GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
GEO is structuring content and schema so a brand is part of what generative AI draws on when composing an answer; in practice it is used almost interchangeably with AEO.
Is it different from AEO?
In practice they're used interchangeably. If you insist on a distinction, AEO focuses on being cited in the output and GEO on being a source consulted during generation. The work is effectively identical.
What comes first?
Create definitional content, attach structured data, then confirm AI crawlers can reach it. Files like llms.txt, which summarize the site's structure for AI, belong in this same category of work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do we need to rewrite our content for GEO?
Usually not. Adding definition sentences, FAQs, and schema to existing content covers most of it; a full rewrite isn't the premise.
Q. Should robots.txt explicitly allow AI crawlers?
A standard allow-all already permits them. Listing them explicitly signals intent more than it grants additional access.