Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): What to Know Right Now

AI is changing search faster than anything we’ve seen.

People aren’t just Googling anymore. They’re asking ChatGPT. Scanning Reddit. Watching YouTube. Searching in Perplexity and Gemini.

If your brand doesn’t show up there, you’re invisible.

That’s where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) comes in.

What is GEO?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing your content and brand so that it appears in AI-generated answers on platforms like Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.

Not just ranking on Google.

Not just getting clicks.

But becoming the answer.

These tools pull from across the web. They summarize. They cite. They recommend.

You want to be part of that recommendation.

Why This Matters Now

• Google’s AI Overviews now appear on 13% of searches.
• LLM traffic is expected to surpass traditional Google search by 2028.
• We’ve seen an 800% YoY increase in AI referrals across our sites.

This isn’t a trend. It’s the next evolution of search.

GEO vs. Traditional SEO

You don’t need to throw out everything you know. Most of GEO is just SEO done right.

The difference? You’re optimizing for what AI understands and repeats — not just what ranks.

Old SEO: Rank high on Google.

New SEO: Be trusted, cited, and found across every surface that influences a buyer.

That means:

• Still care about backlinks. But care more about mentions.
• Still target keywords. But structure for long-tail prompts.
• Still build authority. But do it across YouTube, Reddit, and forums too.

The 7 GEO Moves That Matter

1. Get the Basics Right

If AI can’t crawl your site, you’re done.

Make sure your pages are fast, indexable, mobile-friendly, and secure.

Add author bios. Use schema. Make every page easy to parse — for bots and humans.

2. Build Mention Authority

Google uses links. AI uses mentions.

That includes unlinked brand mentions, co-citations, and repeated pairings with relevant topics or competitors.

Ask ChatGPT or Perplexity about your brand. See what comes up. Then earn mentions in places they’re pulling from.

3. Diversify Your Presence

AI tools love Reddit. They trust YouTube. They surface podcast transcripts, Quora threads, and industry forums.

If you’re not active there, you’re missing half the game.

Create content on the platforms your buyers use — even if it’s not Google.

4. Analyze What AI Is Citing

Test prompts. Run searches. Ask what your customers ask.

Pay attention to who gets mentioned, what content shows up, and which formats dominate.

Do it manually or with tools like Peec AI and the Semrush AI Toolkit.

5. Answer Real Questions

People talk to AI differently than they search on Google.

“What’s the best meal delivery for a family of picky eaters?”

Not:

“meal delivery service reviews”

Use that to your advantage. Mine Reddit, support tickets, and forums for the exact questions people ask.
Then answer them — clearly and completely.

6. Structure for Snippetability

• One idea per paragraph.
• Clear H2s and H3s.
• Short sentences.
• Quotes and stats upfront.
• Use <strong> for key facts.
• Use schema for FAQs and How-Tos.

Think like this: if the AI wanted to grab one sentence from your article, did you make that easy?

7. Track Your Visibility

AI mentions are trackable. And you should be tracking them.

Start simple. Ask ChatGPT and Perplexity basic queries.
See what they say about you — and your competitors.
Then graduate to platforms like Profound, Ziptie.dev, or Semrush AIO.

If you’re not visible now, you won’t be visible later.

Final Word

GEO isn’t a replacement for SEO. It’s a reality check.

The way people discover has changed. The tools they use have changed.

But the brands that win are still the ones that:

• Show up in the right places
• Earn trust
• Help first

Do that — and you won’t just keep up.

You’ll lead.