SEO vs. GEO: Making Your Website AI-Friendly

Remember when SEO felt like this mysterious dark art that only the chosen few could master? When you'd stuff keywords into every paragraph and hope Google noticed you existed? Yeah, those days are officially over.

Here's what's happening: people aren’t just Googling anymore. They're asking ChatGPT where to find the best local photographer. They're using Perplexity to research contractors who specialize in older homes. They're literally having conversations with AI about where to spend their money. It’s time to elevate your visibility in those conversations.

Enter GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)

GEO is a new addition to the SEO world and is quickly becoming a buzz word in the industry. If you haven't heard it before, you'll surely start to hear it now. It's also known as LLM (Large Language Model) SEO, which means the same thing but is not quite as buzzy.

Rather than obsessing over keyword rankings like it’s 2018, smart organizations are figuring out how to show up when AI recommends solutions. This isn't about tricking the algorithm. It's about becoming legitimately recommendable.

When you ask ChatGPT a question like where to get tacos nearby, what makes one taqueria show up in the response instead of another? It’s not just keywords. It’s not just proximity. It’s about having a credible and consistent digital presence that clearly communicates your expertise in your field.  

This shift is happening fast. I've been studying up on SEO evolution and AI search behavior to stay ahead of the changes, and can recommend this informative article for a deep dive on the subject (if you're more of a video learner, this vidcast also provides a closer look).

What Matters Now

Real reviews that sound like real humans wrote them. AI tools are good at sniffing out fake reviews. Authentic customer stories are more valuable than ever. Encourage your community to share great experiences in their own words, asking questions like: What problem did we solve? What was memorable? Why would they recommend you?

Answering the questions people are really asking. Instead of trying to rank for “best pizza spot in Portland,” think like a person: “Where can I get amazing pizza that’s also good for kids?,” or “Is there a late-night pizza spot that delivers to SE Portland?” These are the kinds of conversational prompts people give AI tools, and the ones AI trains on. If your content answers them naturally, you’re in the game.

Being helpful, not promotional. AI systems favor content that genuinely helps people. Your blog post about "5 Signs Your HVAC System Needs Attention" is way more valuable than "Why Choose ABC Heating Services." Guess which one gets recommended? GEO is about approaching content with a mindset of abundance, rather than being fearful of releasing what could be competitive information. The more value you give, the more you get back (this mindset shift is actually a whole other blog post, but you get the idea).

Local context matters more now than ever. AI is getting better at geography. It knows the difference between downtown Portland and Sellwood. It even knows where Mt. Tabor is (sort of).

So be specific. Mention your neighborhood. Talk about your actual surroundings. Reference local landmarks. That kind of context helps AI know exactly where you are and who you serve.

SEO Still Does Matter

If you’ve already done the SEO work of optimizing your site, improving loading speed, and making things mobile-friendly – awesome. Keep it up. That stuff still matters. SEO is not going away, it’s just evolving.

Traditional SEO taught us to optimize for search engines. GEO is about being useful to humans in a way that makes AI want to share your stuff as well. It’s a shift in perspective. So remember to:

• Write like a real person.

• Be the obvious answer to real questions.

• Build trust, not just traffic.

The Take-Away

Instead of writing for keywords, you're writing to be the obvious answer to real questions. Instead of optimizing for rankings, you're optimizing for trustworthiness. And that sounds much more sustainable than relying on SEO gimmicks, don't you think?

Ready to get found by the right people at the right time? Let's build a strategy that works in the age of AI. Get in touch – I'd love to help you become the obvious choice in your market.