AI search, AEO & GEO
What is generative engine optimisation (GEO)?
Generative engine optimisation explained: how generative AI tools pick sources, and what businesses can do to be included.
Why GEO exists
Generative AI tools write their own answers instead of listing links. When they name businesses, they rely on what they learned in training and what they can retrieve from the web at the time.
What influences AI recommendations
- How clearly your website explains who you are, what you do and where
- Consistent business details across the web
- Reviews and reputation signals
- Mentions in articles, directories and industry sites
- Structured data that makes facts machine-readable
What GEO work looks like
- Test the prompts customers use and record the answers
- Fix inaccurate or missing information about your business
- Strengthen entity signals: about page, schema, profiles
- Publish clear, quotable content on your expertise
- Earn mentions on sources AI tools trust
- Re-test regularly
Managing expectations
Nobody controls AI outputs, and answers vary between tools and even between sessions. GEO improves your odds.
Frequently asked questions
Is GEO different from AEO?
The terms overlap. GEO usually refers to generative AI tools; AEO covers answer engines more broadly.
Can I pay to appear in ChatGPT answers?
Not in the organic answers. Visibility comes from the signals AI tools use to find and trust sources.
How do I measure GEO?
By regularly testing relevant prompts across AI tools and tracking how often and how accurately you appear.
