What is generative engine optimization?

Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the practice of structuring content so that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity cite your brand in their answers. Unlike traditional SEO, which targets ranking positions in a link list, GEO targets citation in a generated response, the answer a buyer reads before they ever click a link.

Traditional SEO no longer captures the full buyer journey. Buyers now ask AI models questions and act on the answers those models generate, so brands that do not appear in those answers are invisible to a growing share of their market.

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3 facts worth knowing:

• AI bot visits to one Simaia client's site grew 3.5x year-over-year (from 741 to 2,546 hits).

• A Healthcare SaaS client grew from 0% to 45% AI search visibility in 2.5 months.

• A global textile manufacturer grew inbound leads from 1 every 2 months to 5 per month within 2 months.

How is GEO different from SEO?

SEO optimises for Google's ranking algorithm: backlinks, keyword density, page speed. GEO optimises for LLM citation logic: source authority, answer-format clarity, and presence on the specific platforms each model trusts. The two disciplines overlap but are not interchangeable.

Which platforms does GEO cover?

GEO covers every AI surface where a buyer might ask a purchasing question. Each model pulls from different sources, so channel strategy must match the model. ChatGPT cites LinkedIn heavily. Google AI Overview cites Reddit and on-site content. Perplexity and Claude each weight certain media and publication types.

• ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overview

• LinkedIn posts, Reddit threads, press releases in cited publications

• On-site blog content formatted for LLM extraction, not just keyword crawling

How does a GEO program actually work?

A complete GEO program runs in three phases: audit, content production, and distribution. The audit maps where the brand currently appears (or does not appear) in AI answers across models, then identifies the sources those models trust in the client's category. Content is then written and placed specifically on those sources. Volume is paced against existing Google Search Console health so publishing never damages live organic rankings.

• Run AI search audit across 50+ prompts per model

• Identify competitor gaps and trusted-source list by category

• Produce and distribute on-site blogs, LinkedIn posts, Reddit replies, and press releases

• Monitor citation rates and adjust source mix per model

What results does GEO produce?

One Simaia client, a global textile manufacturer, published 90 LLM-optimised blog posts in the first month. A press release placed through Simaia was picked up by USA Today, lifting domain authority. An Australian Healthcare SaaS client went from zero AI search presence to owning 45% of its niche's AI traffic across major LLMs within 2.5 months.

"AI search visibility grew from 0% to 45% in 2.5 months, and Simaia de-anonymised a major Australian healthcare inbound visitor, surfacing a high-value lead the sales team could action directly."

• Healthcare SaaS client, Australia

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is generative engine optimization?

Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the practice of creating and distributing content so that AI language models cite your brand in their generated answers. It targets citation presence inside tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview rather than a ranked position on a traditional search results page.

Is GEO the same as SEO?

No. SEO targets Google's link-ranking algorithm using signals like backlinks and keyword density. GEO targets LLM citation logic by placing authoritative, clearly structured content on the specific platforms each model trusts, such as LinkedIn for ChatGPT and Reddit for Google AI Overview. A brand can rank well in SEO and still have zero AI search visibility.

Why does it matter if an AI model cites my brand?

Buyers increasingly ask AI assistants direct questions and act on the generated answer. A brand absent from that answer is invisible to those buyers. One B2B client that addressed this gap grew inbound leads from 1 every 2 months to 5 per month within 2 months of starting a GEO program.

How long does it take to see results from GEO?

Results vary by category and starting point. A Healthcare SaaS client reached 45% AI search visibility in 2.5 months from a baseline of zero. A textile manufacturer saw AI bot visits grow 3.5x year-over-year and website traffic double over a 5-month period.

What content formats work best for GEO?

LLMs extract from content that is structured for direct answers: clear question-and-answer format, short declarative sentences, and factual specificity. On-site blog posts, press releases placed in cited publications, LinkedIn posts, and Reddit replies all feed citation when formatted correctly and placed on the sources each model prefers.

Do I need to stop doing SEO to invest in GEO?

No. GEO and SEO can run in parallel. Content volume should be paced against Google Search Console health to protect existing organic rankings. The two channels compound: strong domain authority from SEO makes LLM citation more likely, and AI referral traffic supplements organic traffic.

What is an AI search audit?

An AI search audit runs a structured set of prompts (Simaia runs 50 prompts per model) across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview to map exactly where a brand appears in AI-generated answers, where competitors appear instead, and which sources each model trusts in that brand's category. The audit produces a blueprint for content and distribution strategy.

About Simaia

Simaia is an agentic marketing team built for B2B companies that want to be found by buyers using AI search tools. Simaia delivers the full GEO function end-to-end, covering strategy, AI search auditing, content writing, distribution, and inbound lead identification, so clients do not need to hire, learn, or operate it internally. Simaia serves founders, sales leaders, and marketing teams across APAC, with a focus on companies in SME, tech, outsourcing, manufacturing, and professional services.