What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the term used to describe optimizations for AI search engines. GEO is a new approach in online marketing, focused on optimizing content for AI-driven search engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI overviews.

Instead of traditional search results, these systems present direct, AI-generated answers based on extensive language models and search queries. With GEO, you can make your website or web shop visible within these AI-generated results. This way, you are visible when users search for your products, services, or areas of expertise.

Why is GEO important?

The way your target audience searches online is changing rapidly. More and more users are relying on AI search engines such as ChatGPT and Google’s AI overviews to find immediate answers. Search results no longer consist of a traditional list of 10 links, but of comprehensive and contextual answers based on language models and relevance to the specific search query. This has major implications for how companies are visible online, especially for informational searches.

With GEO, you can respond to this change by optimizing your content so that AI systems recognize it and include it in their answers. This is important because:

  • Users expect faster and more direct answers to their questions.
  • Investing in GEO gives you a competitive edge.
  • There is a risk that your target audience’s search behavior will change and you may be less visible in new search environments.

GEO offers you the opportunity to not only be visible in AI search results, but also to become an authority within your market. It is the best way to ensure that your products, services, and area of expertise are at the top of the AI-driven future.

How does GEO work at SmartRanking?

At SmartRanking, we combine our experience with traditional SEO and our knowledge of AI search engines to create a future-oriented GEO strategy. Our approach is based on innovation and continuous learning from the optimizations we have implemented. Becoming findable in generative engines involves the following steps:

1

Analysis of your current situation

We start with a comprehensive analysis of your content, technical SEO, link profile, and visibility within AI search engines. How does an AI system understand your website? Which search queries can your products or services answer? This forms the basis for an effective GEO strategy.

2

Developing a customized strategy

Based on our analysis, we develop a strategy that aligns with your goals and target audience. We focus on:

  • Relevant, well-structured content that aligns with AI search queries.
  • Improving aspects such as loading speed, crawlability, and structured data, so that AI systems can understand your website optimally.
  • A strong link profile contributes to your authority and increases the chance that AI systems will include your content in their responses.
  • Conveying your authority and expertise on your website, so that you also end up in the training data of LLMs.
3

On-page GEO and authority building

Together with you, we create and optimize content that is not only valuable to your target audience, but also attractive and understandable to AI systems. We focus on four key areas:

  • Technical SEO: by using structured data, a logical website structure, and good loading times, we ensure that AI systems can crawl and interpret your content efficiently. Technical optimizations form the basis for making your content findable in AI search engines.
  • Content: for AI search engines, it is important that you have the right content in the right place. A simple piece of content is not enough. Because AI is extremely good at selecting the most relevant content, it is important to really dig deep and think about what your target audience wants to know.
  • E-E-A-T: We ensure that your content follows the principles of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. We do this by providing reliable and factual information and adopting a tone that inspires confidence in users and AI models alike.
  • Link building and authority: A strong, high-quality link profile not only helps with traditional search results, but also increases the chance that your content will be included in AI-generated answers. We provide relevant and authoritative links to your website, which strengthens your position as an expert in your field.
4

Continuous measurement and optimization

GEO is not a one-time action. We continuously monitor how your content performs within AI search engines and make adjustments where necessary. By using data and trends, we continue to refine and improve your strategy.

The challenges of GEO

Although Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) offers many opportunities, it also presents challenges. These challenges lie not only in the optimizations themselves, but also in understanding how AI search engines work. Concepts such as advanced language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation, and the selection criteria of AI systems are issues about which not everything is yet known. The main challenges are:

1. Understanding how AI systems interpret content

AI search engines work fundamentally differently from traditional search engines. They use language models (LLMs) to interpret content and generate answers. It is challenging to structure content in such a way that AI systems understand it and continue to use it in their results.

2. Rapidly changing landscape

The technology behind AI search engines is developing rapidly. What works today may be obsolete tomorrow. A proactive approach and continuous testing are necessary to remain visible.

3. Competing in a new playing field

GEO is a new field in which more and more companies will become active. It requires investment and a well-thought-out approach to gain and maintain a competitive edge.

4. Balance between traditional SEO and GEO

Although AI search engines are becoming increasingly influential, traditional search results remain relevant. A successful strategy must strengthen and make optimal use of both channels.

5. The measurability of GEO results

Measuring visibility in generative engines is challenging. Not every AI search engine currently offers statistics or tools to gain insight into visibility. This makes measurability one of the biggest obstacles within GEO, because results are a crucial part of optimizing your strategy.

How we tackle these challenges

At SmartRanking, we combine our knowledge of traditional SEO, technical SEO, and AI to effectively tackle these challenges. We continue to learn, monitor, and continuously adapt our working methods based on new insights. In addition, we develop in-house tooling and software that makes your visibility in generative engines transparent and measurable, so that your company stays ahead of the curve.

Our expertise and vision on GEO

At SmartRanking, we believe in innovation, collaboration, and building your online visibility in a sustainable way. We are the first agency in the Netherlands to offer Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). With our strategy and approach, we adapt to the latest developments in AI search engines. This makes us the ideal partner to help your company stay ahead in this digital revolution.

Why do companies choose SmartRanking?

  1. First mover in the field of GEO
    We are the first agency in the Netherlands to specialize in GEO. We closely follow developments in AI and SEO and immediately translate these into practical strategies for our clients.
  2. Expertise in SEO and AI
    With years of experience in traditional SEO and a complete focus on organic visibility, we are well equipped to develop a strategy that is compatible with AI search engines and normal SEO search results.
  3. In-house tooling and software
    We have developed our own tools and software to make your visibility in generative search engines measurable and transparent. This ensures that you are always up to date on your performance.
  4. Transparency and collaboration
    We work closely with you and provide insight into our working methods. You always know what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what results you can expect.
  5. Focus on results
    Our GEO strategies are aimed at increasing your visibility and authority. We ensure that your brand stands out in the new search environments, with a focus on growth and impact.

Ready to seize your AI advantage?

The world of search engine optimization is changing rapidly, and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) can help you prepare your business for the future. Whether you want to take your first steps or take your existing strategy to the next level, SmartRanking is here to help.

Schedule a no-obligation introductory meeting

Curious about what GEO can do for your company? During a no-obligation consultation, we will look at how your visibility within AI search engines can be increased and how we can help your company stay ahead of the game online. Feel free to contact us!

Contact us without obligation

Frequently asked questions about GEO

We understand that Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a new concept and that you may still have questions. That is why we have listed the most important questions for you.

1. What is the difference between SEO and GEO?

SEO focuses on optimizing websites for traditional search engines such as Google and Bing. GEO, on the other hand, focuses on AI-driven search engines such as ChatGPT and Google’s AI overviews. GEO is about optimizing content so that it is included in AI-generated answers.

2. How quickly will I see results with GEO?

The results of GEO depend on various factors, such as the complexity of your content and the current technical state of your website. Although some improvements are noticeable quickly, GEO is a long-term strategy that requires continuous monitoring and adjustment.

3. Is GEO suitable for every type of business?

GEO is suitable for companies in various sectors, from e-commerce to services. Any company that wants to be visible in AI search engines can benefit from a tailor-made GEO strategy.

4. Will traditional search engines remain important?

Although AI search engines are gaining ground, traditional search engines and traditional search results remain relevant. It is therefore important not to suddenly abandon traditional SEO. A successful online strategy combines traditional SEO and GEO to maximize visibility on both platforms.

5. How can I measure my results in AI search engines?

The measurability of GEO is still under development, as not all AI search engines currently offer advanced statistics. At SmartRanking, we are working on tools and methods to monitor and improve your visibility as effectively as possible.