SEO for ChatGPT: 10 GEO Tips to Boost Traffic to your website from AI Engines

The way people discover businesses online is changing, and tools like ChatGPT are at the forefront of that change. Traditional search engine optimization (SEO) is no longer the only game in town. With the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, users are asking questions and getting direct, intelligent answers, without ever clicking on a search result.

This shift has given birth to a new strategy: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), or SEO for Chat GPT, as it’s the most popular LLM model. If you're running a small or medium-sized business, GEO is your new growth opportunity, and also your new digital battleground. 

In this guide, we'll break down what GEO is, how it differs from traditional SEO, why ignoring it could cost you and how to rank your website in ChatGPT and other AI models? 

If you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll show you how to build a website with AI using an AI website builder, so you can start attracting traffic in the era of AI-powered search.

What is GEO – Generative Engine Optimization?

GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization, is a strategy designed to help your brand, content and offerings appear inside answers provided by AI chatbots and generative search engines (like ChatGPT, Google SGE, Bing Copilot and others).

Unlike SEO, which aims to improve your ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), GEO focuses on positioning your content where AI-generated responses pull their answers from.

GEO vs. SEO: What's the Difference?

SEO	GEO
Targets Google search results	Targets AI-generated answers
Optimizes for keywords & rankings	Optimizes for context & source credibility
Relies on links and metadata	Relies on clear, structured, factual content
Competes for page #1	Competes for a place in the chatbot's response

With SEO, the goal is to be found on Google. With GEO, the goal is to be cited by AI as a trusted source. It’s a new kind of visibility.

Why small and medium businesses can't afford to ignore GEO

If you're a local service provider, eCommerce seller, coach, consultant or run any small-to-mid-size operation—GEO is your ticket to staying relevant. Here's why:

• 🔍 AI is the new front door: More and more people are asking ChatGPT instead of Googling.

• 💬 Generative engines shape perception: If your business isn't mentioned, it might as well not exist.

• ⚡ Early adopters win: GEO is still new, getting in now gives you a massive first-mover advantage.

Avoid common AI pitfalls—check out mistakes to avoid when using AI website builders and plan smart with website planning.

Why LLMs are taking over search in 2025 and what It means for SEO for ChatGPT ?

In 2025, search has evolved from “finding pages” to “getting answers.” At the heart of this shift are large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Meta’s LLaMA. These powerful AIs are transforming how users interact with content—and how businesses must show up online.

Here’s why LLMs are taking over (with real-world examples):

1. They Save Users Time

Instead of scrolling through multiple websites, users get quick, precise answers from AI.

Real-life example: Lets say Sarah is planning a trip to Portugal. She types: “Best 7-day itinerary in Portugal for families with kids” into Google SGE. Instead of a list of blog posts, she sees an AI-generated plan, with day-by-day activities, local tips and links to relevant travel services—all within seconds.

Takeaway: If your travel business or blog isn’t optimized for LLMs, you’re not part of the answer.

2. They Provide Context, Not Just Results

LLMs understand nuance. They don’t just show results—they explain, compare and summarize.

Real-life example: Tom wants to refinance his mortgage. He asks ChatGPT, “Should I refinance with a fixed or variable rate in 2025?” The AI outlines the pros and cons of each, compares current trends and even suggests scenarios based on his risk level. It’s like getting free financial advice, without clicking a single link.

Takeaway: If you offer financial services, your content must clearly explain terms, options and use-cases—so AI knows to trust (and quote) your expertise.

3. They Enable Conversational Search

Users now have ongoing conversations with AI, refining questions and getting tailored answers in real time.

 Real-life example: Nina is shopping for skin care. She asks: “Best night cream for dry skin under $30?” Then follows up with: “What if I have sensitive skin?” Then: “Can you find one available on Amazon?” ChatGPT gives personalized product suggestions with explanations—and links.

Takeaway: Your product data, reviews and benefits must be well-structured and easy to interpret by AI. Otherwise, you won’t be part of these smart, shopping-driven chats.

4. They’re Already Embedded Everywhere

LLMs are built into Google, Bing, mobile assistants and even social platforms. Users don’t always realize they’re searching through AI—but they are.

Real-life example: James is writing an email in Gmail. As he types, the Smart Compose feature (powered by LLMs) suggests how to word his message. He clicks a phrase that was pulled from a blog post about customer service tips—written by a business just like yours.

Takeaway: Your content can appear in AI suggestions, autocomplete and summaries—if it’s structured right.

In 2025, the best SEO strategy is no longer just about keywords. It’s about teaching the machines that teach your audience. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the new game—and it starts by making your content clear, structured, and AI-friendly.

