Guide · 5 min read · Stan Hunter
What is GEO, and why does a local business need it?
Generative engine optimisation explained: how to get your business named when someone asks ChatGPT for a recommendation.
When someone in Southport asks ChatGPT or Perplexity "who is a good accountant near me", the answer is a short list with names. Getting on that list is generative engine optimisation, GEO for short.
How AI engines choose
They look for the same signals as Google, but they weigh clarity more heavily. A business that states plainly who it is, what it does, where it works and what it costs is easy to quote. A site full of slogans is not.
What actually moves the needle
- A clear "about" statement near the top of the home page: name, service, area.
- Structured data (schema) that tells machines your business type, area served and hours.
- Consistent name, address and phone across your website, Google Business Profile and directories.
- Pages that answer real questions in full sentences, with a short direct answer first.
- Reviews and mentions on sites the engines trust.
How GEO differs from SEO
SEO earns a position on a results page. GEO earns a mention inside an answer. Most of the work overlaps, which is why the two are offered together as one service here.