Fundamentals
January 27, 2026
8 min read
SEO vs GEO: The Key Differences You Need to Know
Same goal, different rules. Here's how optimizing for AI differs from optimizing for Google.
Both SEO and GEO aim for visibility. But they play by different rules.
The Core Difference
SEO optimizes for Google's ranking algorithm. You compete for position 1-10 on a results page.
GEO optimizes for AI's synthesis process. You compete to be mentioned in one answer.
What SEO Cares About
- Backlinks: Who links to you signals authority
- Keywords: Matching search queries
- Page speed: Fast loading improves rankings
- Mobile-friendliness: Responsive design matters
- Domain authority: Overall site reputation
What GEO Cares About
- Structured data: JSON-LD, schema.org markup
- Citation signals: Author, date, canonical URL
- Extractability: FAQs, definitions, clean formatting
- Crawler access: Not blocking AI bots
- Content clarity: Unambiguous, factual statements
The Outcome Difference
| Factor | SEO | GEO |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Top 10 get visibility | Top 1-2 get cited |
| Success metric | Rank position | Mentioned or not |
| User behavior | Click through to read | Get answer directly |
| Content format | Human-readable | Human + machine-readable |
Do You Need Both?
Yes, for now. Google still sends massive traffic. But the balance is shifting.
The smart play: optimize for both, but don't ignore GEO because "we've always done SEO." The companies that adapt early will have a significant advantage as AI-powered search grows.