How to Rank on ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, AI Overviews, and More in 2026

Foreword: How I Discovered GEO (and Why You’re Early)

I’ve been building online businesses since 2009.

Six companies. Millions in revenue. Thousands of pages published. Tens of thousands of keywords ranked.

I’ve lived through Google Panda, Penguin, Medic, Helpful Content — all of it. Each time, we adjusted. We adapted. We optimized.

But in 2024, I noticed something different. Something big.

It started small. I was testing a few prompts in ChatGPT — searches like:

“Best bookkeeping service for ecommerce businesses”
“Fractional CFO for SaaS startups”
“How to set up accounting for Amazon sellers”

These are prompts I knew deeply from my company, EcomBalance. We’d published in-depth content on these exact topics. We ranked well in Google. We had backlinks, FAQs, schema — the works.

So I tested them in ChatGPT and Perplexity. To my surprise, we were being cited. Not linked to on page 10. Not shown in a list of 20 results. Cited — as the recommended answer.

It wasn’t just one or two times. I started testing more. We showed up for 10+ prompts in ChatGPT and Perplexity.

Within 6 months:

✅ 25+ leads
✅ $10K+ in revenue
✅ Zero dollars in paid ads

All because our content was showing up in AI-generated answers.

That’s when I realized:

The future of SEO isn’t just about ranking in Google. It’s about being the answer in AI AND Google.

That realization became the foundation of what is now called GEO — Generative Engine Optimization.

It’s SEO for a world where people don’t always search the way they used to. Where their first question is no longer typed into a search bar…but asked to an AI like ChatGPT.

Tools like:

• ChatGPT
• Perplexity
• Google Gemini
• AI Overviews in standard search
• Google AI Mode
• And even niche LLMs built for B2B, SaaS, and ecommerce

These are the new “search engines.” Except… they don’t show 10 blue links. They give you 1 answer.

If you’re not that answer, you’re invisible in these new “search engines”.

That’s the challenge. And the opportunity.

In this ebook, I’ll show you how to win visibility in the new AI-powered world. You’ll learn:

• How to research the right prompts (not just keywords)
• How to write content that AI can parse and cite
• How to build authority so LLMs trust you
• How to monitor and improve GEO over time
• How I use GEO in my own businesses (with real results)

This isn’t just theory either. This is the exact playbook I’m using right now across multiple companies I own. EcomBalance. A fractional CFO service. My SEO agency TrioSEO. And our clients at TrioSEO.

I’m not writing this because I figured it all out and want to look smart. I’m writing this because GEO is early. And if you take action now, you can own prompts that will drive traffic and revenue for years.

You’re early. You’re ahead of most marketers. And this book is your unfair advantage.

Let’s get to it. Let’s get you ranking in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. And let’s turn those rankings into leads, trust, and revenue.

If you’d rather have experts handle this for you while you focus on running your business, we offer the same strategies as a done-for-you service at trioseo.com.

Sincerely,

Connor Gillivan
Founder @ TrioSEO
Co-Founder @ EcomBalance, AccountsBalance, HG Media, Outsource School, FreeUp (Acq. 2019)
15+ Years in SEO, SaaS, and Organic Growth

How to Use This eBook (Who This Book Is For)

If you’re building a business that depends on visibility, trust, and qualified leads — this book is for you.

Whether you run a:

• Marketing agency
• SaaS company
• B2B services business
• Or lead SEO and content strategy for one

You’ll walk away with a step-by-step system to get your business ranked and recommended in AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews.

What This Book Covers

This is a full-funnel guide to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — from research to rankings to revenue.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to do GEO keyword & prompt research
• How to structure content that LLMs trust and cite
• How to build the authority AI looks for
• How to monitor your rankings in ChatGPT and Perplexity
• How to continuously optimize and scale

Plus:

• Real case studies (including how I did this with EcomBalance)
• Tools, templates, and workflows you can copy
• My full agency playbook from TrioSEO

How to Read This Book

You can skip to the sections that matter most to you — but for the complete strategy, I recommend reading it front to back.

Each chapter builds on the last. If you want to fully understand the opportunity and build a sustainable GEO system, start from the beginning.

If you’re short on time, here’s where to jump in:

• Chapters 3–4: Core strategy for content and ranking
• Chapter 6: Authority building (most people miss this)
• Chapter 7: How to track and improve GEO rankings
• Chapter 9: Real-world case studies
• Chapter 10: Implementation plan + how to work with TrioSEO

Let’s build your GEO system and get you ranking where it matters most — inside the answers your buyers are already trusting.

Chapter 1: Understanding GEO

1.1 What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?

Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, is the process of optimizing your content so it ranks inside generative search engines and LLMs (large language models) — tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Perplexity, and AI Overviews & AI Mode in Google Search.

Just like SEO is about ranking in Google, GEO is about ranking in AI-generated answers and LLMs.

When a user asks ChatGPT:

“What’s the best bookkeeping service for eCommerce businesses?”

…the AI generates a written answer. That answer is pulled from multiple sources — and sometimes those sources are cited directly.

GEO is about becoming one of those sources.

If your business is cited, linked, or even just named in that AI-generated answer, you’ve won.

Why? Because the user is trusting AI’s recommendation. If you’re in that answer, you’re in their consideration set — without them ever clicking over to Google.

1.2 GEO vs. Traditional SEO

Here’s the easiest way to understand the difference:

Traditional SEO

• Focuses on ranking in Google’s top 10 results
• Optimizes for keywords & search intent
• Click-through rate (CTR) depends on your position and meta title

GEO

• Focuses on being cited inside AI answers & LLMs
• Optimizes for prompts, structure, authority signals
• CTR depends on AI trust and placement in the answer

Traditional SEO and GEO share DNA — but the ranking systems are different.

