How do you get started with a GEO strategy?

Article Summary

A GEO strategy usually doesn’t start with something entirely new, but with better application of what you already know from SEO. If you want to become visible in AI search engines, you need to ensure your content is clear, reliable, and easy for systems to process—systems that compile answers from multiple sources. So the first step isn’t to think differently, but to work more strategically: which pages on your site are strong enough to serve as sources, and where is context or structure still missing? Those who approach GEO smartly build on SEO, content, and technology rather than treating them as separate entities.

What exactly is GEO?

GEO stands for generative engine optimization: optimizing so that your content is more discoverable and usable in AI search engines and AI responses. Think of systems that not only display lists of links but also compile an answer based on multiple sources. That means GEO is not a replacement for SEO. So you don’t have to start from scratch, but you do need to look differently at the way content is read, summarized, and reused.

Start with your SEO basics

If your SEO isn’t in order, GEO quickly becomes messy. AI systems prefer to extract information from pages that are clearly structured, logically align with search intent, and exude sufficient authority. Therefore, start by checking your most important pages. Are they complete in terms of content, well-linked internally, and technically easy to index? A strong GEO strategy is built on the same foundation as SEO:
  • good information architecture
  • clear headings and short paragraphs
  • strong internal links
  • current content
  • reliable source citation where relevant

Choose the right pages to start with

You don’t have to revamp your entire website at once. Start with the pages that already generate traffic, conversions, or demonstrate expertise, such as your services pages, knowledge articles, or category pages. For many companies, it’s smarter to first improve 5 to 10 core pages than to make small adjustments everywhere. This allows you to build authority more quickly around topics where your brand really has something to say.

Write content that is easy to understand

AI systems prefer content that is explicit and concrete. This doesn’t mean you’re writing for a machine, but it does mean you should use less vague and less convoluted phrasing. Therefore, use clear definitions, list steps in order, and distinguish between main points and details. A text with a clear question-and-answer structure is more likely to be processed effectively than a text full of broad marketing language.

Practical content guidelines

  • Answer the main question directly in the first paragraph.
  • Use one topic per paragraph.
  • Use descriptive subheadings.
  • Add examples that are relevant to your market.
  • Avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Demonstrate expertise and reliability

GEO isn’t just about text, but also about credibility. If you want your content to appear in AI responses, it must be clear why your page is a reliable source. Signals such as author, update date, case studies, sources, and a clear page structure help with this. Especially for topics where nuance matters, such as SEO, SEA, WordPress development, or web shops, context is often more important than a single keyword.

Consider technique and structure

Technology plays a bigger role at GEO than many people expect. If a page loads slowly, is difficult to index, or has few internal links, it becomes harder for AI systems to make good use of the content. Therefore, check whether your site is technically sound. Consider indexation, canonicals, schema markup where relevant, clean URL structures, and logical internal linking. This is where there is often room for improvement, particularly with WordPress websites and WooCommerce stores.

Meet GEO: A Different Approach to Traditional SEO

You can’t always gauge GEO from a single standard report. You don’t just look at rankings, but also at visibility in AI answers, brand mentions, and high-quality links to your content. Therefore, establish a regular measurement routine. For example, review the following monthly:
  • which themes recur more frequently in AI results.
  • or whether your brand name or domain is mentioned.
  • which pages are used as sources.
  • where content remains too generic.

Expand GEO step by step

The best GEO strategy isn’t a single large, standalone project, but a series of targeted improvements. Start with your SEO foundation, then choose your key themes, and finally optimize content, technology, and authority in tandem. If you approach this correctly, the step toward AI visibility becomes much smaller. You won’t be working against search engines, but rather giving them better building blocks to understand and convey your expertise.

What does this mean for your business?

If you want to get started today, start small and specific. Choose one topic you’re already strong in, improve the content of the most important pages, and only then consider a broader rollout. A GEO strategy works best when SEO, content, and technology come together. At Digital Wizards, we often tackle these kinds of projects from that combined perspective, so you’re not just doing isolated optimization but building a cohesive approach.

Frequently Asked Questions About GEO Strategy

1. What is the difference between GEO and SEO?SEO focuses on discoverability in traditional search engines, while GEO revolves around visibility in AI search engines and generated responses. GEO builds upon SEO and does not replace it.
2. Do you need to revamp your entire website for GEO?No, start with your most important pages. Often, a few strong, content-enhanced pages yield better results than a major, general overhaul.
3. What kind of content works well for GEO?Content that is clear, factual, and logically structured usually works best. Think of pages with clear definitions, step-by-step instructions, examples, and nuanced explanations.
4. How quickly do you see results from GEO?That varies by topic and by site. Because GEO is linked to authority and content quality, you often see an effect on visibility first and only later in organic traffic.
5. Is technical SEO important for GEO?Yes, definitely. If your site is difficult to index or has an unclear structure, it becomes harder for AI systems to properly understand and utilize your content.
6. Do you need schema markup for GEO?Not always, but it can help clarify the context. Structured data can provide extra support, especially for services, FAQs, articles, and product pages.
7. How do you measure whether GEO is working?Look at brand mentions, AI mentions, source references, and the visibility of your core topics. Combine that with your SEO data to properly assess the impact.
8. Can you combine GEO with SEA?Yes, that combination is often particularly effective. SEA provides quick insights into search intent, and GEO helps you systematically incorporate that knowledge into your content and visibility.
A strong GEO strategy starts with clear choices, not with more content for the sake of content. If your SEO foundation is solid, the step toward AI visibility becomes much more logical and measurable. Digital Wizards is happy to help you with this through an approach that connects content, technology, and data.

Want to get in touch?

Hans Boersma - Digital Wizards
Hans Boersma

Would you like to discuss AI, online marketing, or the growth opportunities for your website or online store? Feel free to contact Digital Wizards founder Hans Boersma.

hans@digitalwizards.nlhans@digitalwizards.nl
036-2002660

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