Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing your website for AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini. Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking in Google search results, GEO focuses on being cited and recommended by AI assistants when users ask questions. Loamly provides GEO score tracking, AI visibility monitoring, and actionable recommendations to improve your AI discoverability.
Generative Engine
Optimization
GEO is the practice of optimizing your website for AI-powered search. When someone asks ChatGPT "What's the best CRM?", is your brand in the answer?
Why GEO Matters Now
The shift from search to AI is happening. Are you visible?
AI-sourced traffic converts at 27% vs 2.1% from traditional search. Higher intent users.
86.8% of commercial Google queries now show AI Overviews. The answer is above the fold.
60% of reputable sites block AI crawlers. Less competition if you allow access.
What is Generative Engine Optimization?
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the discipline of optimizing your website and content to be discovered, cited, and recommended by AI-powered search engines and conversational assistants.
When users ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Gemini for product recommendations, research, or answers, AI systems synthesize information from their training data and live web searches. GEO ensures your brand is included in those responses.
Unlike traditional SEO which optimizes for search engine rankings, GEO optimizes for AI citation. The goal isn't page one of Google—it's being the source AI trusts enough to recommend.
GEO vs Traditional SEO
Both matter, but they optimize for different outcomes.
| Dimension | Traditional SEO | GEO |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Rank on page 1 of Google | Be cited by AI assistants |
| Primary Signal | Backlinks, domain authority | E-E-A-T, structured data, semantic clarity |
| Success Metric | Ranking position, CTR | AI mention frequency, citation quality |
| User Behavior | Types query, clicks blue link | Asks question, gets synthesized answer |
| Content Format | Keyword-optimized pages | Factually dense, citation-worthy content |
| Technical Focus | Page speed, mobile, Core Web Vitals | Schema markup, AI crawler access, LLMS.txt |
| Conversion | 2.1% average | 27% average |
How We Calculate Your GEO Score
Your GEO score reflects how well-optimized your website is for AI discovery. Based on research from 10M+ queries and 1K+ audited sites.
E-E-A-T Signals
25%Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness. Author credentials and source citations.
Structured Data
20%Schema markup: Organization, Article, FAQ, HowTo schemas for AI parsing.
Technical Access
20%AI crawler access in robots.txt, LLMS.txt, server-side rendering.
Content Quality
15%Entity density, factual accuracy, semantic clarity for AI comprehension.
Mobile & UX
10%Responsive design, Core Web Vitals, accessibility standards.
Freshness
10%Content recency, regular updates, accurate information.
How to Improve Your GEO Score
Ranked by impact. Start with quick wins, then tackle strategic improvements.
Quick Wins1-4 hours
Convert existing FAQ content into JSON-LD FAQPage schema.
Check robots.txt allows GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot.
Add Person schema with credentials and social links.
First 40-60 words should directly answer the topic.
Strategic Improvements1-2 weeks
Build detailed comparison pages: Your Product vs Competitor.
Ensure critical content is in initial HTML, not JS-rendered.
Create interlinked pillar pages around core topics.
Tell AI systems how to access and cite your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GEO replacing SEO?
No. GEO complements SEO. Traditional SEO still matters for organic search rankings. GEO is an additional discipline focused specifically on AI-powered search and conversational assistants. Most companies will need both.
How long does GEO take to show results?
Quick wins (schema, robots.txt) can show visibility improvements within 2-4 weeks as AI crawlers reindex. Strategic improvements like content restructuring typically show measurable citation increases within 60-90 days.
Which AI platforms should I focus on?
Prioritize ChatGPT (largest user base), Google AI Overviews (integrated with search), and Perplexity (fastest growing). Claude and Gemini are secondary but growing. Loamly tracks all major platforms.
Do backlinks still matter for GEO?
Research shows backlinks have weak correlation with AI citations, unlike traditional SEO. Brand authority and E-E-A-T signals are much stronger predictors of AI visibility.
What is LLMS.txt?
LLMS.txt is an emerging standard (like robots.txt) that tells AI systems how to access and cite your content. It signals to AI crawlers which content to prioritize.
How does Loamly help with GEO?
Loamly tracks your AI visibility across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini. We calculate your GEO score, monitor brand mentions in AI responses, identify what AI says about you vs competitors, and provide actionable recommendations.
Check Your GEO Score
Enter your domain and we'll analyze how ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini perceive your brand. Free, no signup required.