Generative Engine Optimisation — Get Cited in AI Search Answers

Traditional SEO optimises for keyword rankings in blue-link search results. GEO optimises for citation in AI-generated answers. The two overlap significantly — high-quality, authoritative content with strong E-E-A-T signals performs well in both — but GEO requires additional focus on: structured information (AI models prefer clearly formatted facts over narrative prose); comprehensive topic coverage (AI engines prefer sources that cover a topic thoroughly); factual accuracy (AI models use credibility signals to select sources); and entity clarity (clear definitions of who you are and what you do help LLMs reference you accurately).

Yes. GEO measurement is still evolving but key metrics include: Google Search Console's AI Overview impressions and clicks; manual and automated testing of brand/topic queries across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini; third-party tools tracking AI citation frequency (Authoritas, BrightEdge AI Visibility); and brand mention monitoring across AI platforms. We provide monthly GEO visibility reports alongside traditional SEO metrics so you can see the combined picture.

Yes. Google AI Overviews appear above traditional blue-link results and generate their own clicks — some users click source links within the AI Overview rather than scrolling to traditional results. Studies show that appearing as a cited source in AI Overviews can drive incremental clicks even while the presence of AI Overviews reduces clicks to traditional results. Being a cited source is the goal — not just appearing in traditional results below the AI Overview.

AI engines favour content that is: factually dense (specific claims, statistics, named entities); clearly structured (headers, lists, tables that make information easy to parse); from authoritative sources (strong domain authority, expert authorship, citation by other credible sources); comprehensive (covers a topic from multiple angles rather than superficially); and freshly updated (recency signals matter particularly for rapidly evolving topics). Long-form guides, original research, and definition/explanation content tend to attract more AI citations than product pages or thin promotional content.

Google AI Overviews first — they have by far the largest search volume reach and are triggered for a wide range of commercial and informational queries. Perplexity is the fastest-growing AI search engine and particularly relevant for research-oriented industries. ChatGPT Search is growing rapidly and particularly important for brand searches. We optimise for all three simultaneously because the content improvements that earn Google AI Overview citations also improve performance on other AI platforms.

No. GEO is extending SEO, not replacing it. Traditional keyword rankings remain valuable for transactional and local queries where AI Overviews are rarely shown. E-E-A-T signals, quality content, and authoritative backlinks — the foundations of good SEO — are also the foundations of good GEO. The most effective strategy combines both: maintain strong traditional SEO rankings while building the content depth and authority signals that earn AI citations.

AI visibility improvements are typically faster to observe than traditional SEO ranking movements. New or restructured content can begin appearing in Google AI Overviews within 2 to 4 weeks of indexation. Perplexity citation frequency improves as content earns more inbound links and social signals. Full GEO impact — consistent citation across multiple AI platforms for priority topics — typically takes 3 to 6 months of sustained content and authority building.