SEO for ChatGPT basics: How Does ChatGPT Get Its Information?

One of the most common questions today is: "Where does ChatGPT get all this information from?" It’s important to understand that ChatGPT doesn’t “browse” your website in real-time like Google does. So how does it know what to answer?

• Does ChatGPT visit your website? No. ChatGPT doesn’t crawl websites the way traditional search engines like Google do. It doesn’t send bots or spiders to your pages. Instead, its answers are based on what it has already been trained on—data collected from public web content, licensed sources and integrations like Bing Search.

• How does ChatGPT “learn” content? ChatGPT is trained on a large corpus of data, including public websites, government documents, research papers, Q&A forums and trusted news publications. In real-time applications, it may also retrieve up-to-date content from search APIs (like Bing) to provide fresh answers.

How can you increase the chance that your content appears in ChatGPT answers?

The best strategy: create clear, helpful, authoritative content that solves real problems. Use well-structured headings, FAQs, bullet points and real-world examples. The easier it is for AI to interpret your content, the more likely it is to be quoted or referenced in answers.

SEO for ChatGPT: 12 Ways to Promote Your Website with GEO

Now that you understand what GEO is and why it matters, it’s time to talk about how to actually use it to grow your traffic.

In a world where users are asking ChatGPT and other AI engines for recommendations, advice or product comparisons, your goal is to be part of the answer.

Whether you're a small business owner, an online store or a service provider—if your content is not optimized for generative engines, you're missing out on high-quality traffic. In this next section, we’ll cover 12  proven tactics to get your website featured in AI-generated responses—and drive real, targeted visitors to your brand.

01. Write in a question-and-answer (FAQ) format

Generative engines like ChatGPT are designed to answer questions. That means if your website content is written in a Q&A format, it’s much easier for AI models to recognize and extract relevant information.

• Why it works: AI tools scan content looking for structured answers to user queries. When you clearly format your content using headers like “What is X?”, “How do I do Y?” or “Why should I use Z?”, you're making it easier for the engine to pull your answer directly into its response.

• Example: Instead of writing a generic paragraph about your services, try creating a section like: “What makes our digital marketing agency different?” Follow it with a short, helpful answer in natural language.

• Pro tip: Build an FAQ page on your site or add an FAQ section to each important page (products, services, blog posts). Think like your customer—what would they ask?

02. Focus on long-tail and niche keywords

In the age of AI search, general keywords like “buy shoes” are too competitive and often too vague. Instead, GEO thrives on specific, niche and long-tail keywords—phrases that users type when they’re asking detailed or localized questions.

• Why it works: ChatGPT and similar tools prioritize precise answers. If your content includes longer, more natural phrases like “best waterproof hiking shoes for winter 2025,” you’re targeting exactly what users are searching for.

• Example: Instead of optimizing for “yoga classes,” try “online yoga classes for beginners over 40” or “affordable yoga studios in New York.”

• Pro Tip:Use free tools like Google’s "People Also Ask," Answer the Public or KeywordTool.io to discover long-tail questions your audience is searching for.

Search in google a keyword in your niche and explore Google SERP features content like "People Also Ask"

03. Create authoritative and unique content

Generative engines prefer helpful, trustworthy and unique content. If your website repeats the same generic content found on dozens of other sites, you’ll likely be ignored by AI tools. The key is to provide depth, personal insight and clear expertise in your writing.

• Why it works: AI models give priority to content that appears to come from subject-matter experts, especially when it includes original ideas, in-depth explanations and context that isn’t widely available elsewhere.

• Example: If you run a nutrition blog, don’t just list “10 benefits of kale” like every other site. Add your personal experience, data from real clients or quotes from nutritionists. That makes your content stand out.

•  Pro tip: Add elements that show real authority—case studies, testimonials, original photos, charts or expert quotes.

04. Optimize for “conversational queries”

One of the biggest shifts in generative search is that users are no longer typing keywords — they’re talking to AI tools. That means your content should match the way real people ask questions in everyday language.

• Why it works: AI tools like ChatGPT are designed to respond to full-sentence questions and natural phrasing, not robotic keyword strings. If your content reflects that tone, it’s more likely to be understood and cited by generative engines.

• Example: Instead of writing “Email marketing tips,” use a conversational header like: “What are the best ways to improve my email marketing in 2025?”

• Fact: According to Google, “27% of the global online population is using voice search on mobile.” (source: Think with Google). That means natural language isn’t just preferred, it’s dominant.

