GEO vs Traditional SEO: What's the Difference?

What is GEO?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing content to be discovered, cited, and recommended by AI-powered search systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google's AI Overviews, and other large language model interfaces.

While traditional SEO focuses on ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), GEO focuses on becoming a trusted source that AI systems reference when generating answers.

Key Differences

The fundamental differences include:

• Output format: SEO targets blue links; GEO targets AI-generated responses
• Success metrics: SEO measures rankings and clicks; GEO measures citations and mentions
• Content structure: GEO requires even clearer, more factual content
• Authority signals: GEO relies heavily on being a primary source

Where They Overlap

Despite the differences, GEO and SEO share common ground:

• Quality content is essential for both
• Topical authority matters
• Technical accessibility is required
• E-E-A-T principles apply

Building a Dual Strategy

The best approach is optimizing for both. Create content that ranks in traditional search while also being structured for AI citation. This means clear factual statements, proper attribution, and comprehensive coverage of topics.