Generative Engine Optimization -
your DE complete guide
Table of contents
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the answer to a new era of search: Away from the classic click ranking, towards visibility in AI response systems such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT or Perplexity. In this guide, you will learn how to prepare your content so that it is cited by LLMs – using GEO techniques, structured data and smart content formats.
What is Generative Engine Optimization?
Definition & Origin
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) describes the targeted optimization of content for generative AI systems – i.e. Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Google SGE/Overviews. The aim is no longer to rank in position 1 on Google, but to be present in the direct AI responses – through citations instead of clicks.
Core aspects of GEO:
- Content that can be easily processed and quoted by AIs
- Structured data formats (Schema.org, Speakable, llms.txt)
- Clarity, conciseness and source relevance
GEO vs SEO - the most important differences
Classic SEO
Focus: Click and ranking Keywords & meta important Goal: SERP rankings Time to success: Months
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Focus: Citation through AI Structure & clarity are crucial Goal: AI overviews, featured snippets GEO successes often after 30-90 days
Why is GEO so important right now?
AI response systems displace classic SERPs
More than 50% of users will regularly interact with AI overviews, chatbots or voice assistants in 2025 Google is testing AI Overviews in Germany, while ChatGPT with browse function delivers content at the touch of a button.
Example: If you now ask for “best tools for GEO”, you will get a list directly from Google or ChatGPT – often without a classic click.
Cero clics y tráfico de voz dominan
- More and more users want direct answers, not links.
- Voice search (e.g. via Alexa, Siri, Gemini) needs precise, clear information. (⇒ Definition of voice search)
- GEO is your chance to stay visible even without a click.
Faster results possible GEO can lead to first citations after only 4 – 12 weeks – especially for FAQ blocks that are used as a source.
How GEO works in AI Overview & AI Answers
¿Qué son los resúmenes de IA?
AI Overviews are AI-generated answer blocks, e.g. via Google SGE or Perplexity, which reproduce your content in your own words – but cite you as the source (co-citation). ChatGPT refers to GEO-optimized pages if they are clear, structured and trustworthy.
This is how you are quoted in AI answers
- Use structured paragraphs with clear questions & precise answers.
- Integrate FAQ schemes and how-to markups .
- Use llms.txt to make your crawling easier for the AI. (⇒ Definition of llms.txt )
- Pay attention to brand presence (name + domain) for citation worthiness.
GEO techniques & content formats that work
1. structured answer blocks (ideally <300 characters)
Example: Question: What is GEO? Answer: GEO is the optimization of web content for generative AI systems with the aim of being cited in AI responses (e.g. Google Overviews).
2. targeted use of schema markup
Use Schema.org types like:
- FAQPage
- HowTo
- Speakable
- WebPageElement (for paragraph structure)
TIP : llms.txt also plays a role – like robots.txt, but for LLMS!
3. TL;DRs, bullet points & speaking subheadings
- Every page needs a crisp TL;DR (under 90 words)
- Use enumerations to make extraction easier for AI
- Formulate subheadings as questions
How to set up GEO technically correctly
1. SEO basics remain mandatory
- Crawlability : Server side rendering or prerendering recommended
- Rendimiento : Velocidad de página inferior a 2,5s
- Mobile First and SSL are standard
2. correctly integrate structured data
- Use a tool like Schema Markup Validator
- JSON-LD is the clear favorite (not Microdata)
3. Nuevas normas: Ilms.txt y Speakable
Ilms.txt Example:
User-agent: *
Allow: /
Speakable markup example:
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “WebPage”,
“speakable”: {
“@type”: “SpeakableSpecification”,
“cssSelector”: [“#geo-definition”, “#geo-vorteile”]
}
Use these tools and strategies to implement GEO step by step
Top GEO tools for 2025
- Writesonic Visibility Scanner – checks whether you appear in AI responses
- Profound – analyzes structure, schema & format
- AI Monitor – shows you AI citations and visibility histories
Checklist:
√ TL;DR integrated?
√ FAQ with scheme?
√ Markup validiert?
√ llms.txt set up?
√ Visibility monitored?
GEO in practice: Example & implementation template
Mini-Case:
A local IT company from NRW optimized 3 pages with TL;DR, FAq scheme and bullet points. Within 8 weeks, one of these pages was cited in Perplexity – without paid ads or backlinks.
Example structure for your content:
<h2>What is GEO?</h2>
<p>GEO is the optimization for AI response systems such as ChatGPT or Google Overviews.</p>
<script type=”application/ld+json”>
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Was ist GEO?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “GEO ist die Optimierung für generative KI-Systeme mit Fokus auf Zitationen statt Klicks.”
}
}]
}
</script>
Related terms to Generative Engine Optimization
⇒ What is the llms.txt file for?
⇒ What can I use the Speakble markup for?
⇒ What does the JSON-LD format mean?
Our latest blog article gives you in-depth insights into this topic: GEO KPIs 2025: How to measure visibility in ChatGPT & Co.
FAQ Generative Engine Optimization
GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization – a new type of visibility optimization for AI response systems.
SEO optimized for clicks in search engines, GEO for citations in AI responses.
The first results are often visible after 30-90 days.
A file similar to robots.txt, which indicates to AI systems which content may be crawled.
A schema format for marking linguistically relevant text sections – e.g. for voice search.
GEO-Check desired? Request advice now
Last update: July 18, 2025
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About the author:
My name is Isabel Unger, I am an independent digital strategist with a clear focus: visibility for the self-employed & small businesses. My heart beats for SEO, content, structure – and for explaining complex things in a way that makes them understandable and feasible.
On ixtreme.online I share my knowledge, my experience and a lot of plain language – without any technical gobbledygook.