If SEO is about impressing Google’s algorithm, GEO is about making yourself the obvious, reliable source for an AI model to pull from like ChatGPT.

1.3 Why GEO Matters in 2026

Search is changing. And fast.

I’ve been doing SEO for over a decade. I’ve seen the shifts:

• Mobile-first indexing
• Voice search hype
• Featured snippets and zero-click searches
• Google rewriting meta descriptions

But nothing compares to what’s happening now.

Here’s what I see every day:

• Potential customers asking ChatGPT before Google
• Users trusting AI summaries over individual articles
• AI tools starting to act as “final answers” — no clicks needed

That means if you’re not in the AI’s answer, you don’t exist in that buyer’s decision process.

Can you see why it’s important?

1.4 The First-Mover Advantage

I’ve lived through the “early SEO” days.

In 2013, you could publish a decent blog post, build a few backlinks, and rank on page one in a matter of weeks.

Today? That’s almost impossible without significant resources.

Right now, GEO is in that early window:

• Few competitors are actively optimizing for it
• There’s little understanding of how to do it right
• It’s easier to rank before AI answer algorithms become more competitive
• Only a fraction of Internet users are actively using AI answers and LLMs like ChatGPT. That’s expected to grow rapidly in the next 5-10 years.

For EcomBalance, I started testing GEO in early 2025.

By mid-2025, we were ranking in ChatGPT for multiple high-value prompts, generating 25+ leads, and $10K+ in revenue — without touching ad spend.

It goes to show that there’s ample opportunity in this new world of GEO if you make it a focus for your business.

We help other companies achieve similar results through our done-for-you GEO services – learn more at trioseo.com.

1.5 Why GEO Is Perfect for Agencies, SaaS, and B2B Companies

If you sell high-ticket services or software, every lead matters.

Your buyers are:

• Asking complex, specific questions
• Looking for trusted recommendations
• Willing to act based on perceived expertise

GEO meets them where they are — inside the AI conversation. It builds trust before they ever land on your website.

For agencies, SaaS, and B2B brands, GEO is more than just traffic. It’s pre-qualified visibility in front of decision-makers ready to buy.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 1

• GEO = Optimizing to rank inside AI-generated answers from tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
• It’s different from SEO but builds on similar principles.
• The early adopter window is open right now — this is the moment to invest.
• For high-ticket B2B and SaaS, GEO puts you in the buyer’s journey before they even Google your competitors.

Chapter 2: How LLMs Generate Answers

2.1 Where AI Gets Its Information

When you ask ChatGPT:

“What’s the best bookkeeping service for eCommerce businesses?”

…it doesn’t magically “know” the answer.

It generates a response based on patterns learned from massive amounts of data.

That data comes from:

• Publicly available web pages (blogs, articles, documentation)
• Licensed data sets
• User-submitted or generated content (forums, Q&A sites)
• Internal knowledge bases (in the case of closed models)

Here’s the kicker:

The AI isn’t “searching” the internet live (except in the case of connected tools like ChatGPT with browsing enabled or Perplexity).

Instead, it’s pulling from the information it’s been trained on, plus any live data sources it has access to.

That means:

1. If your content isn’t part of the training set or live sources, you won’t be included in answers.
2. If your content isn’t trusted, even if it’s in the data set, you’re less likely to be cited.

All the more reason to optimize for GEO now so that you can become a trusted source and start ranking in AI answers sooner.

2.2 How LLMs Decide What to Show

Generative LLMs like ChatGPT make decisions based on:

• Relevance to the query or prompt wording
• Authority of the source (domain reputation, backlinks, citations)
• Structure of the content (easy-to-parse sections, clear answers, headings)
• Recency (especially for fast-moving industries)

This is where GEO starts to look a lot like SEO:

Google ranks based on signals like backlinks, content quality, and user engagement.

LLMs rank based on trust and clarity signals in the data they’re pulling from.

If you think about it from the AI’s perspective:

• It needs to be accurate.
• It needs to answer the question completely.
• It wants to avoid citing outdated or spammy sources.

2.3 The Major Players in 2026

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

• Models: GPT-5, GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, and newer iterations
• Data: Trained on broad web data, licensed datasets, and user inputs
• Browsing: Available with ChatGPT Plus & Enterprise in some cases
• GEO Tip: Structure content like Q&A and definitions — GPT loves clarity

Google Gemini & AI Overviews

• Data: Combination of Google Search index + AI summarization
• Unique Factor: Pulls from top-ranking pages and Google Knowledge Graph
• GEO Tip: Traditional SEO + structured data = higher chance of appearing in AI Overviews

Perplexity

• Data: Live web search + curated sources
• Unique Factor: Always cites sources, making visibility easier to track
• GEO Tip: Publish in-depth, well-cited guides — Perplexity favors authoritative content with references

Claude (Anthropic)

• Data: Similar to GPT with a mix of public data and licensed sources
• Unique Factor: Strong focus on helpfulness and ethical considerations
• GEO Tip: Include experience-backed perspectives and clear expertise to appeal to Claude’s training biases

Bing Copilot (Microsoft)

• Data: Live Bing search results + GPT integration
• GEO Tip: Optimize for Bing SEO while structuring content for AI parsing

And the AI LLM landscape only continues to develop every month presenting more opportunity for GEO in the future.

