What’s the difference between GEO and SEO? You’ve probably heard of SEO, but GEO: generative engine optimization, is how your content actually shows up in AI generated answers. And yes, they’re different.
I’m Garth House, I run a digital marketing agency that works with professionals, medical practices and product brands. And I’ve been doing this long enough to spot a shift when it’s real. GEO is that shift. It’s not about showing up on Google’s list of links, it’s about getting your content included in the answer itself — on tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI overview.
Let me break down three key differences. First, GEO gets you into the answer. SEO helps your page rank, GEO helps your words show up inside an AI response: quoted, summarized or paraphrased often before a user ever clicks.
Second, GEO is built on clarity. Where SEO focuses on keywords and backlinks, GEO depends on whether AI can actually understand your content. Clear structure, plain language, and topical depth win here.
Third, GEO treats your content as source material. SEO tries to attract a visitor, GEO makes your expertise part of the response itself. It turns your blog, post, video, or article into raw material for generative tools. This isn’t theoretical, AI is already shaping how people get information. GEO is how you make sure they’re getting it from you.
Follow for more and I’ll show you how to make your content ready for both people and the machines they trust.