The race is changing .. GEO/AEO is how you stay ahead!
Lot’s of tradies ask us “What is GEO/AEO and how is it different from regular SEO” .. Well, if SEO is about getting found on Google, GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) or AEO (AI Engine Optimisation) is about getting recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot. Think of it like a new kind of race.. where instead of just showing up on Google, your business gets suggested by AI when someone asks for help.
It’s basically optimising your website and business for AI chat engines, so you get recommended. It’s still SEO at heart, but with a few extra steps or tactics to help AI engines notice and trust your business.
How does GEO / AEO work?
When someone asks an AI tool “Who’s the best plumber in Logan?” or “Can you recommend a painter near me?”.. the AI doesn’t just guess. It pulls info from Google, review sites, business directories, and your website itself to make a smart recommendation.
To get suggested, your online presence needs to be strong, consistent, and trustworthy across multiple platforms.
For a more detailed breakdown on answering the question ‘what is GEO/AEO’, >click here< for a more detailed breakdown on the Ahrefs blog.
What helps AI engines recommend your business?
Just like SEO, GEO/AEO is about upgrades. But instead of only tuning your website, you’re also tuning your whole online footprint. This is often made up of:
🔷 Solid website SEO — fast, mobile-friendly, and full of useful content
🔷 Verified listings — Google Business Profile, Yellow Pages, True Local etc
🔷 Third-party reviews — sites like Trustpilot, hipages and ProductReview matter
🔷 Consistent info — same name, phone, and address everywhere
🔷 Helpful content — blogs, FAQs, and service pages that answer real questions
🔷 Mentions online — being talked about or linked to by other trusted sites
AI engines look for patterns and trust signals. The more consistent and helpful your business looks online, the more likely you’ll be recommended.
Analogy: From race cars to pit crews
To understand what is GEO/AEO, think of it like not just upgrading your race car to win on Google’s track (that’s SEO), then GEO/AEO is like making sure your whole team is ready .. the pit crew, the sponsors, the driver. AI doesn’t just look at your car (website), it checks your reputation, reviews, and how others talk about you.
It’s like winning not just the race, but also getting featured in the highlight reel.
Why does Optimising for AI matter now?
AI tools are becoming the new way people search. Instead of typing into Google, they ask ChatGPT, Siri or Alexa. If your business isn’t showing up in those answers, you’re missing out.
🔷 AI suggestions = trust
🔷 Trust = more leads
🔷 More leads = more jobs
And since AI still pulls from Google and trusted sources, good SEO is still the foundation.. GEO/AEO just builds on top.
Simple ways to start improving GEO / AEO
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start with small steps:
🔷 Claim and update your Google Business Profile
🔷 Get listed on review sites like Clutch or ProductReview
🔷 Ask happy customers to leave reviews
🔷 Make sure your website answers common questions
🔷 Keep your business info consistent across the web
These tweaks help AI engines see your business as trustworthy and relevant.
Want to get your business recommended by AI?
At Jargon Support, we help tradies and small business owners build websites and online profiles that not only look good, but get found .. by Google and AI chat tools. Whether you’re starting fresh or want to upgrade your setup, we’ll help you get noticed!
>Click here< to view our Optimisation for AI service page too.
If you’re still wondering what is GEO/AEO and how it applies to your business .. then >click here< to contact us.