Most everyone agrees that by leveraging SEO, you can make your website more visible to people searching for products or services you offer. As technology changes and improves, your SEO approach needs to as well.
Enter the AI age, and with it comes a new way to create and optimize content
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Through the use of AI, the way we find information is changing a lot. AI-powered search engines like SearchGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google’s Search Generative Experience are completely changing the way users find online information. Rather the relying on traditional SEO best practices, these AI engines generate responses compiled from multiple website chosen on the basis of relevant content.
As more and more people use AI to search for information, it’s now even more important to learn how to optimize your content within the AI engines.
We don’t need to forget all the SEO things you’ve learned over the years. GEO builds on the tactical approach to SEO.
What is GEO?
GEO is the acronym for ‘Generative Engine Optimization‘. So just as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps websites show up on Google, Bing & other search engines, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is all about making sure your website and brand are more easily positioned within the AI engines, such as SearchGPT, Microsoft Copilot & others. Instead of just Google ranking through SEO best practices, GEO is about getting your information used by AI engine to provide answers to people’s questions.
Why is GEO So Important Now?
More and more people are beginning to use AI to more quickly obtain the answers to their questions rather than navigating through website links that search engines have provided to them. The AI engines read information from websites and then present a complete answer for users.
That’s why GEO is becoming just as important as SEO. Brands need to make sure their websites are now optimized for search engines (SEO) and AI engines (GEO), so your brand may now be mentioned and prominently positioned when someone asks the AI engine a pertinent & related question.
Things You Can Do Now:
Tactical Steps to Generative Engine Optimization
In the ever-changing world of new AI technologies, here are some things you can do to help get your website & brand ready.
SEO Elements That Still Matter for GEO
a. Keyword Optimization
- Relevance & Search Intent: Use keywords that accurately reflect what users are searching for. This ensures both search engines and generative engines understand your content.
- Long-Tail & Semantic Keywords: Incorporate specific phrases and related terms to capture a wider range of queries and improve contextual understanding.
b. Site Structure
- Clear Navigation: Organize content logically with clear menus and internal links, making it easier for both search and generative engines to index your site.
- URL Structure: Use clean and descriptive URLs that reflect the content hierarchy and are easy to read.
c. Backlinks
- Quality Over Quantity: Focus on acquiring backlinks from reputable and authoritative websites to boost your site’s credibility and authority.
- Diverse Sources: Ensure backlinks come from a variety of sources to demonstrate trustworthiness and relevance across different platforms.
d. Page Headers and Meta Descriptions
- Optimized Headers (H1, H2, etc.): Use descriptive and keyword-rich headers to improve readability and SEO.
- Compelling Meta Descriptions: Write clear and engaging meta descriptions that summarize the content and include target keywords.
e. Technical SEO
- Page Speed: Ensure fast loading times (<500ms) to enhance user experience and reduce bounce rates.
- Mobile Optimization: Make sure your website is responsive and functions well on all devices.
- XML Sitemap & Robots.txt: Maintain an updated sitemap and properly configured robots.txt to guide search engines in crawling your site.
New Steps for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
a. Fine-Tune Text Strings
- Strategic Phrases: Incorporate carefully selected phrases and keywords that align with common user prompts to improve AI response accuracy.
- Inline Citations: Add references within your content to provide additional context and credibility for generative engines.
b. Enhance Content Depth
- Concise Introductions: Start with clear and brief introductions that outline the main points, making it easier for AI to generate summaries.
- Unique Insights: Provide original perspectives and data to distinguish your content from competitors.
c. Structured Data & Schema Markup
- Implement Schema: Use structured data to help generative engines understand the context and relationships within your content.
- Author Assignments: Clearly define authors and create author pages to add credibility and context.
d. Multimedia Integration
- Visual Content: Incorporate images, videos, and infographics to enrich content and provide more context for AI.
- Voice Search Optimization: Ensure content is optimized for voice queries by using natural language and conversational tones.
e. Content Recency and Freshness
- Regular Updates: Frequently update existing content with current information and dates to maintain relevance.
- Timely Topics: Address trending subjects and emerging topics to stay ahead in generative search results.
f. Engage in Online Communities
- Participate in Forums: Join and contribute to discussions on platforms like Reddit and Quora to increase brand visibility and authority.
- Encourage User Interaction: Motivate users to leave reviews, comments, and participate in discussions to enhance online reputation.
g. Digital PR and Brand Authority
- Press Releases: Distribute press releases to announce new products, services, or milestones to gain media coverage and backlinks.
- Industry Events: Participate in or sponsor industry events to increase brand recognition and authority.
h. Create a Custom GPT for Your Brand
- Tailored AI Models: Develop a custom generative AI model that understands and represents your brand’s voice and values for more accurate responses.
i. Monitor and Analyze Competition
- Competitive Analysis: Regularly review how competitors are optimizing for GEO and adapt strategies to maintain a competitive edge.
- Use Tools Like SEMrush: Leverage AI-focused tools to gain insights into your GEO performance and identify areas for improvement.
j. Optimize for Bing and Microsoft CoPilot
- Bing Webmaster Tools: Submit your XML sitemap and ensure all pages are properly indexed on Bing.
- Bing Places: Maintain an updated Bing Places profile to enhance visibility on Bing’s search results.
Contact Us Today to Start Your GEO Journey!
Contact BowenDigital.com today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can help develop a tailored SEO/GEO approach to grow your business.