Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and ChatGPT SEO
SEO AI

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) & ChatGPT SEO

How SEO AI Works

In this article I will explain how your website can become visible on AI platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, and more.

The focus here is however on ChatGPT — not because the others don’t matter, but because ChatGPT currently dominates the field. It’s one of the most visited websites in the world and is estimated to handle over 99% of all generative AI queries. If your website and services are visible there, it will most likely be picked up by the others as well.

The industry now calls this discipline GEO — Generative Engine Optimization. It’s the logical evolution of SEO. Just like SEO focused on making content rank in Google, GEO focuses on making content appear in AI-generated responses.

The process of optimizing content for these platforms is known as GEO — Generative Engine Optimization. It builds on the foundation of SEO by extending optimization efforts to Generative Engines that provide direct answers to users. This addition to SEO brings new requirements and methods, making content strategy more layered and demanding a wider view of how information is discovered and presented.

One More Thing…

Before we delve into how to optimize your website to rank on ChatGPT prompts, note that the algorithm and methodology on ChatGPT changes quite frequently. Therefore I am updating this post at the moment on a regular basis. For instance, this update is from May [year].

I suggest you bookmark this page and return to it frequently for updates, or sign to our mailing list to get updates on ChatGPT SEO. Below I’ve put together what currently as of May 2025 is the most feasible SEO strategies that work:

Let’s get to it with the most important signal your website needs to provide:

Reputation Signals Now Drive Visibility

ChatGPT doesn’t evaluate content the same way Search Engines do. It scans for signals of credibility and expertise. When your website clearly communicates authority, experience, and trust, it becomes far more likely to be surfaced in AI-driven search queries like “best [service] near me.”
Our own agency (Blue Media Marketing) for example, is consistently mentioned on ChatGPT where we currently get lots of leads from because we’ve made our credibility visible to ChatGPT on purpose:

  • We highlight the scientific research behind our service strategies.
  • We mention our PhD team members and academic roots.
  • We tell the founder’s story, rooted in a high-level research background.
  • We list well-known companies we’ve worked with.
  • We showcase how long we’ve been in the industry.

What You Should Include on Your Website

If your site only has surface-level service descriptions and marketing jargon, it’s unlikely ChatGPT will rank or mention you as a top choice. Instead, you need to offer structured proof of your reputation. Here’s what you should focus on:

  • Highlight prominent clients and partnerships with trusted institutions
  • Share in-depth case studies and real-world success stories
  • Tell a compelling company origin story, including the founder’s background and expertise
  • Emphasize industry experience and research-backed or evidence-based methods
  • Include detailed bios that reflect credibility and leadership
  • Craft a clear narrative that positions your company as a trusted authority in your field

Why Traditional SEO Tactics Fall Short with ChatGPT and GEO

To perform well in AI-powered search environments like ChatGPT, you need to rethink how your website communicates trust. Traditional SEO still matters — but it’s no longer the whole picture. If your goal is to be recommended by ChatGPT, your site needs more than a great landing page. It needs authority that’s legible to ChatGPT.

SEO Tactics That Still Work for Humans

For years, SEO has relied on well-crafted landing pages designed to convert. These pages are packed with elements that help a human visitor feel confident in making a purchase or inquiry. Let’s have look on thos traditional common trust signals that SEO includes, before we explain ChatGPT Optimization:
  • Customer reviews and testimonials
  • Trust badges (e.g., certifications, guarantees, years in business)
  • Star ratings from Google, Yelp and related review hubs
  • Video testimonials or product walkthroughs
  • Visual cues that create credibility at a glance
These elements remain vital for conversion and are still an important part of any SEO strategy. They help real people feel secure in their decisions. However …

ChatGPT Doesn’t See What Users See

Here’s the catch: ChatGPT isn’t a human user. It doesn’t evaluate images, badges, or star ratings. It reads your site as text — and that’s what it uses to decide whether your brand is credible enough to recommend.

When users ask ChatGPT for the “best law firm in Chicago” or the “top wellness clinic in West Palm Beach,” it’s not looking for pretty icons or review widgets. It’s looking for substance. It wants to know why your company is reputable, and that means it needs to see it in your content.

Treat Your Website as a Credibility Document

You still need high-converting landing pages for the user — but in parallel, you must build pages that communicate your expertise in plain text. That’s what ChatGPT understands.

In essence, ChatGPT is scanning for reputation at scale. It considers your entire site, not just certain pages. And it won’t be swayed by flashy design or clever marketing language. If the substance isn’t there, you won’t get mentioned — no matter how polished your site looks.

To rank on ChatGPT, build a digital footprint that speaks to your credibility. Write about your expertise.

Conclusion about AI SEO/ GEO AI

Ranking on ChatGPT and other Generative Engines is increasingly tied to the broader context around your company — not just keywords or isolated pages. Company narratives, case studies, client reviews, and well-documented success stories all help build a comprehensive information profile that these platforms can reference and trust.

On the analytics side, even Google Analytics has begun identifying traffic referred from ChatGPT, giving us the ability to measure what’s working. This marks a turning point: GEO is no longer abstract — it’s trackable, actionable, and essential.

Learn How We Can Help You With ChatGPT SEO / GEO Services

Learn how to make your website visible on ChatGPT and other AI platforms using proven GEO tactics for credibility and reach.
About the Author
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. William Sen CEO and founder of Blue Media

Dr. William Sen has been an SEO since 2001 and is a Software Engineer since 1996, and has been teaching as an Associate Professor for some of the world's biggest universities. William has studied International Business at the University of California, Berkeley and among others holds a PhD in Information Sciences. He has worked for brands such as Expedia, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Bayer, Ford, T-Mobile and many more.

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