2.4 What Makes LLMs Choose Certain Sources

From what we know so far:

E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)

• Direct experience signals (case studies, real-world examples)
• Clear author attribution and credentials
• External validation (backlinks, mentions, partnerships)

Content Structure

• Headings that match the way people phrase prompts
• Short, skimmable paragraphs and bullet points
• FAQ sections that mimic Q&A format

Recency & Freshness

• Updated stats, examples, and case studies
• Time-stamped content signals to AI that it’s current
• Regular content refresh cycles

There’s no official data yet on what exactly works to rank in AI models like ChatGPT, but from hours of research, we and other sources online are finding what’s been mentioned here.

2.5 Why This Matters for GEO Strategy

If you know how LLMs find and choose information, you can reverse-engineer your content to be:

1. Included in their data set or live browsing index
2. Trusted enough to be pulled into answers
3. Structured so it’s easy for AI to process and quote

This is where most businesses get it wrong — they treat GEO like “just another SEO tactic” when it’s actually about making AI’s job easier.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 2

• LLMs pull from a mix of trained data, live sources, and licensed content.
• Being “in the index” isn’t enough — you need authority and clarity.
• Each AI platform has slightly different ranking behaviors.
• GEO is about becoming the obvious, easy-to-quote source in your niche.

Chapter 3: GEO Keyword & Prompt Research

3.1 Understanding AI User Behavior

When people use Google, they type:

• “best ecommerce bookkeeping service”
• “bookkeeping for Shopify stores”

When people use ChatGPT or Perplexity, they type:

• “What’s the best bookkeeping service for an eCommerce business doing $1M/year?”
• “Compare the top bookkeeping services for Shopify stores”

See the difference?

AI queries are:

• Longer — often full sentences
• Context-rich — with extra details baked in
• Conversational — like speaking to a person

This shift in query style is why GEO keyword research isn’t just about Google keywords. You’re mapping prompts as much as you’re mapping keywords.

3.2 Finding GEO Keywords & Prompts

Here’s my exact process for finding GEO opportunities through prompts:

Step 1: Start with Your Core SEO Keywords

• Pull your top-performing keywords from Google Search Console and Ahrefs.
• Focus on high-intent terms that already bring you leads.

Example from EcomBalance:

• ecommerce bookkeeping
• bookkeeping for Amazon sellers
• cash vs accrual accounting ecommerce

Step 2: Prompt Mining in ChatGPT

• Go to ChatGPT and start entering your keywords as questions.
• Look at the related questions or follow-ups it suggests.
• Record exact phrasing in a spreadsheet.

Example Prompt:

• “What’s the best bookkeeping service for a 7-figure Amazon FBA business?”

Step 3: Search Observation in Perplexity

• Type your keywords into Perplexity.
• Review which sources it cites in the answer.
• Note any common phrasing or topics.

Pro Tip: Perplexity is great for competitive intelligence because it always cites sources.

Step 4: Check Overlap in Google

• See which of your GEO prompts also show volume in traditional keyword tools.
• This helps you prioritize prompts that have cross-platform opportunities.

3.3 Evaluating GEO Opportunities

Once you have a list of prompts and keywords, score them based on:

Intent

• High Intent → “Best [service/product] for X”
• Medium Intent → “Compare X vs Y”
• Low Intent → “What is X?” or “How to do X”

Start with high intent. They have potential to convert the fastest.

Competition in AI Answers

• Is the AI already citing your competitors?
• Are the current citations from small or generic sites?

Low-quality citations = easy GEO wins.

Always analyze your competition and continue to do it as your GEO work evolves.

Business Impact

• Will ranking for this prompt actually drive revenue?
• Would the user behind the query realistically buy from you?

Just like in SEO, you don’t want to rank for just any term in GEO…you want the terms that have the highest potential of bringing in new leads and revenue.

Be smart and go after the highest “business impact” opportunities first.

3.4 Building Your GEO Research Sheet

Here’s how my GEO keyword/prompt research sheet is set up:

Columns:

1. Prompt / Keyword
2. Intent (High / Medium / Low)
3. AI Platform(s)
4. Current AI Cited Sources
5. SEO Search Volume (if applicable)
6. Potential Revenue Impact
7. Priority Score (1–10)

I fill this sheet before creating any GEO-optimized content. Just like I would before creating any SEO content for ranking on Google.

Similar process, but slightly different approaches.

At TrioSEO, we handle this entire research process for clients who want to skip straight to the results.

Get a custom research analysis here (serious inquiries only, please!).

3.5 Real-World Example: EcomBalance GEO Research

High Intent Prompt:

“What’s the best ecommerce bookkeeping service?”

• Intent: High
• Platform: ChatGPT, Perplexity
• Current Citations: Mostly generic listicles, none niche-specific
• Opportunity: Position EcomBalance as the specialized solution for eCommerce founders & get included in listicles being used as sources.

Medium Intent Prompt:

“Compare cash vs accrual accounting for ecommerce”

• Intent: Medium
• Platform: Gemini, ChatGPT
• Opportunity: Educational content with direct pitch to our service

Key Takeaways from Chapter 3

• GEO keyword research = finding prompts + keywords, not just traditional SEO keywords.
• AI queries are longer, more conversational, and more context-specific than Google searches.
• Start with high-intent prompts where current AI citations are weak.
• Track everything in a GEO research sheet for consistency and prioritization.

Chapter 4: Creating LLM-Friendly Content

4.1 Why Content Structure Matters More in GEO

In traditional SEO, you’re trying to please Google’s crawlers and human readers.

In GEO, you’re trying to please AI models first, then human readers.

