GEO Fundamentals

Optimization for AI-powered search engines.

1. What is GEO?

GEO = Generative Engine Optimization

Goal

Platform

Be cited in AI responses

ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini

SEO vs GEO

Aspect

SEO

GEO

Goal

#1 ranking

AI citations

Platform

Google

AI engines

Metrics

Rankings, CTR

Citation rate

Focus

Keywords

Entities, data

2. AI Engine Landscape

Engine

Citation Style

Opportunity

Perplexity

Numbered [1][2]

Highest citation rate

ChatGPT

Inline/footnotes

Custom GPTs

Claude

Contextual

Long-form content

Gemini

Sources section

SEO crossover

3. RAG Retrieval Factors

How AI engines select content to cite:

Factor

Weight

Semantic relevance

~40%

Keyword match

~20%

Authority signals

~15%

Freshness

~10%

Source diversity

~15%

4. Content That Gets Cited

Element

Why It Works

Original statistics

Unique, citable data

Expert quotes

Authority transfer

Clear definitions

Easy to extract

Step-by-step guides

Actionable value

Comparison tables

Structured info

FAQ sections

Direct answers

5. GEO Content Checklist

Content Elements

• Question-based titles

• Summary/TL;DR at top

• Original data with sources

• Expert quotes (name, title)

• FAQ section (3-5 Q&A)

• Clear definitions

• "Last updated" timestamp

• Author with credentials

Technical Elements

• Article schema with dates

• Person schema for author

• FAQPage schema

• Fast loading (< 2.5s)

• Clean HTML structure

6. Entity Building

Action

Purpose

Google Knowledge Panel

Entity recognition

Wikipedia (if notable)

Authority source

Consistent info across web

Entity consolidation

Industry mentions

Authority signals

7. AI Crawler Access

Key AI User-Agents

Crawler

Engine

GPTBot

ChatGPT/OpenAI

Claude-Web

Claude

PerplexityBot

Perplexity

Googlebot

Gemini (shared)

Access Decision

Strategy

When

Allow all

Want AI citations

Block GPTBot

Don't want OpenAI training

Selective

Allow some, block others

8. Measurement

Metric

How to Track

AI citations

Manual monitoring

"According to [Brand]" mentions

Search in AI

Competitor citations

Compare share

AI-referred traffic

UTM parameters

9. Anti-Patterns

❌ Don't

✅ Do

Publish without dates

Add timestamps

Vague attributions

Name sources

Skip author info

Show credentials

Thin content

Comprehensive coverage

Remember: AI cites content that's clear, authoritative, and easy to extract. Be the best answer.

Script

Script

Purpose

Command

scripts/geo_checker.py

GEO audit (AI citation readiness)

python scripts/geo_checker.py <project_path>

When to Use

This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.

• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.

• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.