Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO): Appear in AI Search Recommendations
I position your business for visibility in AI search systems. When someone uses ChatGPT, Google AI overviews or Perplexity to find services, your business needs to be in those responses.
What is Generative Engine Optimisation?
Generative Engine Optimisation addresses how content appears in AI-generated responses. As AI systems like ChatGPT, Google AI overviews and Perplexity become common information sources, businesses need strategies to be included in these generated responses.
Unlike traditional search where users click through to websites, AI systems often synthesise answers from multiple sources. GEO focuses on making your content a source that AI systems reference and recommend.
This is an emerging discipline that builds on traditional organic principles while adapting to the specific behaviours of generative AI systems.
How AI Search Systems Work
AI-powered search and recommendation systems operate differently from traditional search:
- Synthesis: AI systems combine information from multiple sources rather than simply ranking pages
- Understanding: LLMs interpret meaning and context, not just phrase matching
- Authority Assessment: AI systems evaluate source credibility based on training data and retrieval signals
- Response Generation: Answers are constructed dynamically based on the query context
Content must be structured and positioned for AI comprehension and selection.
GEO Principles
- Factual Accuracy: AI systems prefer information that aligns with consensus sources and can be verified
- Clarity: Content that is clearly written and unambiguous is more likely to be referenced
- Authority: Established brands and credible sources are preferred in AI recommendations
- Uniqueness: Original information and perspectives that are not available elsewhere
- Completeness: Comprehensive coverage of topics that addresses full user intent
GEO vs AEO
While related, GEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) address different aspects of AI-influenced search:
- AEO focuses on appearing in featured snippets and direct answers within traditional search results
- GEO focuses on being referenced by generative AI systems that create synthesised responses
AEO optimises for extraction: having content pulled into answer boxes. GEO optimises for reference: being a source that AI systems draw upon when generating responses.
Both share foundational elements: clear structure, accurate information and authoritative positioning. I typically address both within a single campaign.
What GEO Work Includes
- Entity Establishment: Building clear, consistent entity representations across the web
- Content Authority: Developing content that demonstrates expertise and trustworthiness
- Information Architecture: Structuring content for AI comprehension and retrieval
- Source Diversification: Ensuring your brand appears across multiple authoritative contexts
- Fact Verification: Ensuring all claims are accurate and attributable
- Schema Markup: Implementing structured data that AI systems can parse
GEO Pricing
GEO work is typically included as part of a broader campaign starting from $1,200 per month. Standalone GEO projects can be scoped separately depending on your existing content and competitive landscape.
Written quote before anything starts. No lock-in contracts. Month to month with 30 days notice.
An Evolving Discipline
GEO is a new field. AI systems are changing rapidly and strategies that work today may need adjustment as these systems develop.
What remains consistent is the value of high-quality, accurate content from credible sources. Building genuine authority and creating useful content remains the foundation of visibility across both traditional and AI-powered search.
GEO should be viewed as an extension of sound organic practice rather than a replacement for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
GEO addresses how your content appears in AI-generated responses. As AI systems like ChatGPT, Google AI overviews, and Perplexity become common information sources, GEO focuses on making your content a source that these systems reference and recommend.
AEO focuses on appearing in featured snippets and direct answers within traditional search results. GEO focuses on being referenced by generative AI systems that create synthesised responses. AEO optimises for extraction, GEO optimises for reference. Both share foundational elements like clear structure and accurate information.
GEO work is typically included as part of a broader campaign starting from $1,200 per month. Standalone GEO projects can be scoped separately depending on your existing content and competitive landscape. Written quote provided before work begins.
GEO is increasingly relevant for all businesses as more people use AI tools to find services. When someone asks ChatGPT or Google AI for recommendations, the businesses that get mentioned are those with clear, accurate, well-structured online presences.
Free Visibility Audit
I can explain how AI search developments affect your business and discuss relevant strategies. No obligation.