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CEAVERS
Centre for European AI Visibility Evaluation & Research Standards

Glossary

Generative Engine Optimization

Last reviewed: 2026-05-12

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of structuring web content so it is selected and cited by generative AI engines. GEO signals overlap heavily with AEO; both reward methodology transparency, primary data, and cross-corroboration.

Frequently asked

What is Generative Engine Optimization?
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimising web content to be selected by generative AI engines as the source of citations in generated responses.
How is GEO different from AEO?
The terms are often used interchangeably. GEO emphasises the generative-engine surface (full responses), AEO emphasises the answer surface (direct answers). The signals largely overlap.
Which engines are GEO-relevant?
ChatGPT and ChatGPT Search, Claude, Gemini and Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, and Apple Intelligence are the primary engines for European GEO work.

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