Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the emerging field of optimising content specifically for AI-generated search experiences — including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT search, Perplexity, and other LLM-powered answer engines. It extends traditional SEO by accounting for how generative models select, summarise, and attribute sources.
GEO vs. Traditional SEO
| Traditional SEO | GEO |
|---|---|
| Optimise for ranking position | Optimise for citation in AI responses |
| Target keyword density and links | Target factual clarity and entity authority |
| Measured by clicks and impressions | Measured by mention frequency and share of voice |
| Algorithm is mostly known | Generative selection criteria are opaque |
Core GEO Principles
- Entity clarity — define who you are, what you do, and your unique positioning explicitly in your content
- Factual density — include specific statistics, dates, and verifiable claims that AI models prefer to cite
- Source authority — earn third-party mentions, reviews, and press coverage that train models to associate your brand with a topic
- Structured content — use clear H2s, definitions, and FAQ formats that AI can extract and summarise
- Freshness — models trained on recent data or using RAG favour current, regularly updated content