• Pro tip: Try reading your headers and intros out loud. If it sounds like something a real person would say to an assistant, you’re on the right track.

05. Use structured data and clear formatting

Generative engines may not visit your website the same way Google’s crawler does, but clear, well-formatted content still makes a huge difference. Headers, bullet points, short paragraphs and logical structure help AI “understand” your content better.

• Why it works: Clean formatting allows AI systems to extract concise answers and key takeaways more efficiently. If your site is a wall of text, it’s likely to be skipped.

• Example: Use H2 and H3 headers to break up sections. Use bullet lists for features, pros/cons or step-by-step instructions, just like this article. 

• Pro tip: Don’t forget to use schema markup where possible (especially FAQ schema), which increases the chance of your answers appearing directly in AI-powered snippets. You can use tools like Dentsu Schema Markup Generator, to create it easily.

Creating an faq schema

06. Publish regularly and keep content updated

Generative engines like ChatGPT rely on updated and relevant information. If your content is outdated or your site hasn't been touched in a year, your chances of showing up in responses drop significantly.

• Why it works: LLMs often draw from sources that appear more active, relevant and current. Consistency signals reliability.

• Example: If you wrote an article in 2022 titled “How to choose the best CRM,” go back and update it with trends, tools, or pricing from 2025. Add a note like: “Updated: June 2025”

• Pro tip: Create a simple monthly or quarterly content update plan. It could be as easy as refreshing stats, swapping old links or adding a new section based on user questions.

07. Get featured on trusted external sources

Generative engines like ChatGPT tend to pull information from high-authority domains. So, getting mentioned or linked from these sources increases the likelihood your brand or content will show up in AI-generated answers.

• Why it works: ChatGPT and similar models often prioritize answers that are based on verified, reputable sources. When your site is cited by industry publications, government resources or popular blogs, it enhances your perceived authority in the eyes of AI.

• Example: If you run a legal website, getting quoted in Forbes, Entrepreneur or a government site (.gov) can drastically improve your credibility. Try writing guest posts, offering expert commentary or joining Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to land those mentions.

• Pro tip: Don’t aim only for backlinks, aim for contextual mentions and expert quotes. AI often uses these when generating informational answers.

08. Leverage publicly accessible content platforms

Content hidden behind paywalls or login pages won’t be accessible to AI models. On the other hand, public platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, Quora or GitHub (for developers) are frequently crawled and absorbed by large language models.

• Why it works: These platforms already have high domain authority. By publishing there and linking back to your site, you increase both your visibility and your chance of inclusion in generative answers.

• Example: Post a version of your article “How to Start an Online Store” on Medium, with a link to your full guide. Include FAQ-style subheadings and useful stats to maximize inclusion.

• Pro tip: Use the same long-tail keyword strategy, but adjust tone slightly for each platform’s audience.

09. Answer questions where people are asking them

Generative engines are trained on public Q&A content, especially from sites like Reddit, Quora and even niche forums. By actively participating in those platforms, your content and expertise become part of the knowledge base.

• Why it works: These sites are conversation-rich environments. That makes them prime training data for LLMs, which thrive on natural dialogue and community-generated content.

• Example: If you're a digital marketer, answering questions in a subreddit like r/SEO or on Quora’s “Digital Marketing” topic helps establish your voice. Over time, those answers may become part of the LLM’s "memory."

• Pro tip: Include a link to a relevant article from your site, but always add real value. Avoid overly promotional language, focus on genuinely helping the user.

10. Create useful step-by-step guides (how-to style)

Generative engines like ChatGPT love clear, structured guides that walk people through a process. These “how-to” guides are perfect for GEO because they give the model something precise, educational and practical to reference.

• Example: Instead of writing a blog post titled “Email Marketing Tips,” go for: “How to Launch Your First Email Marketing Campaign in 7 Easy Steps”

• Then actually walk the reader through it: Step 1: Choose a platform (Mailchimp, ConvertKit) Step 2: Set up your list… and so on.

• Pro tip: Use numbered steps, screenshots and a clear intro + summary. The more structured and instructional the content, the more LLMs trust and use it in responses.

11. Structure your content like a teacher—think educational

LLMs like ChatGPT are trained heavily on educational and instructional content. That means if your website teaches something clearly and methodically, it's more likely to be echoed in generative answers.

• Example: Let’s say you run a fitness site. Instead of writing a blog post titled “Why Deadlifts Are Great,” write a guide like: “How to Do a Deadlift: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide”, and break it into clear numbered steps, safety tips and FAQs. This increases your chance of being cited in AI-generated fitness responses.

