What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)? How Can Businesses Appear in AI-Generated Answers?

With the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) presents a crucial opportunity for businesses to drive traffic. Unlike traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which focuses on ranking in Google and Bing, GEO aims to enhance content visibility in AI-generated search results, such as ChatGPT Search.

 

In this guide, we’ll explore what GEO is, how it works, and strategies to boost content visibility within AI-generated responses. This is particularly valuable for businesses looking to expand their reach globally and maximize exposure through AI-driven search engines.

 

What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) focuses on increasing the visibility of your content in AI-generated responses. Its goal is to position your brand or product as a primary source for AI models like ChatGPT or DeepSeek, ensuring your information is cited even if users don’t click through to your website.

 

We’ll analyze detailed GEO applications across AI search engines to demonstrate how e-commerce businesses can adapt their strategies.

 

1. ChatGPT GEO

 

2. DeepSeek GEO

 

When users ask ChatGPT a question, the AI scans multiple sources but only cites top-ranked, high-authority websites. GEO ensures your content meets these criteria. Similar to ChatGPT, DeepSeek prioritizes credible, data-backed sources. The key objective of GEO is to ensure that when AI searches for relevant content, your website, products, or services are among the top references in AI-generated responses.

 

How Does GEO Work?

GEO combines traditional SEO principles with AI-driven search strategies. When users perform AI-based searches, the system synthesizes data from multiple sources to generate a direct answer. GEO ensures that your business content is referenced in those responses.

 

1. GEO Search Modes

AI search engines operate in two modes:

• Offline Mode: Relies on pre-trained data (may lack recent updates).
• Online Search Mode: Pulls real-time web data but prioritizes high-authority sources.

 

2. GEO Process Flow

When a user queries an AI search engine, the process follows these steps:

1) Retrieve relevant web content.

2) Summarize it using LLMs.

3) Generate a response with embedded citations (unlike traditional search results).

 

How to Increase Content Visibility in AI-Generated Responses?

According to research from Pranjal Aggarwal et al. at the 30th ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery & Data Mining, effective GEO strategies can increase content visibility in AI-generated answers by up to 40%. To help businesses optimize their content for AI-based search engines like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, here are key strategies:

 

1. Cite Authoritative Sources

AI prioritizes credible content. Including authoritative references in your content increases its chances of being cited. Consider linking to:

• Official Reports: Government publications, whitepapers, and corporate reports.
• Industry Studies: Research from organizations like Gartner and Statista.
• Top Media Outlets: Articles from Forbes, TechCrunch, and other reputable sources.

 

2. Incorporate Data-Driven Insights

To enhance objectivity, use market share stats, sales growth figures, or user reviews.

For example, when DeepSeek recommended a particular product, it suggested that Product A was trusted by over 10,000 global businesses and had secured five funding rounds. This data-driven statement made it more likely for AI to select Product A as a recommendation.

 

3. Distribute Content Across Platforms

AI search engines extract information not only from websites but also from content shared on third-party platforms. For instance, global AI search engines like ChatGPT Search reference sources such as Reddit and Quora, while Chinese AI search engines like DeepSeek utilize platforms like Sohu, NetEase, and Tencent.

 

To improve GEO, businesses should distribute content across multiple platforms and optimize keywords for each. When AI detects consistent mentions of a brand or product across multiple sources, it increases the likelihood of citation.

 

4. Leverage Expert Quotes & User Testimonials

AI prefers responses containing expert opinions and real-world testimonials. Businesses should incorporate authoritative quotes from industry leaders or user feedback.

 

For example, instead of a generic statement like "Businesses should invest in cross-border e-commerce for growth," a more AI-friendly version would be: "According to XYZ CEO, ‘The global e-commerce market’s growth over the next five years will be driven by cross-border trade. Businesses should invest early.’” Similarly, testimonials with quantifiable results—such as "This product helped increase my sales by 30%!"—boost engagement and improve the likelihood of AI referencing your content.

 

5. Add a Timestamp to Articles

AI prioritizes recent content. To enhance relevance, update your articles regularly and include timestamps in the title or body.

 

Examples:

• “2025 Update: Latest Trends in Cross-Border E-commerce”
• “Last updated: March 10, 2025”

This signals to AI that your content is fresh, increasing its likelihood of citation.

 

SEO vs. GEO: Key Differences

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a widely known strategy for improving content visibility, while GEO (Generated Engine Optimization) extends SEO principles to AI-generated search results. Although both aim to enhance visibility, they differ in goals, optimization methods, and impact.

 

Comparison	SEO (Search Engine Optimization)	GEO (Generated Engine Optimization)
Goals	Improve website rankings on traditional search engines like Google and Bing.	Increase visibility in AI-generated search results (e.g., ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Perplexity).
Focus Areas	Keywords, meta tags, backlinks, page speed, etc.	Content readability, data-based insights, authoritative citations, direct quotes, etc.
How Search Engines Display Results	Users enter keywords, and search engines return a list of web pages for users to click.	Users ask a question, and AI generates a complete answer, often embedding references.
How to Improve Visibility	Optimize keyword placement, build backlinks, and improve technical aspects to rank higher.	Structure content effectively, provide authoritative information, and distribute across multiple platforms to increase AI citations.
User Interaction	Users must click on a website to access detailed information.	Users get answers directly from AI-generated responses without necessarily visiting the website.
Traffic Impact	Higher rankings lead to more clicks and website visits.	Increased citations in AI-generated responses enhance brand exposure but don’t always drive direct clicks.

 

Applications of Large Language Models in Cross-Border E-commerce

Beyond using GEO to enhance the visibility of global brands in AI-generated content, large language models (LLMs) offer additional applications in cross-border e-commerce, such as:

 

How LLMs Benefit Cross-Border E-commerce

Beyond GEO, Large Language Models (LLMs) offer several applications for cross-border e-commerce:

 

1. AI Chatbots for Customer Support

Businesses can integrate AI chatbots into platforms like SaleSmartly to automate: pre-sales inquiries, order tracking, and post-sales support. By connecting LLM-based bots (ChatGPT, Coze, DeepSeek) to SaleSmartly, businesses enhance customer experience and improve conversion rates.

 

2. Personalized AI-Driven Marketing

LLMs analyze user behavior to deliver personalized marketing campaigns. AI can generate tailored: email marketing content, social media posts, and automated promotions. For example, AI can send targeted push notifications based on purchase history, increasing sales, while avoiding over-messaging to prevent user disengagement.

 

Frequently asked questions

Will GEO Replace SEO?

No. GEO complements SEO rather than replacing it. SEO helps websites rank higher on traditional search engines, while GEO optimizes content for AI-driven search engines. Businesses should leverage both strategies for maximum impact.

 

Do All AI Search Engines Use the Same Ranking System?

No. Different AI models provide varied responses due to differences in training datasets, model updates, and context understanding. To optimize for multiple AI platforms, businesses should test GEO strategies periodically and adjust based on AI-generated results.

 

Further reading

Boost Your Visibility on ChatGPT Search: Essential SEO Tips

DeepSeek+E-commerce: A Practical Guide to Al Powered Cross-Border Customer Acquisition and Service

2025 Updated Guide: How Cross-Border Businesses Can Train Their Own Al Chatbots

Instagram SEO Tips: 3 Proven Strategies to Boost lG Visibility and Engagement