Fundamentals3 min read
What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?
GEO is the practice of influencing what generative AI models say about you across their outputs, the umbrella term over AEO.
By Faraaz Khan
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of influencing what generative AI models say about you across all of their outputs, not just a single answer, but how you're described, recommended and ranked anywhere a model generates text. It's the umbrella over AEO, adding reputation across the wider web.
GEO vs AEO
AEO is answer-focused: be the cited source when an engine answers a question. GEO is broader: make sure that whenever a model talks about your category, your brand is present, accurate and favorable. Full comparison in AEO vs SEO vs GEO.
What GEO work looks like
- Get the on-page basics right first, readable HTML, schema, trust signals.
- Earn mentions in the sources models lean on: reputable articles, comparisons, directories, reviews.
- Keep facts about your company consistent everywhere, so models converge on accurate claims.
- Track it: watch category leaderboards to see whether engines actually name you.
Frequently asked questions
Is GEO the same as AEO?
- They overlap heavily. AEO focuses on being the cited answer in AI answer engines; GEO is the broader practice of shaping all generative AI output about you, including reputation across the wider web. Many people use the terms interchangeably.
How is GEO measured?
- By presence and accuracy: whether generative models mention you in your category, how often, and whether what they say is correct. Tracking which businesses engines actually recommend per category is one concrete way to measure it.