• Pro tip: Use headings like “Step 1,” “What You’ll Need” and “Common Mistakes”—LLMs recognize these as educational signals.

12.  Collaborate with AI platforms—offer APIs or optimized pages

Want to go beyond just being found in generative search? Give the AI something to use.

Many AI platforms are integrating with tools and APIs to provide real-time data, calculators, definitions and more. If your business can offer something interactive, technical or data-rich — consider offering a public API or building pages that are easy for AI to reference.

• Example: Let’s say you offer mortgage rate comparisons. You could create a public-facing calculator tool or even open a lightweight API for AI systems to pull real-time rates from. This increases your chance of being referenced by tools like Bing Chat, ChatGPT with browsing or Perplexity.

• Pro tip: Even if you don’t have a developer, you can still create AI-friendly landing pages with simple explanations, short paragraphs, FAQs and schema markup—all of which help LLMs “understand” and use your data

4 Common Mistakes That Limit Your Visibility in Generative Search

As GEO becomes more critical, many businesses unknowingly make mistakes that reduce their chances of being featured in LLM-based results like ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing AI. Here are the most common traps to avoid:

1. Using duplicate or recycled content

Generative engines prioritize originality. Copy-pasting content from other websites, or even republishing your own blog posts across different platforms without adding value, can lower your chances of being cited.

Tip: Use tools like Copyscape or Originality.AI to verify that your content is unique.

2. Not answering real user questions

Chat-based engines are designed to solve problems and answer questions. If your content doesn’t directly address common search intents, it may be skipped.

Example: Bad: “Our agency provides web design for businesses.” Better: “How much does web design cost for a small business in 2025?” with a full answer.

Walkthrough idea: You can use  AlsoAsked or AnswerThePublic to discover what real users are asking, then create FAQ content around it. you can also go to google search, and see what people also asked in that topic.

Search your primary Keyword, and find the "People also ask" feature

3. Writing for Google instead of people

Search engines are evolving. While keyword stuffing may have worked in 2015, it no longer does. Today’s AI models reward clarity, usefulness and human tone over robotic SEO tricks.

Fix it: Write like you're speaking to someone who’s asking a question—not like you're gaming an algorithm. Tools like Hemingway App can help simplify and humanize your writing.

4. Content with no real value (just keywords)

Content that simply lists keywords or offers general info with no insight doesn’t perform well in generative search. LLMs want depth, context and guidance.

Better approach: If you’re writing about “email marketing,” don’t just define it, include examples, common mistakes, platforms to use and a short step-by-step to get started

How to measure success with GEO

Success in GEO doesn’t always look the same as traditional SEO. Because tools like ChatGPT or Gemini don’t always send traffic the way Google Search does, you need to measure your visibility and impact differently. Here's how to do that in a practical and understandable way:

1. Stop relying only on Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a powerful tool, but it mainly tracks visitors who land on your site through clicks. Generative AI tools often quote your content or summarize it, without sending a direct visit. That means you could be generating visibility and brand awareness without seeing it in your analytics dashboard.

What to do instead:

• Use brand monitoring tools like Brand24, Mention or Google Alerts to track if your business is being mentioned in AI summaries or citations.

• Supplement GA4 with tools that track user behavior, such as:

  • Hotjar (see how visitors interact with your content)

  • On-site surveys (ask how people found you)

2. Check if your content is appearing in AI answers

One of the best signs that your content is optimized for generative engines is if it shows up in ChatGPT, Bing AI or other tools as part of their responses.

How to check:

• Ask ChatGPT or Perplexity a common question in your niche and see if it references your brand or content.

• Tools like Glasp and ChatGPT File Uploader allow you to input your content and test how LLMs interpret or reference it.

• Newer GEO-tracking tools like Nozzle.io are beginning to support visibility monitoring in AI-driven results.

Pro tip: Include clear brand references in your blog posts and link back to cornerstone content — this increases the chance your name or site gets mentioned in responses.

3. Use tools built for GEO and semantic SEO

Generative engines don’t just look at keywords, they care about topics, depth and authority. That’s where semantic SEO tools shine.

Best tools for this:

• Surfer SEO: Analyze how well your content aligns with the top-ranking results and topics.

• Frase.io: Identify the questions users are asking and create optimized answers.

• MarketMuse: Evaluate your content authority in specific subject areas and get suggestions to fill topic gaps.

What to do: Paste your blog article or landing page into one of these platforms. Look for:

• Missing topics or subtopics

• Related questions you didn’t answer

• Content quality score vs. competitor

4. Monitor “unusual” traffic and referrals

As generative search expands, your website may begin receiving traffic from lesser-known sources, not just Google or Facebook. Recognizing and tracking these sources helps you understand if your GEO strategy is working.

