You’ve probably heard the hype around “GEO” (Generative Engine Optimization) and how AI-powered search is reshaping the way people discover information online. 

Is it truly different from traditional SEO? The reality is, if you’re already using robust SEO and brand building strategies, you’re also optimizing for AI search engines… for the most part.

At Digital Position, we emphasize long-term tactics that keep businesses ahead—whether it’s Google, Bing, or AI assistants fueling the next wave of search. 

Below, we break down why GEO isn’t drastically different from SEO along with some more out of the box ideas to ensure your brand shows up for AI-driven queries.

1. AI Models Remember What They Learn

AI search engines—like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity—use massive training datasets as their “long-term memory.” 

Once your brand is associated with certain topics, that association may persist even when an AI model doesn’t refresh as often as Google or Bing.

What We Recommend:

• Earned Mentions Count: Appear in reputable publications and authoritative websites—even if there isn’t a backlink. Being cited by trusted sources (news outlets, government sites, niche industry websites) cements your brand in an AI’s training data.
• Consistent Brand Data: Make sure facts about your company (Name, Address, Phone, product details, etc.) are accurate and consistent across every platform—social media, directories, affiliate sites—so AI models don’t stumble upon conflicting information that could lower your brand’s authority.
• Topic Clustering: When you create or update content, structure it around central themes or “content hubs” (e.g., a comprehensive pillar page linking to detailed sub-posts). 

Additional Steps: Seed Your Brand in AI Training Data

• Ask ChatGPT (or another AI assistant) about products/services similar to yours and note which sources it references (Wikipedia, Reddit, news sites, etc.).
• Try to get coverage or placements in those exact sources—or outlets with similar credibility. Each mention boosts the chance that the AI will include your brand in future responses.

2. Links Still Matter for AI Search

Image Credit: Forbes.com

Traditional SEO has long considered backlinks a strong ranking factor, and AI search is no exception. In fact, many AI models lean on existing search engines’ data (like Bing or Google), which continue to use link strength as a proxy for authority.

What We Recommend:

• Backlink Quality Over Quantity: A handful of high-value backlinks is better than a torrent of low-quality links. AI relies on reputable sources, so choose collaborations and guest posts wisely.
• Unlinked Mentions Help, Too: Don’t ignore the power of simply being named on a reputable site. If you’re cited as an authority—even without a direct hyperlink—AI models still track that association.

3. AI Search Results Are Hard to Track

If you Google a keyword today, you’ll see similar results tomorrow. AI assistants, on the other hand, can give you varied answers from session to session. That makes it tough to measure how frequently your brand appears in AI-generated responses.

What We Recommend:

• Focus on Sentiment: Monitor how people talk about you on social media and forums (e.g., Reddit, Facebook, X). AI models sometimes pick up not just the frequency of mentions but their sentiment. Positive reviews, endorsements, and engaged discussions boost your authority signals; negative or contradictory information can hold you back.
• Test Multiple AI Platforms: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bing Chat may pull from slightly different datasets or update at different intervals. Periodically test branded queries in each platform to check for consistency and see if you’re being mentioned accurately.
• Plan for Major Updates: Pay attention to new GPT or Gemini releases. If you can push strong PR or fresh content before a large language model re-trains or updates, you can “lock in” stronger brand associations for the AI’s next iteration.

4. Content Still Reigns Supreme

We’ve heard “content is king” a million times. Just hearing that phrase makes us cringe. 

But the principle remains key in an AI-driven world. AI-powered assistants prioritize high-quality, reliable content that addresses user queries thoroughly.

What We Recommend:

• Comprehensive & Authoritative: Write long-form, well-researched blog posts, guides, or whitepapers that cover a topic in depth.
• Micro-Content for AI “Skimming”: Include concise bullet-point summaries, Q&A blocks, or “Key Takeaways” so AI models can easily extract the gist. Short, scannable sections can be crucial for featuring in quick, generative answers.
• Diversify Your Formats: Go beyond text. Produce infographics, videos, and interactive elements that engage users—and encourage them to spend more time on your site. Longer dwell times suggest higher authority to traditional search and AI models alike.

Additional Steps: Create AI-Optimized Press Releases

• Craft SEO-friendly press releases and distribute them via PR Newswire, Brand Featured, etc.
• Don’t just push your product—offer industry insights or commentary on market trends. Press releases that read like thought leadership get picked up by reputable sources and filter into AI training sets, boosting your credibility.

5. Brand Authority Is More Important Than Ever

Quote Credit: Sean Frank, CEO of Ridge – X

The comment above from Sean was likely tongue in cheek, but the point still stands in our eyes.

Generative engines and AI assistants want to surface answers from trusted, credible brands. So if people regularly cite and reference your brand and content—and do so positively—you’re more likely to show up in AI-generated answers.

What We Recommend:

• PR & Partnerships: Traditional marketing—like getting covered in news articles, co-hosting events, or working with industry thought leaders—feeds positive brand mentions into AI training data.
• Encourage Branded Queries: If potential customers search for “(Your Brand) + [Topic],” those repeated searches signal to AI that your name is synonymous with that subject matter. Make your brand part of your keyword strategy so users naturally pair your name with your industry niche.
• Consistency Everywhere: Maintain the same brand story, messaging, and business info across your site, social channels, and partner listings to avoid AI “hallucinations” or misinformation.

6. Confirm AI Crawlers Aren’t Blocked

One surprisingly common oversight in the AI era is not allowing newer AI bots to index your site. While you might be open to Googlebot or Bingbot, large language models and emerging AI crawlers sometimes use different user-agent names.

What We Recommend:

• Robots.txt & Meta Directives: Make sure these files or tags don’t inadvertently block nontraditional crawlers. If AI models can’t access your site’s pages, the only places they’ll be able to gain insight into your brand is other websites.
• Allow for Future Bots: As more companies release their own AI or generative engines, each might have unique crawling protocols. Periodically audit your setup to remain open to new AI crawlers.
• Test It: Check server logs or analytics for visit patterns from different user agents. If you see repeated blocked attempts by a particular AI bot, investigate and adjust your robots.txt accordingly

7. Additional Tactics to Amplify Your AI Presence

Beyond some of the steps mentioned above, consider these additional moves to cement your brand in the AI era:

• Improve Review Generation: Encourage customers to leave more detailed reviews by guiding them with specific questions. AI doesn’t just count stars; it “reads” the context in reviews. A robust review describing use cases or product performance often trumps a simple five-star rating in AI’s eyes.
• Integrate Store Integrations & AI Tools: E-commerce platforms like Shopify have AI-based apps for live chat shopping assistants or AI-powered review summaries. These integrations not only help convert users but also may generate brand data that AI crawlers pick up. The more user-AI interactions referencing your brand, the stronger the signal.

What This Means for Your Business

In the end, AI search engines are just another channel for reaching your customers. The pillars of SEO in 2025—authority, relevance, trust—still drive results in an AI-centric world. There are just some more out of the box things you can do nowadays to influence results or increase the likelihood you’re mentioned in these platforms.

AI models might take longer to update and can be less predictable than traditional search engines, but a consistent, long-term approach ensures that your brand remains front and center, regardless of how search technology evolves.

Ready to future-proof your SEO? Book a call and let’s talk. At Digital Position, we help businesses get discovered—whether it’s on Google, Bing, or the next big AI-powered search engine.