Here’s why:

When someone asks ChatGPT a question, the AI doesn’t read your whole page.

It scans for clear, structured, trustworthy information it can extract and reformat into its answer.

If your content isn’t structured in a way AI can easily process, you get skipped — even if your expertise is world-class.

4.2 The “LLM-First” Content Framework

This is the exact framework I use for TrioSEO clients and for my own sites like EcomBalance.

Step 1: Direct Answer Up Top

• Start with a clear, 2–4 sentence direct answer to the prompt/keyword.
• Include the keyword/prompt naturally.
• Avoid fluff — AI wants concise clarity.

Example:

EcomBalance is a monthly bookkeeping service built for eCommerce businesses. We specialize in clean, on-time books for Amazon sellers, Shopify store owners, and D2C brands. Our team of experienced bookkeepers ensures accuracy and financial clarity so you can focus on growing your eCommerce business.

Step 2: Break into Logical Sections with H2s/H3s

• Use headings that match the way people ask the question.
• Make it easy for AI to “lift” a section as an answer.
• Just like we would add keywords and secondary keywords into headings for SEO articles, do the same for GEO articles with prompts.

Example H2s for “Best Ecommerce Bookkeeping Service”:

• What to Look for in an Ecommerce Bookkeeping Service
• The Benefits of Industry-Specific Bookkeeping
• Top Ecommerce Bookkeeping Services in 2026

Step 3: Use Bullet Points and Numbered Lists

• AI loves lists because they’re structured and scannable.
• Use them for benefits, steps, comparisons, and features.

Example: 5 Benefits of Choosing a Specialized Ecommerce Bookkeeping Service:

1. Accurate accounting for multi-channel sales
2. Better tax compliance
3. Scalable processes as you grow
4. Industry-specific financial insights
5. Time saved for your team

Step 4: Add FAQ Sections

• Create an FAQ block at the bottom of your article.
• Use schema markup so AI tools can read it as structured data.
• Use long-tail prompts word-for-word with a concise & expert-backed answer.

Example FAQ:

Q: What bookkeeping software do you recommend for Shopify stores?

A: We recommend QuickBooks Online for most Shopify stores because it integrates easily and supports ecommerce-specific features like sales tax automation.

4.3 Building Authority & Trust into Every Page

Include Real-World Experience

• AI prefers citing experts over generic content.
• Mention the years you’ve been in business.
• Share examples, case studies, and client success stories.
• Write about specific experiences you’ve had and the outcomes.

Example:

Over the past 3 years, EcomBalance has managed bookkeeping for 500+ eCommerce brands in the US, CA, and UK. Through that experience, we’ve learned…

Author Attribution & Bio

• Add a short author bio with credentials at the top or bottom of the article.
• Include a link to a full author page and their LinkedIn.

Link to Authoritative Sources

• Cite credible sources (industry publications, official data) where relevant.
• This signals that your content is well-researched and trustworthy.

4.4 Optimizing for Multiple LLMs

Each AI model has different quirks.

ChatGPT:

• Prefers clear, educational, Q&A-style content.
• Benefits from conversational tone and examples.

Perplexity:

• Highly values citations and linked references.
• Pulls from sources that are already well-structured and properly referenced.

Gemini / AI Overviews:

• Pulls from top Google results, so strong SEO + structure is critical.
• Schema markup plays a big role in being selected for AI Overviews.

Develop a GEO content creation playbook that incorporates pieces of each LLM so you appeal to them all with your GEO content.

4.5 Technical Content Enhancements for GEO

• Schema Markup: FAQ schema, Article schema, HowTo schema where relevant.
• Internal Linking: Link your GEO content to related pieces to form topic clusters.
• Image Optimization: Descriptive alt text so AI understands visuals (especially for Perplexity).

4.6 Real-World Example: EcomBalance GEO Page

When I optimized “Best Ecommerce Bookkeeping Service” for GEO:

• I led with a direct, clear answer.
• Structured the content with relevant H2s and bullet points.
• Added an FAQ block with schema markup.
• Linked out to reputable ecommerce and accounting resources.

Within a few months, ChatGPT began citing EcomBalance in relevant answers — leading to qualified leads without additional ad spend.

This same framework works across industries. We’ve helped agencies, SaaS companies, and B2B services achieve similar results using this approach. See if we can help your business.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 4

• LLM-friendly content starts with structure: direct answer, headings, lists, and FAQs.
• Authority signals (E-E-A-T) are essential for AI trust.
• Optimize for multiple LLMs by understanding their unique ranking tendencies.
• Schema markup and topic clusters improve your chances of being selected.

Chapter 5: GEO Technical Setup

5.1 Why Technical Setup Matters for GEO

Most people think GEO is just about writing better content. It’s not.

You can have the most authoritative, well-structured page in your niche…

But if your website is slow, unorganized, or technically outdated, AI engines are less likely to trust you.

Why?

Because LLMs — like Google’s crawlers — look for clean, reliable, easy-to-parse sources.

Your technical setup is the foundation of GEO. Without it, the rest of your efforts won’t reach their full potential.

5.2 Website Optimization for AI Trust

Fast Load Speeds

• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix to check performance.
• Aim for a load time under 2 seconds.
• Compress images, enable caching, and use a CDN.

Why it matters:

AI engines are biased toward well-maintained, fast-loading sites because they mimic human preference for good UX.

Mobile-First Design

• Ensure your site is fully responsive.
• Test every GEO-optimized page on mobile.

Why it matters:

Google’s mobile-first indexing impacts Gemini’s AI Overviews, and most AI browsing tools simulate mobile environments.

