Writing for GEO: What You Need To Know
Your focus on content is to make your work strong and have it stand out, but why isn’t it getting the results you’re hoping for? The reality is that it may not be hitting today’s standards for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
What is this new acronym, and why is it affecting your content? Here are the basics that you need to know.
What Are GEO, GSO, AIO, and AEO?
In the rapidly changing world of content marketing, it’s not uncommon to come across new acronyms. GEO, GSO, AIO, and AEO are four that you may encounter. These terms aren’t synonymous, but they do refer back to a common goal that you should have for your content: Keeping content visible across AI search engine results.
To break these terms down further, here are their primary definitions:
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): GEO is how you optimize content to be cited, sourced, or discovered by generative AI platforms like ChatGPT or AI search tools. We will use the acronym GEO throughout this article when discussing AI and content optimization in the future.
Generative Search Optimization (GSO): A less-common term typically used interchangeably with GEO.
Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO): A term used to describe all AI optimization, including everything from writing new content to training AI models. It is also colloquially referred to as “SEO using AI.”
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): A way of optimizing content to provide answers to questions. For example, AEO was how companies aimed to get into Google Snippets.
Why GEO Matters in Today’s Market
The reality is this: SEO still matters, but GEO is taking over.
Organic discovery is becoming more difficult every day — there is more content online now than ever before, and the way people search for what they want to know has changed. Artificial intelligence is now providing answers to common queries and complex questions — and it is doing the searching. Your website and content will only get seen if the AI knows that it exists. And it can only exist for the AI if it is created the right way.
GEO Isn’t a One-Stop Solution
Think about this: your company probably has content. Lots of it. Your team may need to recreate that content to make it searchable by AI. But to do so means you have to understand GEO.
But knowing how to write for an AI while maintaining quality content? That’s challenging (especially if you don’t have the buy-in from supervisors to invest in GEO training for your writing team).
Still, those revisions need to be done, or your once-amazing SEO (and heavy marketing investment) could take a hit, and your content could start to get buried under new content optimized with GEO.
That’s where Comma can help. Now through August 31, we’re offering a Comma-enhanced, GEO-optimization of one of your pieces of AI-generated content. Then, we’ll give you a side-by-side breakdown to show you what changed and why. Send us your AI-generated content piece here.
Writing Tips To Optimize Content for GEO
Training your team to write for GEO can be as straightforward as showing them what artificial intelligence is really looking for. Consider taking these steps to improve your content for GEO:
Write with authority. Give straightforward answers, and be direct in your content. Now is not the time to be fluffy.
Keep a clean structure. Use bullet points for lists, and add tables to your content. Include a FAQ section for commonly asked questions.
Make content easy to skim. Skimmable content sells. Use short paragraphs, clear spacing, bold important words or phrases, and don’t bury the lede.
Anticipate questions. What will people ask about your topic? Include those questions and their answers directly in your content.
Remember your citations. Link out to expert and high-quality sources, such as .gov or .edu resources.
Need More Help?
GEO is hot, but if your content is not, our team is ready to help. We create content that connects, whether you want to add a human element to your AI-produced content or want 100% human-written results. Ready to take the next step? Contact us to see more about our AI services and current offers.
