What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

Search has changed.

Today, when people ask questions in AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, or Perplexity, they’re not seeing a list of links—they're getting direct answers. Often, without ever clicking to your website.

This shift is huge—and it’s why Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is now essential.

What is GEO?

GEO is the practice of optimizing your content and brand presence to appear in AI-generated answers across major AI search engines.

Think: SEO, but for AI.

Why is GEO important?

1. AI is replacing traditional search
   Users are skipping classic search engines and turning to AI for answers. If your brand isn’t mentioned there, you're invisible.
   
   
2. No clicks = no traffic
   AI tools often give complete answers—no need to click. GEO helps ensure your brand is part of the answer, not left out of it.
   
   
3. New gatekeepers, new rules
   AI search engines pull content differently. You need to understand how your brand appears in ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and others—and how to influence that.
   
   
4. Stay ahead of the competition
   Most companies are still focused on classic SEO. GEO gives you a head start in owning this new search frontier.

TL;DR

GEO helps your brand get discovered in AI answers—where real people are now searching.

If you want to stay relevant and competitive, it’s time to optimize not just for Google...
 but for Generative Engines.

If you want to learn more about GEO, read our 70-pages guide which can be downloaded in your OtterlyAI dashboard or on this page: https://otterly.ai/geo-guide