Secure & Stable Site

• Use HTTPS across the board.
• Keep plugins, themes, and software updated.

Why it matters:

Security signals are part of AI trust algorithms — unsafe sites won’t be cited.

5.3 Schema Markup for LLMs

Schema markup is structured data that helps both search engines and AI understand your content.

Essential Schema Types for GEO:

• FAQ Schema: Great for GEO because it mirrors AI’s Q&A format.
• Article Schema: Clarifies authorship, publish date, and topic.
• HowTo Schema: Perfect for instructional GEO content.

Example:

For a page answering “How to manage bookkeeping for a Shopify store,” use HowTo schema to break down each step clearly for AI parsing.

Pro Tip:

• Use tools like TechnicalSEO.com’s Schema Generator or SurferSEO’s schema features.
• Test with Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure markup is correct.

5.4 Internal Linking & Topic Clusters

LLMs value topical authority. If your GEO content exists in isolation, it’s weaker.

Topic Clusters for GEO:

1. Pillar Page: “Best Ecommerce Bookkeeping Service”
2. Cluster Pages:

• • “Bookkeeping for Amazon Sellers”
  • “Bookkeeping for Shopify Stores”
  • “Bookkeeping for Etsy Sellers”

Every cluster page links back to the pillar — and the pillar links to each cluster.

Why it matters:

• Reinforces to AI that you’re an expert in the topic.
• Helps AI see relationships between your content pieces.

5.5 XML Sitemaps & Indexation

• Keep an updated XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
• Ensure all GEO-optimized pages are indexed.
• Avoid “orphan pages” that aren’t linked anywhere else on your site.

5.6 Technical SEO & GEO Go Hand-in-Hand

Even though GEO focuses on LLMs, the underlying infrastructure is still classic SEO:

• Crawlability
• Indexation
• Site architecture
• Structured data

The better your technical SEO, the easier it is for AI to find, understand, and trust your content.

5.7 Real-World Example: EcomBalance Technical Setup

When optimizing EcomBalance for GEO:

• We cut average load speed from 4.2s to 1.9s.
• Added FAQ and Article schema to all GEO-targeted content.
• Built 3 topic clusters around ecommerce bookkeeping.
• Ensured all pages were internally linked and indexed.

In the first 3 months, we started seeing citations in ChatGPT and Perplexity for high-intent prompts, which led to leads and revenue.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 5

• Technical setup is the foundation of GEO — without it, even great content can fail.
• Speed, mobile-friendliness, and security are non-negotiable.
• Schema markup, topic clusters, and indexation make your site more AI-friendly.
• GEO builds on strong technical SEO, not in place of it.

Chapter 6: Building Authority for GEO

6.1 Why Authority Is the Real GEO Ranking Factor

You can have the perfect content structure, the best technical setup, and even great keyword targeting…

But if AI engines don’t trust you, they won’t cite you.

Authority is the single biggest difference between a page that could be cited and a page that will be cited.

Think about how you choose a source:

• If you’re writing an article, you link to credible experts, not random blogs.
• AI works the same way — it looks for sources with proven authority in the space.

6.2 Backlinks That Matter to AI

Not all backlinks are created equal for GEO.

What LLMs Value in Backlinks:

• Relevance: Links from sites in your niche or related industries.
• Authority: Links from well-known, trusted domains.
• Diversity: Links from a variety of sources, not just one type.

Example:

For EcomBalance, a backlink from Shopify’s blog carries more GEO weight than 10 links from generic business directories.

Backlink Strategies for GEO Success

1. Guest Posting on Niche Sites

• Target high-authority blogs in your industry.
• Include your GEO keyword in anchor text where possible.

2. Podcast Guest Appearances

• Podcast pages often include show notes with links back to your site.
• Bonus: Podcasts boost E-E-A-T by showing real-world expertise.

3. Partnership Content

• Co-author articles with industry partners.
• Cross-publish for double the exposure.

4. Featured & Journalist Outreach

• Respond to reporter queries on niche topics.
• Earn mentions in online publications that LLMs respect.

5. Digital PR Campaigns

• Run a digital PR campaign gaining mentions and links in news outlets online
• These send a quick signal to LLMs that you’re legitimate and trustworthy which can positively impact your content
• More in the next section…

6.3 Digital PR for GEO

AI tools aren’t just looking at your backlinks.

They’re also paying attention to where your brand is mentioned — even without a link.

This is called implied linking or brand mentions, and it’s part of modern authority building.

Tactics:

• Publish press releases when you launch major content or tools.
• Partner with industry influencers for co-marketing campaigns.
• Get featured in roundups and industry reports.

6.4 Thought Leadership Distribution

LLMs reward visible experts.

If you want AI to trust you, be everywhere your audience is — and be consistent.

Channels to Focus On:

• LinkedIn: Daily posts on niche expertise, sharing data, case studies, and insights.
• X (Twitter): Short-form tips, industry commentary, and conversations.
• YouTube: Video breakdowns of complex topics. AI can parse YouTube transcripts for factual data.

Repurposing for GEO Authority

1. Write a GEO-focused blog post.
2. Turn it into a LinkedIn carousel.
3. Record a YouTube summary.
4. Share key takeaways as a Twitter thread.
5. Pitch it to podcasts or industry newsletters.

Every piece becomes another potential data point for LLMs to trust.

6.5 Partnerships & Industry Citations

One of the fastest ways to build GEO authority is to borrow credibility from established names in your niche.

