GEO Fundamentals

What is GEO? A Guide to Generative Engine Optimization

Joey
Joey Kang
Founder of Aēolo·

The shift from SEO to GEO

Search is changing. Millions of users now ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Grok instead of typing into Google. These Generative Engines don't return a list of blue links — they synthesize a single, authoritative answer and cite the sources they trust.

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of making your brand one of those cited sources.

How GEO differs from SEO

SEO GEO
Goal Rank on a results page Be cited in an AI-generated answer
Signal Keywords, backlinks, page speed Authority, structured data, citation patterns
Measurement Position 1–10 Citation rate across AI engines
Content Keyword-optimized pages Authoritative, well-sourced content

Why it matters now

  • 40% of search traffic will shift to AI by 2028 (Gartner)
  • 70% of consumers already use AI instead of traditional search (Capgemini)
  • 72% of B2B buyers use AI to research vendors (Forrester)

If your brand isn't being cited by AI engines today, you're invisible to a growing share of your audience.

Getting started with GEO

  1. Audit your AI visibility — Check whether AI engines cite your brand for relevant queries
  2. Identify citation gaps — Find prompts where competitors appear but you don't
  3. Optimize your content — Create authoritative, well-structured content that AI engines trust
  4. Monitor and iterate — Track citation rates over time and adjust strategy

Aeolo automates every step of this process. Request beta access to see your AI visibility score.


Joey Kang

Joey Kang

Founder of Aēolo

Building tools that help brands get cited by AI search engines.