/geo

name: generative-engine-optimization
description: When the user wants to optimize for AI search visibility (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, AI Overviews). Also use when the user mentions "GEO," "AEO," "generative engine optimization," "AI search visibility," "LLM optimization," "GitHub GEO," "Grokipedia," "optimize for ChatGPT," "AI Overviews," "Bing Copilot," "Yandex AI," "Perplexity optimization," "GEO strategy," or "AI search optimization." For third-party publishing strategy (which platforms to use), use parasite-seo. For GitHub repos, README, and Awesome lists, use github. For Medium.com only, use medium-posts. For Grokipedia edits, use grokipedia-recommendations. For traditional Google SERP strategy, use seo-strategy.
metadata:
  version: 1.4.0

Strategies: GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)

Guides GEO/AEO strategy for AI search visibility. GEO optimizes content for ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and AI search summaries (Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, Yandex Search with AI)—getting cited in AI-generated answers rather than ranking in traditional SERPs. See **serp-features** for AI search as SERP features; **featured-snippet** for snippet optimization that overlaps with AI Overviews.

**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1-2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

Scope

• **GEO** = Generative Engine Optimization
• **AEO** = Answer Engine Optimization
• **LLMO** = Large Language Model Optimization
• **AIO** = Artificial Intelligence Optimization

All refer to the same goal: visibility in AI assistant responses.

GEO vs. SEO

| Dimension | SEO | GEO | |-----------|-----|-----| | **Goal** | Rankings in search results | Citations in AI answers | | **User path** | Click → visit → convert | Answer in-place; may not visit | | **Content** | Full page optimization | Clear, citable paragraphs | | **Metrics** | Clicks, traffic | Citations, brand mentions | | **Platforms** | Google, Bing, Yandex (organic) | AI Overviews, Copilot, Yandex AI, ChatGPT, Perplexity |

**Both matter**: Create content that ranks and gets cited. AI search summaries (AI Overviews, Copilot, Yandex AI) are **SERP features**—see **serp-features**. When SERP features cause **zero-click** (user gets answer without clicking), citation becomes the primary value; optimize for being cited, not just ranked.

AI Search Platforms (SERP Features + Standalone)

| Platform | Type | Source Selection | Optimization Focus | |----------|------|------------------|---------------------| | **Google AI Overviews** | SERP feature | Top 10–12 organic; Gemini; favors older domains (49% over 15 yrs) | Traditional SEO; structured data; citable blocks | | **Bing Copilot Search** | SERP feature | Bing index; GPT-4; 9.81% domain overlap with Google; favors younger domains (18.85%); LinkedIn signals for B2B | Bing optimization; LinkedIn presence; structured content | | **Yandex Search with AI / Neuro** | SERP feature | Real-time Yandex search; YandexGPT; Russia-focused | Yandex indexing; Russian content; cited sources | | **Perplexity** | Standalone | 200B+ URL index; independent crawl; favors recency, semantic alignment | Content freshness; semantic markup; mid-tier site opportunity | | **ChatGPT (web search)** | Standalone | GPTbot; high-authority, frequently updated, LLM-friendly; favors older domains (45.8%) | Backlinks; structured data; authority signals |

**Citation behavior**: AI Overview citations 20–35% higher CTR than equivalent organic. Copilot: shortest responses, fewest links (~3.13/response). Perplexity: prominent URL citations, high trackability. [Geneo](https://geneo.app/blog/chatgpt-vs-perplexity-vs-google-ai-overview-geo-comparison/), [GEO AIO](https://geoaiomarketing.com/how-bing-copilot-selects-sources-compared-to-perplexity/)

**Platform traffic context**: Among standalone AI tools, ChatGPT captures ~60%+ of independent Gen AI traffic, Gemini ~20%+, while Claude, Perplexity, and Grok each account for ~2-4%+. These tools reach users directly. SERP features (AI Overviews, Copilot) reach users through existing search flows rather than as independent destinations. Prioritize optimization effort proportionally.

How GEO Works (RAG & Search Supply)

GEO operates through **RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)**—AI tools retrieve content first, then generate answers. The retrieval supply type varies by platform and determines which content surfaces for citation.

Retrieval Supply Types

| Type | Description | Platforms | |------|------------|-----------| | **Self-built index** | Platform maintains its own crawl and search index | Perplexity (200B+ URL index, PerplexityBot); ChatGPT (OAI-SearchBot index) | | **Bound search engine** | Platform uses a fixed first-party search API | Copilot (Bing); Google AI Overviews / AI Mode (Google Search + query fan-out) | | **Third-party API** | Platform contracts a third-party search API | Claude for Government (Brave Search API); smaller AI tools using Tavily, Exa, You.com | | **Hybrid** | Combination of self-built + external API | ChatGPT (OAI-SearchBot + possible search partners); Claude Web Search (supplier not publicly disclosed) |

Platform Retrieval & Implications

| Platform | Primary Supply | Strategic Implication | |----------|---------------|----------------------| | **Google AI Overviews / AI Mode** | Google Search (query fan-out) | Strong traditional SEO + structured data is the most reliable path | | **Bing Copilot** | Bing index | Requires Bing indexing; LinkedIn signals for B2B visibility | | **ChatGPT (web search)** | OAI-SearchBot + partners | High-authority, frequently updated content favored; backlinks matter | | **Perplexity** | Proprietary crawl | Content freshness; semantic alignment; mid-tier sites have opportunity | | **Claude (web search)** | Not publicly disclosed | Focus on general crawlabi