What is generative engine optimization (GEO)?
Generative engine optimisation (GEO) is getting your business surfaced and cited by generative AI engines — the ChatGPT, Perplexity or Gemini answer, not the Google link. It is the same goal as answer engine optimisation, named for the generative models doing the answering.
Generative engines increasingly sit between your customer and you: when ChatGPT searches, most queries match no traditional keyword (Semrush).
GEO, AEO, LLM SEO — what's the difference?
Honestly, very little. Generative engine optimisation, answer engine optimisation and LLM SEO are competing labels for one job: being the business a generative model names and cites. The label matters less than the work.
The model is the new middleman.
A generative engine increasingly stands between your customer and your business, summarising the options into a short answer. GEO is how you make sure that summary includes you — with information the model can read, trust and quote.
How GEO is done.
- Be legible to machines. Clear, structured information and direct answers to the questions customers actually ask.
- Be consistent everywhere. The same name, services and area across your site, your Google Business Profile and every listing.
- Earn trusted citations. Mentions and reviews on the sources these engines already read and trust.
- Monitor what they say. Track whether the AI names you, and for which questions, and close the gaps.
Links vs mentions.
Traditional SEO competes for a rank in a list of links a person then clicks. GEO competes for a mention inside an answer the model has already written. SEO is not dead — GEO sits alongside it, for a surface that did not exist a few years ago.
Common questions.
What is generative engine optimization?
Generative engine optimisation (GEO) is the practice of getting your business surfaced and cited by generative AI engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini, rather than only ranking in traditional search.
Is GEO the same as AEO?
Effectively yes. Generative engine optimisation, answer engine optimisation and LLM SEO are near-interchangeable terms for being the answer a generative model gives.
What is the difference between GEO and SEO?
SEO competes for a clickable link in a list of results. GEO competes for a mention inside an answer the AI has already generated, where there is no list to scroll.
Does GEO replace SEO?
No. GEO sits alongside SEO. Search results still matter; GEO adds a new surface — the AI answer — that did not exist a few years ago.
How do you do GEO?
Make your business legible to machines with clear structured content, keep details consistent everywhere, earn citations on trusted sources, and monitor what the engines say about you.
How do you track GEO results?
By asking the generative engines the questions your customers would and recording whether they name and cite you, then watching how that changes as you improve.
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Related questions
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