What is GEO (and how is it different from SEO)?

You may have started seeing a new term: GEO, or "Generative Engine Optimization." If SEO is about showing up on Google, GEO is about being mentioned by AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity.

Why is there a new word for it?

Because AI answers questions differently. Google hands you ten links and lets you choose. An AI assistant gives one answer, naming just a few businesses. Getting into that short answer is a new goal — and it needs a little new thinking.

What's the same as SEO

Most of it, honestly. The foundations don't change:

• A clear website that states what you do and where.
• Accurate, consistent business information everywhere online.
• Real reviews from real customers.
• Being listed in trusted directories and local sites.

What's different with GEO

• AI prefers clear, factual, well-organised information it can quote directly.
• AI leans heavily on reviews and reputable mentions of you.
• Being named consistently across many sources builds the AI's confidence to recommend you.

So, SEO or GEO — which should you do?

You don't have to choose. Do the basics well and you help both at once. GEO is mostly SEO done clearly, plus making sure AI can find consistent, trustworthy facts about your business. A RecoPulse check simply shows you how the AI tools see you today, so you know where to start.