SEO vs GEO
SEO gets you ranked in search results. GEO gets you recommended by AI when someone asks for the best option. Here's how they differ — and how they work together.
SEO
Rank in search results
GEO
Get recommended by AI
| SEO | GEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you appear | Google search results | AI recommendations ('best options are…') |
| Primary goal | Rank your page | Be named as a recommended choice |
| What drives it | Relevance, authority, technical health | Brand entity strength, reputation, mentions |
| Buyer stage | Researching & comparing | Asking 'who's the best for X?' |
| Key technique | On-page & technical SEO, links | Entity building, genuine reviews, 'best of' presence |
| Risk to avoid | Thin content, spammy links | Fake reviews/mentions (against policy, backfires) |
Lead with SEO if…
- You need to be findable in the first place
- Customers compare options via search
- You want measurable ranking growth
Add GEO if…
- Buyers ask AI for recommendations in your space
- You have a genuine reputation worth amplifying
- You want to be the name AI suggests, not just a link
Our honest take
GEO is the recommendation layer above SEO and AEO. You can't be recommended by AI if you're invisible everywhere else — so we build SEO foundations, make you citable (AEO), then build the entity and reputation signals that get you recommended (GEO). Legitimately, never with fake reviews.
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Common questions
What is the difference between SEO and GEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) gets your website ranking in Google's results. GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) gets your business recommended by AI tools — when someone asks ChatGPT or Gemini 'what's the best option for X?', GEO works to get you named on that shortlist. SEO is about being found; GEO is about being recommended.
How is GEO different from AEO?
AEO gets you cited as a source inside an AI answer; GEO gets you recommended as a choice. AEO is about being quoted, GEO is about being named as 'the best'. They overlap and both build on SEO foundations.
Can GEO be done without fake reviews?
Yes — and it must be. GEO relies on genuine reputation, brand-entity strength and real mentions. Fake reviews violate platform policies and tend to backfire. We build the legitimate signals AI engines trust.
Do I need GEO yet?
If your buyers are starting to ask AI tools for recommendations in your category, yes — early movers gain an advantage while competition is low. If almost no one asks AI about your space yet, prioritise SEO and AEO first and layer GEO on as that behaviour grows.