For EcomBalance, that meant:

• Partnering with eCommerce SaaS tools for joint webinars.
• Writing guest blogs for eCommerce SaaS companies.
• Offering expert quotes for accounting and ecommerce publications.
• Going on reputable podcasts focused on the eCommerce industry.

Each mention reinforced to LLMs:

“EcomBalance is a trusted source in eCommerce bookkeeping.”

6.6 Real-World Example: Authority Building for EcomBalance

6-Month GEO Authority Plan:

• Guest posts on publications like Shopify Plus Blog and Practical Ecommerce.
• Podcast appearances on places like Ecommerce Fuel and My Wife Quit Her Job.
• Backlinks from 15+ niche sites.
• Regular LinkedIn posting about eCommerce accounting challenges.

Result:

This worked in tandem with our technical GEO and content work to get EcomBalance appearing in ChatGPT and Perplexity answers for high-intent queries like:

• “Best bookkeeping service for ecommerce businesses”
• “Top accounting services for Shopify sellers”

Key Takeaways from Chapter 6

• Authority is the #1 GEO ranking factor after content inclusion.
• Backlinks, brand mentions, and thought leadership all contribute to AI trust.
• Partnerships and digital PR accelerate GEO authority growth.
• Be visible, be cited, and be associated with other authorities in your niche.

Chapter 7: Monitoring & Improving GEO Performance

7.1 Why Monitoring Matters for GEO

Most people publish content, hope it ranks, and never check back. That’s a huge mistake with GEO.

Generative engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are constantly updating:

• They pull from new data sources.
• They refresh their models.
• They tweak how they choose citations.

If you’re not monitoring your GEO performance, you could:

• Lose citations without realizing it.
• Miss new prompt opportunities your competitors are claiming.
• Keep outdated content that no longer matches AI’s preferred answer style.

The businesses that win long-term GEO visibility treat monitoring as an ongoing system, not a one-time check.

This is the same story as SEO as well. No one wins in SEO without analytics and tracking. It’s the same for GEO.

7.2 How to Check If You’re Ranking in AI Tools

Manual Prompt Testing

• Regularly search your target prompts in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Bing Copilot.
• Document exactly how you appear: cited link, brand mention, or paraphrased.
• Compare over time to see changes.

Pro Tip:

Do this from multiple accounts and devices and use incognito mode — results can vary based on user history and location.

Screenshot Evidence

• Keep a folder of screenshots showing your GEO citations.
• Date them so you can prove to clients, investors, or partners when you secured those placements.

Track Citations in Perplexity

• Perplexity always shows its sources.
• Check if you’re being cited for multiple prompts, not just one.

Monitor AI Overview in Google

• Test Google searches for your prompts and look for your site in AI-generated overviews.
• Note which of your pages are appearing and if they align with your target GEO content.

7.3 Tools for GEO Tracking

While GEO tracking is still a developing space, here’s what works now:

• Google Search Console → Track impressions for GEO-targeted pages.
• Ahrefs / SEMrush → Monitor keyword performance overlap with GEO prompts. And tap into their new AI Toolkits for GEO visibility. Both tools are developing features that allow you to track prompts, brand visibility, competitor monitoring and comparisons, and much more.
• Manual GEO Spreadsheet → A simple tracking tool to update and see how you’re performing in AI search results.

My GEO Tracking Spreadsheet Columns:

1. Prompt / Keyword
2. Platform (ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.)
3. Citation Type (Link / Mention / None)
4. Current Cited URL
5. Rank Position (if applicable)
6. Date Checked
7. Notes / Observations

I update and review this sheet monthly so I can see my GEO trends.

Then I take that data and create Action Steps off of it.

This is where the real magic happens in GEO.

7.4 How to Improve Your GEO Rankings

If You’re Not Cited at All:

• Review the top-cited sources and analyze their structure.
• Improve your content’s direct answer and clarity.
• Increase backlinks and authority in that niche topic.

If You’re Mentioned But Not Linked:

• Strengthen E-E-A-T signals (author bio, credentials, case studies).
• Add more structured data so AI is confident citing you directly.

If You’re Cited But Slipping in Frequency:

• Refresh content with updated stats, examples, and dates.
• Add new sections addressing related sub-questions.
• Promote the page again to earn new backlinks.

7.5 Continuous Improvement Process

Here’s my GEO improvement cycle at TrioSEO:

1. Check Rankings — Test target prompts across all major AI tools.
2. Identify Weak Spots — Look for prompts where we’ve lost visibility or haven’t broken through.
3. Optimize Content — Update answers, improve schema, add backlinks.
4. Re-Publish & Promote — Push fresh content out to distribution channels.
5. Re-Test After 30 Days — Track improvements in our GEO spreadsheet.

This cycle repeats every quarter. And it evolves as the LLMs continue to grow as well.

Don’t think that one cycle of analysis and updates is going to get you ranking #1 on LLMs.

7.6 Real-World Example: EcomBalance GEO Monitoring

When we first ranked in ChatGPT for “Best Ecommerce Bookkeeping Service,” we checked:

• Frequency of appearance
• Whether we were linked or just mentioned
• What other brands were listed

We noticed after 3 months our mention rate dipped.

We updated the article with new 2025 data, added 2 fresh case studies, and promoted it to industry blogs.

Within 1-2 months, we regained consistent citations and started seeing more leads.

The key is having systems in place to catch these changes quickly.

We monitor our clients’ GEO performance monthly at TrioSEO and make adjustments as needed.

Fair warning: We only accept businesses serious about dominating their market. If that’s you, let’s talk.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 7

• GEO is dynamic — rankings change faster than traditional SEO.
• Manual tracking is still the most accurate way to monitor citations.
• A structured improvement cycle keeps you visible long-term.
• Updating, promoting, and strengthening authority is the key to reclaiming lost rankings.

