What is GEO
What is generative engine optimisation (GEO)?
Written by Zain M.Last updated
Search stopped being a list of links. It became a conversation.
Generative Engine Optimisation is the practice of making your business the answer that AI assistants give. When someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity to recommend a supplier, the model does not show ten options — it names two or three. GEO is the work of making sure you are one of them.
GEO vs traditional SEO
Traditional SEO
Competing for a blue link.
- Optimises for a page of ten results
- Success = ranking position
- The user still has to click and compare
- Keywords and backlinks do the work
GEO
Becoming the answer itself.
- Optimises for a single spoken recommendation
- Success = being named and cited
- The user is handed one shortlist — or one name
- Entities, sources and citations do the work