that establish AI visibility now will be much harder to displace later.
Frequently asked questions
Does GEO replace SEO?
No. GEO builds on top of your existing SEO. Think of it as an additional layer that extends your visibility into AI-powered search. We never recommend abandoning traditional SEO.
Which AI tools does GEO target?
Primarily ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Copilot, and Claude. Each has slightly different optimization requirements, which we account for in our implementation.
How long does it take to see results?
AI tools update their knowledge and retrieval systems on varying schedules. Most clients see measurable improvements in AI visibility within 60-90 days of implementation.
Can you measure GEO performance?
Yes. We track how often your business is recommended across AI platforms, which queries trigger recommendations, and how your visibility compares to competitors over time.
See how visible you are to AI right now
Get a free audit and find out exactly how AI tools see your business today.
Get Your Free GEO Audit