What Is GEO? The Complete Guide to Generative Engine Optimization in 2026
What Is GEO? The Complete Guide to Generative Engine Optimization in 2026
The way people search is changing — and most brands are invisible in the new landscape.
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing how AI-powered search engines discover, interpret, and cite your brand. If SEO was about ranking on Google's page one, GEO is about being referenced when ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overview, or Claude answers a question about your industry.
SEO Is Not Enough Anymore
Traditional SEO optimizes for crawlers that index pages and rank them by relevance signals. GEO optimizes for language models that synthesize answers from multiple sources and generate citations.
The difference is fundamental: SEO gets you ranked. GEO gets you cited.
How Each AI Engine Works
ChatGPT
- 87% of citations come from Bing's top 10 results
- Wikipedia cited in 47.9% of responses
- Strongly favors structured, well-sourced content
Perplexity
- 46.7% of sources come from Reddit
- Strong preference for discussion-based, real-world content
- Cites recent content more heavily
Google AI Overview
- 76% of citations from organic top 10
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is mandatory
- Schema markup and structured data heavily weighted
The Share of Model Framework
Instead of "Share of Voice" (SOV) from traditional marketing, GEO introduces Share of Model (SOM): how often does each AI model mention your brand vs competitors when asked about your category?
5 Steps to Start with GEO
- Audit your current AI visibility — ask each AI engine about your brand and category
- Optimize structured data — JSON-LD, FAQ schema, organization schema
- Create content AI engines can extract — data tables, quotable paragraphs, clear definitions
- Build citations on platforms AI trusts — Wikipedia, Reddit, authoritative industry sites
- Monitor and iterate — track your Share of Model monthly
GEO vs SEO: Not a Replacement
GEO doesn't replace SEO — it extends it. The brands that win will be the ones optimizing for both human search behavior and AI synthesis patterns.
Ready to see how AI search engines see your brand? Join the 99Visibility waitlist — first 100 spots get the Starter package free.
About the Author
Liwaa Beaini is the founder of Torch99 and co-founder of Virtual Minds — an AI product studio registered under ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), UAE. He is an AI strategist and product builder operating from Lebanon, specialising in GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), mobile app growth, and AI-first systems. He has grown 40+ mobile apps, advised enterprise clients across MENA, and built products across AI visibility, local intelligence, and digital transformation.
Written by
Founder, Torch99 · Co-Founder, Virtual Minds (ADGM, UAE)
AI strategist and product builder operating from Lebanon. Founder of Torch99 and co-founder of Virtual Minds. Building 99Visibility — the GEO audit platform for the AI search era.