GEO vs. SEO: Why LLM Visibility is the New Battleground
Search isn’t search anymore.
When someone asks ChatGPT for the best project management tools, they don’t get ten blue links. They get a recommendation. A synthesis. An answer. And that answer increasingly is the decision.
Welcome to the age of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
What Is GEO?
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the evolution of SEO for a world dominated by large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. Unlike traditional search engines that list, LLMs generate. They interpret context, synthesize sources, and produce conversational responses.
To show up, you don’t just need to rank. You need to resonate.
GEO vs. SEO: The Key Differences
| Concept | SEO | GEO |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Rank in search results | Be cited or mentioned in AI-generated answers |
| Optimization Target | Search engines (Google, Bing) | LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) |
| Content Type | Text-heavy, link-driven | Multimodal (text, image, video) |
| Tactics | Keywords, backlinks, metadata | Conversational tone, semantic clarity, relevance |
| Measurement | SERP position, traffic | Visibility score, sentiment, presence in LLMs |
Why GEO Matters Now
The shift is already happening:
- LLMs are the new research layer.
- AI-driven responses are becoming trust signals.
- Brand mentions in generated content are shaping perception.
If your competitors are being cited in answers and you’re not, you’re invisible.
How Seshes Makes GEO Actionable
Seshes was built for this. We help you:
- Track Brand Mentions Across LLMs: See how often and how prominently your brand appears in AI-generated content.
- Score Your Visibility: Visibility Score, Presence Score, Sentiment Analysis, and more.
- Audit Your Content for AI: Our Agentic SEO audit checks how “AI-ready” your pages are.
- Benchmark Competitors: Run prompt-based comparisons across models.
- Merge SEO + AI: Connect GA4, GSC, and LLM outputs in one view.
What You Can Do Today
- Run a Brand Sesh: See how LLMs describe your brand.
- Run an Audit Sesh: Check your content’s GEO fitness.
- Monitor Over Time: Track trends, sentiment, and competitive shifts.
Final Word
GEO isn’t a trend. It’s a tectonic shift. If SEO is about climbing the ladder, GEO is about making sure you’re even in the conversation.
Own your visibility in the age of AI answers.
Start your first Sesh at seshes.ai
Further Reading
For a broader industry perspective on GEO and how it’s redefining digital marketing, check out this foundational piece by Adam Binder for Forbes Agency Council: “Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): The Future Of Search Is Here”.
