The GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) Thread

[hipcat]

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) has been gaining traction over the past year as generative AI increases in popularity and evolves exponentially, but no one here seems to be discussing it, so I thought I'd start the first major thread on the topic.

What Is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?

The simple answer is that it involves optimizing your website to be found in searches powered by artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, etc. It's becoming important as more people turn to these AI search engines for results rather than traditional sources, such as Google & Bing.

Generative AI results tend to favor well-written articles featuring statistics, citations, quotes from experts & structured data with JSON-LD schemas, according to recent studies showing results.

What are your thoughts on this recent development in the search engine landscape? Are you prepared for it? Sound off below!

 

[VanessaChuuy]

Most aren’t. A 2024 HubSpot report found only 12% of marketers have a GEO strategy. The winners will be those who:

• Partner with AI developers to understand model training data (e.g., OpenAI’s web crawler preferences).
• Build content hubs that function as “AI knowledge bases.”
• Track mentions in AI outputs (tools like Originality.ai are adding GEO audit features).

 

[peolsolutions]

GEO refers to the process of optimizing content for AI-driven search engines such as Google SGE and ChatGPT. A GEO approach differs from traditional SEO in that it focuses on structuring content for AI readability, using conversational tones, answering queries clearly, and maintaining credibility. Structured data, authoritative sources, and keywords that are intent-based are key strategies. To remain visible and relevant in AI-generated search results, businesses must adapt GEO techniques.

 

[roggy]

GEO is really an interesting evolution in the search game. As AI-powered search engines gain ground, it's pushing us all to step up our content game. I've noticed that the emphasis is now on well-researched, data-backed articles with proper citations and structured data, which not only boosts credibility but also helps AI understand the content better.

Personally, I'm excited about this shift because it forces a move away from keyword stuffing toward truly valuable, informative content. For those of us in the digital space, it means learning new optimization strategies that blend traditional SEO with these new AI-focused techniques.

If you're looking to prepare, start by reviewing your current content, make sure it's detailed, supported by solid data, and well-structured. It's a learning curve, but embracing it could really set you apart in a rapidly evolving landscape.

 

[lesseo]

Yes, ever since we realized this and started creating geo-specific content, we’ve noticed a clear increase in the number of visitors.

 

[herbertmparry]

GEO is definitely becoming one of the biggest shifts in digital visibility, and honestly, most businesses aren’t ready for it yet. Traditional SEO has always focused on ranking in Google’s SERPs, but generative engines work completely differently—they don’t show a list of links, they give one consolidated answer.

That means if your brand isn’t included in the training data, entity networks, structured markup, or authoritative sources these models pull from, you won’t appear at all.

A few thoughts on this shift:

1. GEO is less about keywords and more about “answer authority.”
AI platforms prioritize content that directly satisfies user intent with clarity, accuracy, and strong supporting data. Well-structured answers, expert quotes, and factual consistency matter more than keyword density.

2. Entities are the new ranking signal.
Brands with clear, verifiable identity markers—schema, NAP consistency, knowledge graphs, and digital mentions—get picked up more easily by AI models.

3. Content needs to be machine-readable, not just human-readable.
JSON-LD schemas, structured FAQs, citations, stat boxes, and authoritative references all help AI engines trust and reuse your information.

4. GEO is more competitive because there is no Page 2.
AI gives a single best answer. If you're not included, you're invisible. This makes GEO critical for industry experts, agencies, and service-based businesses.

5. Most websites will need to evolve to stay visible by 2026.
Especially as tools like ChatGPT Search, Gemini AI Search, and Perplexity continue replacing traditional searches.

Overall, GEO isn’t “the future” anymore — it’s already here.
The brands that start optimizing for generative engines now will have a huge advantage over those still focused only on classic SEO.