GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing content for AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity: making your brand easy for AI to retrieve, understand and cite in generated answers.
How GEO differs from traditional SEO
| Dimension | SEO | GEO |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Search result rankings | Mentions/citations in AI answers |
| Optimizes for | Crawlers & ranking algorithms | Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) & LLMs |
| Key signals | Backlinks, keywords, UX | Fact density, sources, structured data |
Implementation checklist
- Include citable data points (numbers, percentages, dates) with sources.
- Configure FAQPage / Article JSON-LD.
- Allow AI crawlers (GPTBot, ClaudeBot, etc.) and serve llms.txt.
FAQ
How does GEO relate to SEO?
SEO competes for search rankings; GEO competes for mentions and citations inside AI answers. Both rely on high-quality, crawlable content — GEO additionally rewards fact density, structured data and authoritative sources.
How do I start with GEO?
Core actions: publish fact-dense content (data, dates, prices with sources), add JSON-LD structured data, serve an llms.txt file, and keep brand information consistent on authoritative third-party platforms.