Generative search engines typically retrieve information from multiple sources (a key part of optimizing for AI search), then use an LLM to synthesize a single answer (often with citations/links). GEO improves the odds your content is selected and referenced in that flow.
How Generative Engine Optimization works
- Your page is discoverable (crawlable, indexable, accessible).
- The AI system retrieves relevant passages and evaluates usefulness/trust.
- The system generates an answer and may cite/link supporting pages (e.g., AI Overviews includes links as a jumping-off point).
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What to optimize for (practical GEO signals)
- Direct answers near the top (definitions, steps, comparisons).
- Strong structure (clear H2/H3s, short paragraphs, lists).
- Citable evidence (stats, quotes, references) — shown to improve visibility in GEO research.
- Entity clarity (brand/product names, locations, specs, “what it is / who it’s for”).
- Consistency across the web (same positioning and facts across authoritative sources).
What content gets cited most in AI answers?
Pages with clear structure and specific, verifiable details (definitions, steps, comparisons, stats) tend to be easier to cite.
How do you measure GEO performance?
Track AI mentions/citations, query coverage, and changes over time (some platforms provide monitoring tooling).
