Whispers to the Machine: Unlocking Generative Engine Optimization

The way we used to find information needed keep evolving. From taking all the way from libraries through books to as simple as just googling. Then came another way of info discovering, through social medias like Instagram, Reddit and TikTok. Now another frontier is here, a whole new AI-driven search, powered by generative engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Copilot. Links no longer just the trophies to fight for by big brands. This is how machine been whispered on which to show and this is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

What is Generative Engine Optimization?

As the evolution of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), GEO is the art of making your content visible and citable by AI itself. While SEO focuses on keywords, backlinks and positions, GEO focuses on the info itself that been feed to generative AI engine, it consume and cite it out when prompt. Giving the answer itself straightaway along with summary, additional info, or even the sources itself if reliable.

Why GEO Matters Now

• Quick And Informative - As the rise of AI, more and more people asking on AI rather than going for the websites itself. Brands just need to adapt on this, making the whole content machine-friendly.

• AI Did Summaries Too - While info should be sometimes constructed to be a quick read rather than taking whole day to get what people really wanted.

• Credibility Is Currency. Generative engines prefer authoritative, structured, and well-cited sources. GEO ensures your brand becomes one of those trusted voices.

The Key Principles of GEO

• Structure Over Style - Generative engines like to make clarification on the info. Summaries or make it easier to read are the way to go

• Authority Through Citations - Use statistics, expert quotes, and credible references. AI systems are more likely to cite sources that appear authoritative and trustworthy.

• Machine Signals - Implement AI-friendly metadata (like llms.txt) and structured data. This is the equivalent of raising your hand to the AI and saying, “Pick me.”

• Speed and Clean Code - Well-written and clean codes are not just for Google, it helps AI to be able to crawl your sites more efficiently.

• Conversation Readiness - Write in a way that mirrors conversational answers. Instead of burying insights in paragraphs, pull them up into easily quotable snippets.

GEO and SEO, Spot The Differences!

Same same but different, SEO and GEO sharing the same target which is visibility, what separate them just different tactics. Let's first go for SEO where, we're more focusing on keywords but in GEO, it's more into context and the exact meaning. By having been mentioned by AI when been asked means you're gaining credibility which is pretty much the same like gaining backlinks from reputable sites in SEO. Being ranked high in SERP is what on SEO's book as in GEO, it's more into how AI been citing "AI signals" and machine directives.

GEO in Action

Let's have an example where you're running an events website of everything that's happening around Kuala Lumpur and of course you want it to be featured on all major AI engines like ChatGpt, Perplexity, Grok and even DeepSeek. Let's go on how GEO could make difference for you:

• Structured formatting : Having a clear headings like "Top Rooftop Bars around KL", "Things to do This Coming Weekend", then throw in some bullet points, nice and sweet narrative or quotes. Last but not least, a summary for AI easier to digest everything.

• Citations and credibility: Having a well-crafted quotes with high accuracy help, just like saying "KL Marathon tickets sold out within an hour!". This helping AI to recognize the content well.

• Domain-specific phrasing and metadata: You might include an llms.txt file or AI-specific metadata to guide generative models. GEO encourages providing signals that let LLMs rank your page higher in their internal models, and yes, even without traditional backlinks.

Where GEO Will Be Heading?

It goes along with the rise of AI. Most brands will start catching up with this (or already were). Here's few speculations of what the future of GEO will be:

• New metrics will emerge : Instead of tracking keywords, we will be tracking how many times AI citation share.

• Authority will be different : While soon will be getting mentioned by ChatGPT more valuable than appearing on Google front-page.

• AI visibility tools will rise: Popular tools like Semrush or Ahref may integrating AI visibility as one of their features.

Check out another post about ASO which into optimizing visibilities on app stores.