GEO Fundamentals
Optimization for AI-powered search engines.
1. What is GEO?
GEO = Generative Engine Optimization
Goal
Platform
Be cited in AI responses
ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini
SEO vs GEO
Aspect
SEO
GEO
Goal
#1 ranking
AI citations
Platform
Google
AI engines
Metrics
Rankings, CTR
Citation rate
Focus
Keywords
Entities, data
2. AI Engine Landscape
Engine
Citation Style
Opportunity
Perplexity
Numbered [1][2]
Highest citation rate
ChatGPT
Inline/footnotes
Custom GPTs
Claude
Contextual
Long-form content
Gemini
Sources section
SEO crossover
3. RAG Retrieval Factors
How AI engines select content to cite:
Factor
Weight
Semantic relevance
~40%
Keyword match
~20%
Authority signals
~15%
Freshness
~10%
Source diversity
~15%
4. Content That Gets Cited
Element
Why It Works
Original statistics
Unique, citable data
Expert quotes
Authority transfer
Clear definitions
Easy to extract
Step-by-step guides
Actionable value
Comparison tables
Structured info
FAQ sections
Direct answers
5. GEO Content Checklist
Content Elements
- Question-based titles
- Summary/TL;DR at top
- Original data with sources
- Expert quotes (name, title)
- FAQ section (3-5 Q&A)
- Clear definitions
- "Last updated" timestamp
- Author with credentials
Technical Elements
- Article schema with dates
- Person schema for author
- FAQPage schema
- Fast loading (< 2.5s)
- Clean HTML structure
6. Entity Building
Action
Purpose
Google Knowledge Panel
Entity recognition
Wikipedia (if notable)
Authority source
Consistent info across web
Entity consolidation
Industry mentions
Authority signals
7. AI Crawler Access
Key AI User-Agents
Crawler
Engine
GPTBot
ChatGPT/OpenAI
Claude-Web
Claude
PerplexityBot
Perplexity
Googlebot
Gemini (shared)
Access Decision
Strategy
When
Allow all
Want AI citations
Block GPTBot
Don't want OpenAI training
Selective
Allow some, block others
8. Measurement
Metric
How to Track
AI citations
Manual monitoring
"According to [Brand]" mentions
Search in AI
Competitor citations
Compare share
AI-referred traffic
UTM parameters
9. Anti-Patterns
❌ Don't
✅ Do
Publish without dates
Add timestamps
Vague attributions
Name sources
Skip author info
Show credentials
Thin content
Comprehensive coverage
Remember: AI cites content that's clear, authoritative, and easy to extract. Be the best answer.
Script
Script
Purpose
Command
scripts/geo_checker.py
GEO audit (AI citation readiness)
python scripts/geo_checker.py <project_path>