What is generative engine optimization (GEO)?
Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the work of getting AI answer engines, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Overviews, to mention and recommend your brand when someone asks about what you sell. It builds on SEO, but the goal is to be inside the answer, not just in the list of links.
How it differs from SEO
- SEO aims for a ranking position; GEO aims for a mention or citation inside an AI-generated answer.
- AI engines cite only a few sources per answer, so competition is for a handful of slots.
- Third-party mentions carry a lot of weight: rankings, directories, reviews and press.
- Consistent entity data (name, location, services) across the web helps AI describe you correctly.
What it takes
- Pages that answer the question in the first paragraph, with concrete data.
- Solid SEO, because Perplexity and AI Overviews draw on top search results.
- Indexing in Bing, which ChatGPT relies on for web search.
- Presence in the lists and directories engines cite for your category.
- Regular measurement with a fixed set of questions across engines.
Brands we have worked with
Questions
Are GEO, AEO and LLMO the same thing?
They are different names for optimizing for AI answer engines. GEO is the most common term.
How long does GEO take?
Perplexity and AI Overviews can reflect changes within weeks; ChatGPT and Gemini take longer.
Can you pay to appear in ChatGPT answers?
Not in organic answers. Ads in AI engines are a separate space.
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