What methods for optimization on AI searches (GEO) are there and how do they work for me?

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

How to Optimize for AI Search and LLMs

GEO Methods & Optimization Strategies

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) helps your brand show up in AI-generated answers. Below are key methods and strategies to improve your visibility across AI search engines and LLMs:

1. Owned Content: Do Content Marketing Right

Create high-quality, useful content that answers real questions. Focus on clarity, topical relevance, and structured formats that AI can easily summarize.

2. SEO Is Still Relevant!

Search engines still index and rank websites. Traditional SEO tactics—titles, headings, meta tags, site speed—remain foundational.

3. Use Schema.org

Implement structured data on your site. Schema markup helps AI and search engines understand your content type (e.g., articles, products, reviews).

4. What About JSON-LD?

Yes, use it! JSON-LD is the recommended format for implementing Schema.org markup. It’s easier to manage and preferred by Google.

5. Public Relations: Associate Your Brand with the Right Topics

Earn media mentions on authoritative websites related to your niche. AI engines favor credible third-party content.

6. Include Quotes and Statistics

AI loves citing factual and quotable content. Make your content more “cite-worthy” by including original data and expert opinions.

7. Technical GEO

Make sure your content is crawlable by LLM bots. Review your robots.txt and include references in your sitemap. Use meta tags to allow indexing.

8. Be Listed on Wikipedia

If possible, get your brand or product listed on Wikipedia. Many AI tools use Wikipedia and Wikidata as trusted sources.

9. Leverage News/Media Partners of LLMs

Get featured on platforms frequently used by LLMs for citations (e.g., Reuters, TechCrunch, or industry-specific publications).

10. Research Entities Instead of Keywords

LLMs don’t just rely on keywords—they understand concepts (entities). Structure your content around entities like people, brands, topics, and products.

11. Be on Reddit & Support UGC

Engage in relevant subreddits. AI engines often pull from Reddit and other user-generated content sources like Quora or forums.

12. Feedback to LLMs Matters

Use in-app feedback features in tools like ChatGPT or Google AI Overviews to influence how your brand is represented over time.

13. Optimize for Auto-Completion Prompts

LLMs often rely on what users start typing. Optimize your content titles and copy to align with popular or emerging prompts.

14. Black Hat GEO (Don’t use)

Tricks like keyword stuffing or spammy mentions might work short-term—but they risk being flagged or penalized. Focus on sustainable methods.