GEO, or generative engine optimization, describes work to improve the visibility of information in generative search answers. For a business, the practical question is whether people and search systems can find and understand your information when answering a prospective customer’s question.
What is generative search?
Generative search composes an answer using retrieved information rather than only returning a list of links. A business may be mentioned as an option, while a page may be linked as a source. Record these separately: a mention need not contain a link, and a link need not lead to a visit.
The GEO term appears in research by Aggarwal and colleagues accepted at KDD 2024. Its experiments evaluate visibility in particular test settings; their results are not a promised percentage improvement for an individual business.
Source: Aggarwal et al. — GEO: Generative Engine Optimization (KDD 2024)
How do GEO, AEO, and SEO differ?
SEO concerns discovery through search engines. AEO emphasizes information that answers questions. GEO focuses on generative answers. Their boundaries often overlap: one page improvement can serve all three.
For example, a renovation service page explaining its service area, project types, survey process, and quoting criteria helps a reader decide whether it fits. Clarify that information before adding optimization terminology.
What does practical GEO work involve?
Start with one offer and a real customer question. In a hypothetical example, a renovation company receives the question “Can you renovate a small kitchen in Bristol without replacing every cabinet?” Its page should explain the work it offers and how it assesses feasibility.
- Record the facts: project types, service area, limits, contacts, and details still needing confirmation.
- Complete the page using answers from the business owner. Include examples or photos only when real and approved for publication.
- Link the page to the process, relevant guidance, and contact information.
- Review page access, main text, and markup that agrees with visible information.
- Keep a change log and a way to verify each improvement.
Does Google require special GEO schema?
Google says AI Overviews and AI Mode need no additional special optimization or schema. SEO foundations still apply, and pages must meet search eligibility requirements. That describes Google Search; it does not establish an identical mechanism for every AI platform.
Source: Google Search Central — AI features and your website
How do you measure AI visibility?
Separate four things: completed website changes, observed mentions or citations, visits from identifiable sources, and relevant business inquiries. One screenshot neither represents all users nor proves business impact.
Where available, use platform reports within their stated coverage. Bing AI Performance reports citation activity across its supported AI experiences. It is not a universal ranking across AI systems.
What should you ask a GEO service provider?
Ask to see the report format, reviewed URLs, reasons for priorities, and checks for each improvement. Agree whether the work covers an audit, implementation, or ongoing observation.
Terlihat.com discusses GEO within its AEO and AI search service. Scope follows business needs, without guaranteed recommendations from a particular platform.
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