What is GEO?
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a subset of AEO that focuses on generative AI - the large language models that create original text responses. While AEO covers all AI answer systems, GEO targets how LLMs like GPT, Claude, and Gemini synthesize information and decide what to recommend.
What makes GEO specific
GEO addresses dynamics unique to generative AI:
- Training data influence - How your brand was represented in the data the model learned from
- RAG optimization - Ensuring your content surfaces when AI does real-time web retrieval
- Model-specific behavior - Different LLMs (ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini) recommend different brands for the same query
Relationship to AEO
GEO and AEO overlap significantly. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. GEO is the more technically specific term; AEO is the broader framework. The strategies are largely the same.