Chapter 8: GEO in 2026 and Beyond

8.1 The Search Landscape Is Changing Forever

I’ve been in SEO for over 15 years.

I’ve seen Google roll out major updates, kill traffic sources overnight, and completely change the way rankings work.

But 2026 feels different.

We’re watching a fundamental shift in how people find information:

• More users starting searches in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.
• AI models delivering direct answers instead of lists of links.
• Businesses losing visibility without ever seeing a drop in “Google rank.”

The old playbook — “rank in Google and you’ll get traffic” — isn’t enough anymore.

Now, you need to rank in the conversation, not just the search results.

The best outcome: Rank at the top of Google AND the top of ChatGPT & LLMs

8.2 What’s Next for LLMs

We’re only scratching the surface of what AI search will look like:

• More Connected AI Models → Tools like ChatGPT will expand real-time browsing, pulling fresher data more often.
• Monetization in AI Results → We expect sponsored answers and preferred partners in AI-generated responses, but have no idea how it will play out.
• Personalized Answer Streams → AI will remember a user’s preferences and recommend solutions based on their past interactions. This is already happening.
• Industry-Specific AI Assistants → Niche-focused LLMs for industries like law, healthcare, ecommerce, and finance.

For GEO, this means:

• Your content must be constantly refreshed to stay relevant.
• You’ll need to earn trust repeatedly, not just once.
• Brand authority will become the differentiator when AI starts monetizing results.

8.3 Risks & Challenges

Like any new channel, GEO has challenges:

1. Content Scraping Without Credit

• AI might use your content without linking back.
• This is why building brand recognition is critical — so users remember your name even if they don’t click.

2. Model Updates Breaking Your Rankings

• Just like Google updates can drop rankings, AI model updates can change who gets cited overnight. We expect this to happen over time.

3. Overcrowding

• Early movers have the advantage, but once the market catches on, competition will spike.

8.4 The Long-Term GEO Play

The businesses that win in GEO will:

• Own a niche → Become the go-to source for a specific topic.
• Play both games → Invest in traditional SEO and GEO so they control both channels.
• Focus on brand equity → Get cited because of name recognition, not just keyword targeting.
• Iterate endlessly → Treat GEO as an ongoing campaign, not a set-and-forget tactic.

8.5 Why Now Is the Time to Act

When I got EcomBalance ranking in ChatGPT in early 2025, it wasn’t because I outspent the competition.

It was because I acted before they even knew GEO existed.

Right now, all of your competitors aren’t thinking about GEO. Some may, but not all.

That will change — fast.

The brands that move today will:

• Lock in early rankings
• Build a reputation with AI tools
• Dominate the conversation before the rest of the market wakes up

This is exactly why we started offering GEO services to help businesses move quickly while the opportunity is still wide open. Start your GEO strategy.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 8

• Search is shifting from link lists to AI conversations.
• LLMs will evolve to be more connected, more personalized, and more monetized.
• GEO will get harder over time — early adoption is the biggest advantage you’ll ever have.
• The brands that win will combine traditional SEO, GEO, and brand building into one integrated strategy.

Chapter 9: Case Studies & Success Stories

9.1 EcomBalance GEO Results

In late 2024, I decided to test and start tracking GEO with my bookkeeping company, EcomBalance.

The goal:

• Rank in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini for high-intent ecommerce bookkeeping prompts.
• Drive qualified leads without spending more on ads.
• Measure revenue impact from AI-generated citations.

Step 1: GEO Keyword & Prompt Research

We identified prompts like:

• “What’s the best bookkeeping service for eCommerce businesses?”
• “Bookkeeping for Shopify stores”
• “Cash vs accrual accounting for ecommerce”
• “Best bookkeeping services for Amazon sellers doing $1M+”

These were high-intent, niche-specific, and underserved in AI answers. Prompts we wanted to be appearing for as more people started using ChatGPT for research.

Step 2: Content Creation

• Direct answers at the top of every page.
• Structured H2s, bullet points, and FAQ schema.
• Authority signals: case studies, client results, and author bios.

Step 3: Authority Building

• Guest posts on ecommerce SaaS blogs.
• Podcast appearances targeting ecommerce founders.
• Backlinks from relevant industry sites.

Step 4: Monitoring & Adjustments

• Checked prompts monthly across all LLMs.
• Refreshed stats and examples regularly.
• Added new related prompts as opportunities emerged.

The Results:

• Ranked in ChatGPT for multiple high-intent ecommerce bookkeeping prompts
• Cited in Perplexity for ecommerce bookkeeping queries.
• 25+ leads directly traced back to GEO placements.
• $10,000+ in new revenue within the first few months.

The best part?

These leads were pre-qualified — they already trusted us because AI recommended us.

Today, we continue to get new leads from ChatGPT every week and we’re continuing to improve our GEO to get even better rankings and results compared to competitors.

These results aren’t unique to us. We’re seeing similar success with clients across different industries who implement these same strategies.

Apply for our GEO program.

9.2 Agency Example: “Best Amazon PPC Agency”

An Amazon PPC agency wanted more leads through ChatGPT.

Approach:

• Targeted specific prompts like “best ppc agencies for amazon sellers doing $1M+ per year”.
• Updated already existing content on their website focused on Amazon PPC services.
• Built relevant and high authority backlinks to their Amazon PPC website.
• Researched AI sources and reached out to get the client added into “Best of” lists focused on Amazon PPC.
• Repurposed 1 blog article per week into a high value Reddit post.