Where to look:

• In Google Analytics, navigate to Acquisition > All Traffic > Source/Medium.

• Look for traffic from:

  • Perplexity.ai

  • Bing chat

  • DuckDuckGo (some answers powered by LLMs)

  • Reddit, Quora, or other community sites where your content might have been shared

• Also check direct traffic—users might see your brand mentioned in ChatGPT and type your name directly into the browser.

5. Track keyword visibility in generative engines

As tools evolve, you’ll start seeing SEO platforms provide data not only about Google ranking — but also “visibility” within LLM-generated responses.

Stay ahead by:

• Signing up for early-access GEO tools (e.g., Xfunnel, SEO.ai)

• Subscribing to AI-focused SEO newsletters (e.g., Aleyda Solis' “Learning SEO” or Kevin Indig’s “Growth Memo”)

• Testing prompts weekly with tools like ChatGPT to monitor your brand’s presenc

Want to make sure your next launch is ready for both SEO and GEO? Before you go live, go through our website launch checklist and learn how to register a domain name the right way.

Wrapping things up—here’s what I’d do if I were you

Let’s be real, keeping up with search trends can feel overwhelming. One day it’s SEO, the next it’s AI and “generative optimization.” But at the end of the day, it’s all about one thing: making sure people (and now smart tools like ChatGPT) can find your business, trust it and call or buy from you.

If you’re running a small or growing business, this shift to AI search isn’t something to fear, it’s actually a huge chance. Because unlike traditional SEO, this new world rewards clear, helpful content and real value over big budgets.

My personal take: SEO is evolving, and GEO is already here

Over the past year, I’ve experienced a major shift in the way traffic reaches websites. As AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity started to surface, and especially since Google began rolling out AI Overviews and AI Mode, the traditional SEO game has changed.

From what I see in my own Google Search Console data, click-through rates (CTR) have been steadily declining. Even when you rank well, AI overviews now "answer" the user’s question before they even click. That means less traffic, even if you're doing SEO "right."

For marketers, creators and business owners, this shift raises a tough question: 

How do you keep driving traffic and at what cost?

That's where GEO comes in. To stay visible, websites and content need to be optimized not just for Google, but for the AI engines that users increasingly rely on for answers. GEO and SEO are closely related, at their core, both aim to provide the best possible response to user intent.

But GEO requires a new mindset: 

1. Writing content that’s more helpful and human

2. Structuring it so AI models can “understand” and summarize it

3. And focusing on authority and clarity over just keywords

My opinion? Businesses that want to stay relevant in search and AI conversations must adapt to GEO now. It’s no longer a “nice-to-have”, it’s becoming the new baseline.

What are the must-have features in an AI website builder for GEO and ChatGPT SEO?

When optimizing for AI engines like ChatGPT, choosing the right tools matters. The must-have features in AI website builder platforms include SEO automation, schema markup support, structured content templates and built-in AI content assistants that help format answers in a way LLMs can understand. Look for tools that let you easily add FAQs, structured data, and metadata. Bonus points if your website builder helps with content clarity, accessibility and keyword-rich AI optimization for both human readers and generative engines.

How do you rank your website in ChatGPT?

To rank in ChatGPT’s responses, focus on clarity, authority and structure. Use conversational keywords, write in a Q&A format, and publish detailed, trustworthy content that answers real user questions. Getting mentioned by reputable sources also helps—ChatGPT often cites information from trusted, verified domains.

What is GEO and how is it different from traditional SEO?

GEO is the process of optimizing your content so that AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing Copilot can find, interpret, and quote your website in their generated answers. Unlike traditional SEO—which focuses on ranking high in Google search results—GEO helps you appear inside AI-generated responses. In other words, SEO gets you clicks, GEO gets you cited.

Does ChatGPT crawl websites like Google does?

No, ChatGPT doesn’t crawl the web in real time like Google. Instead, it’s trained on massive datasets, including public web pages, news sources and licensed content. However, ChatGPT with browsing (and tools like Bing Copilot or Perplexity) can access and summarize live web pages—so keeping your content fresh, clear and structured boosts your visibility in both systems.

How can small businesses use GEO to increase visibility in AI-driven search?

Small and medium-sized businesses can use GEO by structuring content around questions and answers, publishing expert-led blogs, and maintaining consistent updates. Include schema markup, use long-tail keywords and post content that solves specific problems. Early GEO adopters—especially those using AI-friendly website builders—are already seeing higher mentions and brand visibility in generative search tools.