What generative engine optimization means.
A generative engine is an AI tool that writes an answer instead of listing links: ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Gemini and others.
Generative engine optimization is the work of making your business appear, accurately, in those answers. The term GEO came out of research on how content gets cited by these tools, and it is now used as another name for much of what people call AEO.
GEO, AEO and SEO.
SEO is about ranking pages in search results. AEO, answer engine optimization, is about being the name in a direct answer. GEO is the same idea applied to generative AI tools.
For a local business, you do not need three plans. One body of work covers all three: clear pages, structured data, consistent business details and real reviews and mentions. We treat it that way.
What actually helps.
Nobody outside the AI companies knows the full recipe, and the tools change often. We would not trust a promise of guaranteed placement.
What has held up across tests is simple. Be specific about what you do and where. Mark it up so machines read it the same way people do. Keep your details identical everywhere. Earn real reviews. Answer your customers' questions on your own pages in plain language.
How to check where you stand.
Ask the assistants the questions your customers ask and write down who is named, and in what words. Repeat monthly. That is the simplest measure, and it shows direction even when exact numbers are not available.
Our free AI Visibility Report does this for your business in about ninety seconds.
If you want a second opinion.
If you want help, read about our answer engine optimization service, or book a call and we will tell you honestly whether it is worth it for your business.
Written by Matthew Montez, founder of The MBC Group in Denver. Matt has run the agency since 2018 and is the marketing director on every account. Questions about your own marketing? Book a call.