SEO vs GEO: Understanding the Difference (and Why You Need Both)

Sep 30, 2025

SEO vs GEO

How to Find and Use Local SEO Keywords for Business Growth

Search isn’t what it used to be. For years, the game was all about climbing the Google rankings. Now? Customers are getting answers before they even hit your site, straight from AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google AI Overviews.

That shift has left a lot of businesses asking: What’s the difference between SEO vs GEO, and how do they work together? Let’s break it down.


SEO vs GEO: Same Goal, Different Paths

At a high level, both strategies are about one thing, visibility. The difference lies in where that visibility happens:

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)

Gets your website ranked higher in Google and Bing

Gets your content mentioned inside AI-generated answers

Focuses on clicks, traffic, and rankings

Focuses on AI citations and share of voice in generative results

Powered by keywords, backlinks, and site performance

Powered by structured content, clear answers, and verifiable expertise

Measures CTR, traffic, and keyword position

Measures how often you’re cited in AI results and what share of the conversation you own

Think of it this way: SEO gets people through the door. GEO puts your name in the conversation before they even knock.


Is GEO Replacing SEO?

Not yet. Search engines are still the main way people find information online, with platforms like Google driving the majority of traffic, however, in 2025, AI overviews are appearing in 30% of all U.S. searches.

And here’s the key: AI traffic is already proving to be high-value. According to Semrush, the average AI search visitor converts at 4.4× the rate of a traditional organic visitor.

That means while GEO isn’t replacing SEO, it’s quickly becoming a critical piece of visibility. You still need a strong SEO foundation to capture the bulk of traffic, but ignoring GEO could mean missing out on the highest-quality leads.

You don’t have to pick between SEO and GEO. The real advantage comes from doing both.

  1. Tighten Up Your Top Pages: AI prefers clear, scannable content. Rewrite your top-performing pages so the answer comes first.

  2. Make It Snackable: Headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs make it easier for humans and AI to digest your content.

  3. Use Hard Proof: Stats, quotes, and references give AI confidence to cite you, and they build trust with human readers, too.

  4. Don’t Abandon the Basics: Keywords, backlinks, page speed, and UX still matter. Strong search engine optimization basics support stronger GEO.
    Learn more about our Technical SEO services

  5. Track Both Worlds: Monitor your rankings and traffic for SEO. Track AI citations and share of voice for GEO. Visibility is no longer just about clicks.


Target Visibility Everywhere

The future of search isn’t a choice between SEO or GEO, it’s the combination of both. Traditional search engines are still where most people start, but AI-driven search results are reshaping how they discover and compare businesses before making a decision.

The brands that invest in both local SEO strategies and AI search optimization will own visibility in every channel. The ones that don’t? They’ll fade into the background.

 Get your free Local SEO audit today