GEO and AI visibility
GEO: help AI understand what you offer.
A citation in an answer is valuable when someone understands your expertise and knows what to do next. Build useful, verifiable and accessible pages around their real questions.
Understand the model. Stay in control. Choose your path.
At a glance
The answer in a few words
GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, means improving understanding and discovery of your content in AI search experiences. It relies on useful answers, verifiable facts and accessible SEO foundations. No formatting or structured data guarantees a citation in ChatGPT or Google.
The criteria that matter
SEO, GEO and conversion: complementary goals
| Goal | Useful work | Metric to track |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | Crawlable pages, clear intent, internal links and clear titles. | Impressions, clicks and pages in Search Console. |
| GEO | Self-contained answers, original examples, evidence and dated sources. | Observed citations and identifiable visits from AI services. |
| Conversion | Clear offer, visible action and a coherent journey. | Attributable inquiries, purchases or bookings. |
1. Answer a question, then provide evidence
Put a concise answer near the start of the page. Define terms, explain who the solution fits and give a concrete example. A coach can explain how to prepare for a first session; an educator can show exactly what a resource includes. Documented experience contributes more than a text repeating keywords.
2. Make your information verifiable
Show the author, useful sources and the actual review date. Separate facts from recommendations. Describe the offer’s limits and conditions. Structured data must match visible information; Google does not require special markup for its AI search experiences.
3. Check access before multiplying content
Check HTTP status, unintended noindex directives, the canonical URL and links to the page. For ChatGPT, OAI-SearchBot relates to search; GPTBot relates to training. Review bot settings and server protections separately, according to what you want to allow.
4. Measure interest and the next action
Track queries that generate impressions even without clicks, their landing pages and completed actions. Use AI reports available in your Search Console account and identifiable referrers in your analytics tool. A change alone cannot establish that GEO caused the result: compare periods and record changes.
What about local search?
GEO here means optimization for generative engines. For a local business, also specify the area actually served, language, online or in-person delivery and useful constraints. If you work in Réunion, explain that reality; do not create city pages without a presence or a specific offer.
Before you get started
Your questions answered.
How do SEO and GEO differ?
SEO supports discovery and understanding in search engines. GEO focuses more specifically on AI answers. Both rely on useful, reliable and accessible pages.
Is an llms.txt file enough to be cited?
No. Google states that it does not use this file for ranking. Focus on page access, quality and verifiable information; no file guarantees a recommendation.
Do you need a page for every query variation?
No. Group variations that seek the same answer. Create a distinct page when intent and usefulness change: definition, comparison, provider selection or a practical tool.
Your next step
Your audience should know what to do next.
Present your expertise, content or services through a journey your audience understands.
Move forward
Explore the journey that fits you.
Sources and terms
Updated on . Features depend on each service’s plans and terms.