Your customers no longer just type keywords into Google. They ask an AI a full question and get a single answer that cites two or three companies. GEO is the discipline that decides whether you're one of them.
What is GEO?
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), or optimization for generative engines, covers the methods that let a business be cited and recommended by AI assistants: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity and Mistral. Where classic search optimization targets a position in a list of links, GEO targets a place in the answer itself.
GEO and SEO: what's the difference?
SEO and GEO share one goal - being found - but rely on distinct mechanics:
- SEO optimises for a ranking: ten blue links, among which the user chooses.
- GEO optimises for a spoken, synthesised answer: a handful of named companies, the rest becomes invisible.
- SEO relies mainly on keywords and backlinks; GEO draws on the cited sources, structured data and reputation that the model deems trustworthy.
SEO ranks you. GEO gets you cited. In a single answer, the difference between being named or not is worth the sale.
The three GEO metrics
Measuring your presence in AI answers relies on three metrics:
- Visibility: the share of answers where your brand is cited.
- Position: your rank in the answer - first name or last.
- Sentiment: the tone AI uses about you, and what to fix.
How to improve your AI visibility?
The most effective levers revolve around what the models read and consider credible:
- Cultivate the frequently cited sources in your sector (directories, reviews, trade media).
- Structure your content with structured data (JSON-LD) and clear questions and answers.
- Publish comparison pages and FAQs that engines readily pick up.
- Strengthen your verified customer reviews, a heavily weighted trust signal.
- Measure continuously to adjust - that's exactly the role of the GeoReady platform.
Where to start?
The first step is always a measurement: knowing what AI answers about you today. You can then run it yourself via the platform, or hand the work to our experts via the managed service.