Have you been noticing the AI overview in Google Searches?

So you’ve finally gotten the hang of SEO — you know how to sprinkle in keywords, write a meta description, and maybe even track your rankings on Google.

Just when you thought you were keeping up… BAM. In walks a new acronym with main character energy: GEO — short for Generative Engine Optimization.

Let me guess:

You’re thinking, “Wait, what the hell is GEO? Is it the same thing with a fancier name? Do I need to do this now too?”

Let’s break it all down. No fluff, no jargon, just the real deal from someone who lives and breathes this stuff (hi 👋).

First Off: What Is Generative Engine Optimization?

Generative Engine Optimization — aka GEO — is the practice of optimizing your content so it shows up in AI-generated responses, not just traditional search engine results.

If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT something like:

• “What’s the best website builder for a small business?”
• “Give me a list of Squarespace designers in Portland.”
• “How do I start a Shopify store?”

…that answer didn’t come from nowhere.

AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Bing Copilot are scanning content across the web and using it to generate answers.

And if you want your brand to show up in those answers (either as a source or as a suggested business), you need to think differently about how you write, format, and publish your content.

🔎 SEO vs GEO — What’s the Difference

Here’s a super simple breakdown of how the two stack up:

Feature	SEO (Search Engine Optimization)	GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Platform	Google, Bing, etc.	ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, etc.
Goal	Rank high in search results	Be cited or referenced in AI responses
Based on	Keywords, backlinks, user behavior	Structured info, clarity, citations, context
Audience	People scanning SERPs	People getting instant AI summaries
Content style	Clickworthy, SEO-rich blogs	Clean, well-structured, citation-friendly content

SEO is still very much alive (don’t worry), but GEO is here — and it’s growing fast.

💡 Why Should Small Business Owners Actually Care About GEO?

Okay, great — we’ve defined it. But let’s be real: if you’re a service provider, brand designer, eComm founder, or creative entrepreneur… why does this matter to you?

Here’s the thing:

People aren’t just Googling anymore. They’re asking AI tools for advice, recommendations, and ideas. Instead of scanning through 10 blog posts, they’re reading a single answer pulled from multiple sources.

Think about how powerful that is.

If AI tools are becoming the new gatekeepers of information, then your content has to be written in a way that makes those tools recognize, trust, and use it.

Examples:

• Instead of ranking on page 1 of Google, your blog post gets pulled into a ChatGPT response as a cited source.
• Instead of someone finding your site through Pinterest or search, they discover your brand name in an AI-generated list of “top Squarespace designers.”
• Instead of shouting into the void on social, your super clear tutorial gets used to teach hundreds of people in an AI summary.

That’s visibility on autopilot.

🧠 How to Start Optimizing for GEO

The good news? If you’re already creating helpful content, you’re halfway there. GEO just requires you to be more intentional about how you format and structure it.

Here’s how to start:

1. Answer Specific Questions Clearly

AI tools love content that gets to the point. Think FAQ-style posts, how-to guides, or comparison articles like:

• “Squarespace vs Shopify: Which Is Better for Small Businesses?”
• “How to Build a Website in a Day (Yes, It’s Possible)”
• “What Should Be Included on a Small Business Homepage?”

Make sure you’re addressing specific, high-intent questions people are likely to ask AI tools — and answering them in a way that makes sense even when pulled out of context.

2. Use Structure and Formatting Like a Pro

The way your content is laid out matters — a lot. Generative tools scan for things like:

• Headings (H1s, H2s, H3s)
• Bullet points and numbered lists
• Tables or comparison charts
• Definitions and bolded phrases
• Use Schema Markup

TL;DR: Write content that’s skimmable and organized. If your formatting is messy, AI tools are less likely to “understand” what your content is saying.

3. Build Authority (AKA Be Worth Quoting)

AI tools prioritize info that comes from trustworthy sources. That means:

• Publish under your real name or brand
• Link to credible sites and cite your sources
• Make sure your website is up-to-date and well-structured
• Try to get featured, linked, or quoted on other websites

This doesn’t mean you need to become a massive thought leader overnight — but you do want to look legit when AI crawlers come knocking.

4. Stay Evergreen + Brand-Forward

GEO favors content that stays relevant over time and has a consistent brand voice. You want your name, brand, and site to show up wherever it makes sense — and to be memorable when it does.

That means:

• Keep your voice consistent across blog posts
• Answer FAQs in your own words (not just generic info)
• Use branded phrases or perspectives so people (and AI) associate content with you

🧬 Is SEO Dead? (Nope. But It’s Evolving.)

Let’s be clear — SEO still matters. People are still Googling. Google is still the #1 driver of web traffic in most industries.

But relying only on Google is like building your entire business on Instagram. One algorithm shift and… yikes.

The smartest move right now?

→ Create content that works both for traditional search engines and generative tools.

Think of it this way:

SEO = Ranking on search results

GEO = Being included in AI-generated answers

If you’re only doing one, you’re missing a huge chunk of your potential audience.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic. Just Adapt.

You don’t have to be an AI expert or a tech wizard to show up in generative search.

You just need to:

✅ Write helpful, specific content

✅ Organize it clearly

✅ Publish consistently

✅ Make sure your brand is recognizable and trustworthy

If you’re already blogging, creating long-form posts, or building out educational content for your audience — you’re closer than you think. GEO is just the next layer of visibility.

And if you’re not sure where to start?

👉 I help small business owners (like you!) implement the best SEO + GEO-friendly strategies that actually show up — whether it’s on Google or ChatGPT.

Let’s make sure your website doesn’t just exist — it gets seen.

Reach out here to talk about how you can level up your website

❓Frequently Asked Questions