GEO: Understanding generative engine optimization.

Over the past few months, a new term has been buzzing through conversations among digital professionals: GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization. Between marketing hype and genuine innovation, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction.
At ATI4 Group, we wanted to take a step back and provide a clear and pragmatic perspective on what really lies behind this acronym.
What exactly is GEO?
Generative Engine Optimization refers to all the techniques aimed at improving your content’s visibility within the answers provided by generative AI tools. In other words, the goal is to have your website cited as a source by ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Claude when users ask them questions related to your field of expertise. The objective is no longer just to appear in Google’s search results, but to become the trusted source that these AI assistants recommend to their users.
This concept has emerged in a context where search behaviors are rapidly evolving. More and more users now turn to conversational assistants to get direct, synthesized answers, without browsing multiple websites. For businesses, this represents a new and potentially powerful channel of visibility that should not be ignored.
Should we worry about traditional SEO?
Short answer: no. Despite alarmist claims, SEO isn’t dead and won’t disappear overnight. What we’re witnessing is a natural evolution of digital practices — the rules are changing, but the fundamentals remain.
It’s important to understand that generative AI tools don’t create information from scratch. They rely on existing data and published content. So if your site lacks a solid SEO foundation, online authority, and credibility, your chances of being cited by these tools are extremely low. In short: GEO doesn’t exist without SEO — it’s simply its logical extension.
Let’s be honest: a good part of the GEO hype is driven by commercial opportunism rather than real technological disruption.
Some consultants quickly saw an opportunity to sell new audits by framing GEO as the next big revolution. But the truth is far more nuanced. Users aren’t abandoning Google overnight to rely solely on ChatGPT. Search behaviors are diversifying and complementing each other, not replacing one another. Also, queries sent to AI tools are often informational, not transactional — people want to learn, not necessarily buy. For e-commerce businesses like those we support at ATI4 Group with Magento, qualified traffic from traditional search engines remains essential.
Why a good SEO strategy already positions you for GEO
Here’s the good news: If you’ve already implemented a strong SEO strategy, you’re already on the right path for GEO success.
That’s because the criteria that make content visible in AI-generated responses are very similar to those that drive good rankings on Google: relevant, well-structured content, clear answers to real user intents, credible and authoritative sources. Clarity, reliability, and domain authority all work in your favor — both for search engines and AI systems.
How to adapt your content strategy
Rather than overhauling everything, the goal is primarily to refine certain practices. The first key lies in the quality and clarity of your content. AIs favor sources that provide precise, well-argued, and easily understandable answers. Therefore, avoid unnecessary jargon and adopt an educational approach that gets straight to the point.
The structure of your content also plays an important role. Clear titles, well-organized paragraphs, and a clear hierarchy of information make it easier for algorithms—whether those of Google or generative engines—to understand. The aim is not to write for machines, but to make your expertise accessible and digestible.
Consistency in publishing remains a fundamental element. A site that regularly produces quality content sends positive signals in terms of freshness and relevance. This helps establish your position as an expert in your field and mechanically increases your chances of being referenced as a reliable source by various web actors, including AI.
Beyond the content itself, your entire digital footprint comes into play. Your reputation, mentions of your brand on other sites, quality backlinks pointing to your pages, and customer reviews and testimonials are all indicators of credibility that AIs take into consideration.
Working on your e-reputation is therefore not just a matter of image; it is also an investment in your future visibility. The more your business is perceived as a reference in its sector, the more likely it is to be cited as an information source by conversational tools. This involves maintaining a consistent presence across different channels, participating in industry events, and creating partnerships with other recognized players.
Notre recommandation
Rather than rushing into an intense race toward GEO, we recommend strengthening your foundations first. If your current SEO strategy has weaknesses, this is where you should invest your energy and resources. A well-ranked site, with quality content and established authority in its field, will naturally be visible within the generative AI ecosystem.
For our e-commerce clients on Magento or Adobe Commerce, this means continuing to work on technical site optimization, the quality of product pages, the creation of editorial content that provides real added value, and the development of a coherent link strategy. These efforts will pay off on Google as well as on emerging new channels.
GEO isn’t a standalone discipline or a replacement for SEO — it’s its natural evolution. By staying focused on the essentials — useful content, technical performance, and brand authority — you ensure sustainable visibility, regardless of how your future customers find you.
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