Generative Engine Optimization · Local businesses
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): getting cited by ChatGPT, Gemini and Google's AI
When a customer asks an AI tool who to call, it writes an answer on the spot and names a few businesses. GEO is the work of making sure yours is one of them.
See what AI says about youWhat is GEO?
GEO stands for generative engine optimization. “Generative” tools write their own answers instead of showing a list of links: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, and Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode. The name comes from a 2023 research paper, and it's now common in marketing.
Being cited means the AI names your business or links to your site as a source in its answer. For a local business, that's the new version of showing up on page one.
Where AI answers come from
Each tool works a little differently. In plain English:
ChatGPT
ChatGPT's search looks things up on the web and shows its sources. For local questions it pulls from websites, listings and reviews, so clear facts on your site and consistent listings matter.
Google AI Overviews and AI Mode
AI Overviews are the AI-written summaries at the top of many Google searches. AI Mode is Google's chat-style search. Both draw on Google's own index, and local answers often show businesses from Google Maps, so a complete Google Business Profile matters.
Gemini
Google's AI assistant. It draws on Google Search and Google Maps information, so the same Google basics apply.
Perplexity
Searches the web live and cites its sources with links. Being on the pages it cites, like your site, directories, and local lists and articles, is what gets you mentioned.
Microsoft Copilot
Built on Bing. A site Bing hasn't indexed, or a missing Bing Places listing, makes you easy to leave out.
Siri and Apple Maps
For “near me” questions Siri leans on Apple Maps listings, which come from Apple Business Connect and data partners.
This is our plain-English summary as of October 2026, not an official description. These companies change how their tools work often.
What GEO work looks like for a local business
- Be quotable. Short, plain sentences on your site that answer real questions: services, cities, hours, pricing approach, license and insurance.
- Be consistent. The same business name, address and phone everywhere AI tools look.
- Be where they look. Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Yelp and the directories and local pages that AI answers cite.
- Let AI crawlers in. A robots.txt that allows GPTBot, OAI-SearchBot, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot and others to read your site.
- Label your facts. Structured data (schema markup) so machines read your details correctly.
- Stay fresh. Ping Bing and IndexNow when pages change, and keep your profile current.
GEO, AEO, AI SEO: which is it?
All three describe the same goal: get named by AI. AEO is the older term, GEO is the newer one, and AI SEO is the catch-all. The glossary explains each in one paragraph.
What we won't promise
No one can guarantee what ChatGPT or any AI assistant will say. Answers change daily and differ from person to person. Anyone promising you'll be "#1 in ChatGPT" is guessing. We improve the information AI tools read about you, and we show you every month what they actually say.
GEO questions
What is GEO in simple terms?
GEO, generative engine optimization, is making your business show up, and be cited, in answers that AI tools write on the spot: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot and Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode.
How is GEO different from AEO?
Barely. AEO (answer engine optimization) is the older term and covers voice assistants and featured snippets too. GEO is the newer term for AI-written answers. Some people say AI SEO or LLM optimization for the same thing. For a local business the work is the same.
How do I get my business cited by ChatGPT?
Make your facts easy to find and easy to trust: a site that says plainly what you do and where, structured data, a complete Google Business Profile, matching listings, real reviews, and a site AI crawlers are allowed to read. Even then, nobody can guarantee ChatGPT's answer.
Do Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode use my Google Business Profile?
Google hasn't published exactly how its AI picks local businesses. Local AI answers often show businesses straight from Google Maps, though, so a complete, accurate Google Business Profile is one of the most important things to get right.
Can you guarantee my business will be cited?
No. AI answers change daily and differ from person to person. We improve what these tools read about you and send you monthly screenshots of what they actually say.
More: What is AEO? · What is GEO? · AI search glossary · AEO & GEO services in Detroit
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