GEO: The New SEO for the Age of AI
Why Content Creators Should Care
What is GEO?
Y'all know I like to go deep down the rabbit hole when I start writing so considered yourself informed that this post is going to be one of those.
But before anything else, I have to give a shout out to my guy Doc Rock - who recently posted a video about the changing online landscape and why GEO is becoming more relevant that SEO.
After you read this post - go check him out HERE.
If you’re a content creator, you already know about SEO (Search Engine Optimization)—the art and science of getting your work found on Google. But there’s a new acronym on the block: GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization. And if you’re hoping to stay visible in a world run by ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other AI-powered platforms, this is a trend you can’t afford to ignore.
GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization. Instead of focusing just on getting your content ranked high on search engines, GEO is all about making your content easy to find, reference, and use by generative AI engines. These are the tools (think ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, etc.) that answer questions, write summaries, and generate content on the fly—often pulling information from the web, including blog posts, articles, and videos.
Why GEO Matters Now
Here’s the shift: People are starting to use AI chatbots and assistants to find information, get recommendations, and solve problems—sometimes instead of traditional search engines. That means these generative engines are becoming a new gateway between creators and their audiences.
Think about it like this - If your content is optimized for generative AI, it’s more likely to be surfaced, cited, or summarized in those AI-driven answers. That means more visibility, more traffic, and more impact.
How Does GEO Work?
GEO is still new, but here’s what it typically involves:
Clear, Credible Content: AI models prefer well-structured, trustworthy info. Cite your sources, use clean formatting, and avoid clickbait.
FAQ and Q&A Formats: AI loves direct, answer-style content. Adding FAQs or question-and-answer sections can boost your chances of being picked up by a generative engine.
Schema Markup: Structured data helps both search engines and AI bots understand what your page is about.
Consistent Branding: Make sure your name, brand, and links are clear—AI will sometimes cite you as a source!
shouts out to some thorough web searches and video reviews so I can bring you this information !!
Why GEO is So Important for Creators
Bigger Reach: If AI assistants are referencing your work, you’re reaching audiences beyond just search engine traffic.
Future-Proof Visibility: As more people use generative AI to discover and summarize content, you’ll stay ahead of the curve.
Authority & Trust: Being cited as a source by AI platforms builds credibility.
Now I like all 3 of those, but that last one, Authority & Trust really speaks to much of why many of us are in the consulting and coaching fields (we want to build that trusted advisor relationship with our clients).
Actionable Tips for Creators
I'm dropping gems and giving you homework folks...
Write clearly and directly—think “explainers” and “how-tos.”
Add FAQ sections to your blog posts and videos.
Use structured data where possible
Make your brand and links easy for bots to find and cite.
SEO isn’t going away, but GEO is quickly becoming just as important. Optimizing your content for generative engines means you’re not just found—you’re referenced, cited, and trusted in the new age of AI.
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