Generative engine optimizationGEO
Earning a place in the longer answers, comparisons and shortlists that AI tools write.
In plain English
When someone asks an AI to compare options or recommend a provider, it writes a fresh answer from many sources. GEO is the work of making sure your business is one of the names in that answer, and that what the AI says about you is accurate.
In practice
Asked “best kitchen remodelers in Charlotte”, Gemini lists four companies. The ones with clear service pages, strong reviews and mentions on trusted local sites are the ones it names.
GEOvsAEO
GEO is about being on the AI’s shortlist. AEO is about being the single direct answer.
Related terms
AI search basicsStarter Answer engine optimizationAEO Shaping your pages so an AI tool picks them as the direct answer to a buyer’s question. In practice, and related terms → Citations & visibilityStarter Brand mention When an AI answer names your business, with or without a link back to your site. In practice, and related terms → Measuring resultsStarter Share of voice How often you are named in AI answers for your category, compared with your competitors. In practice, and related terms →