Results:

• Cited in ChatGPT and Gemini AI Overviews for Amazon PPC related prompts.
• New leads actively interested in hiring an Amazon PPC agency for their growth.

9.3 Why These Case Studies Matter

These examples prove three important things about GEO:

1. It Works Across Industries

• From SaaS to agencies to services like EcomBalance.

2. It Brings Pre-Qualified Leads

• AI recommendations carry trust. Prospects arrive already warmed up.

3. It’s Faster Than Traditional SEO

• You can start seeing results in months, not years, especially with high-intent prompts.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 9

• GEO works for any business where buyers are asking questions in AI tools.
• The process is consistent: research → content → authority → monitoring.
• Early adopters will secure prompts before competitors even realize the opportunity.

Chapter 10: Implementing GEO in Your Business

10.1 Why Most Businesses Fail to Execute GEO

The GEO opportunity is huge — but most companies aren’t taking full advantage.

Here’s why:

• They wait too long → By the time they move, competitors already own the top prompts.
• They treat it like SEO → GEO requires different research, structure, and monitoring.
• They lack the right team → It’s not just “content writing” — it’s research, authority building, and technical optimization combined.

The truth?

If you want to rank in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini consistently, you need a system and an intelligent team to execute.

10.2 The TrioSEO GEO Implementation Framework

At TrioSEO, we use a 5-phase process to get businesses ranking in AI tools and driving revenue from those rankings.

Phase 1: Research & Strategy

• Map high-intent prompts & GEO keywords for your niche.
• Identify the current AI-cited sources.
• Score opportunities based on revenue potential.

Output: A GEO keyword & prompt strategy document with prioritized targets.

Phase 2: Content Creation & Optimization

• Write LLM-friendly, structured content using the GEO framework:

1. 1. Direct answer at the top
   2. Logical H2/H3 headings
   3. Bullet points, lists, and tables
   4. FAQ sections with schema

• Ensure E-E-A-T signals are baked into every page.

Output: Fully optimized GEO content ready for publishing.

Phase 3: Authority Building

• Backlink outreach to relevant industry sites.
• Podcast guest appearances and industry collaborations.
• Digital PR campaigns to build brand mentions.
• Backlink outreach from proven sources in AI LLMs.
• Consistent high value Reddit posts.

Output: Domain and brand authority strong enough to win AI trust.

Phase 4: Technical Optimization

• Schema markup for FAQs, articles, and how-to content.
• Site speed, mobile optimization, and security updates.
• Internal linking to form topical authority clusters.

Output: A technically clean, AI-friendly website architecture.

Phase 5: Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Monthly prompt testing across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude.
• Updating content with new stats, examples, and subtopics.
• Expanding into new prompt opportunities.

Output: Sustained GEO rankings that adapt to AI model changes.

10.3 Your GEO Starter Checklist

If you want to start implementing GEO right now, here’s your 10-step quick-start plan:

1. Identify 10–20 high-intent prompts in your niche.
2. Document which AI tools cite competitors for those prompts.
3. Create content using the LLM-First Content Framework.
4. Add FAQ schema to make answers AI-friendly.
5. Build at least 5 niche-relevant backlinks to each GEO page.
6. Improve site speed and mobile performance.
7. Publish and promote GEO pages across multiple channels.
8. Test prompts in AI tools every 30 days.
9. Refresh content quarterly.
10. Expand to new prompts as you gain authority.

We’re not talking rocket science here, but you’ve got to be consistent.

And you need a well thought out strategy to get you GEO results.

Most businesses fail at one of those two important factors.

10.4 Should You DIY or Hire an Agency?

You can do GEO yourself if you have:

• An SEO strategist
• A skilled content writer
• A technical SEO specialist
• A digital PR & outreach resource

If you don’t have those in-house, GEO becomes slow and inconsistent.

That’s where a specialized partner like TrioSEO comes in — we’ve already built the systems and know what works.

Hire us for the heavy lift while you stay focused on other areas of your business.

Receive weekly updates showing how your GEO and SEO is growing.

Talk with leads as they come in from our GEO and SEO efforts.

Get started with our team.

10.5 How TrioSEO Can Help You Win at GEO

We’ve done it for EcomBalance and clients in SaaS, B2B services, and agencies.

We’ll:

• Research the exact prompts your audience is using in AI tools.
• Create content designed to be cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini.
• Build your authority so LLMs trust and recommend you.
• Continuously monitor and improve your rankings.
• Keep you informed about GEO updates and how we’re addressing them.

10.6 The Next Step

The GEO opportunity is in its early days — the brands that move now will dominate the conversation for years to come.

If you want to:

• Lock in early rankings in AI tools
• Get leads from ChatGPT and Perplexity
• Build a defensible competitive advantage

Then it’s time to act.

Apply for a GEO Audit with TrioSEO: https://trioseo.com/audit

We’ll show you exactly where you can rank, how to do it, and what it will take to start seeing results in 90 days or less.

No cost for the audit. Just sign up and we’ll be in touch!

Note: Limited spots available – we only work with businesses ready to commit to long-term growth.

Key Takeaways from Chapter 10

• GEO requires a systematic process — research, content, authority, technical, and monitoring.
• Early action is your best competitive edge.
• TrioSEO’s proven framework gets results faster and with less guesswork.

Conclusion: The GEO Advantage Is Yours to Claim

As we’ve said, search is shifting.

And it’s happening faster than most people realize.

We’ve moved from:

• Keyword stuffing → content quality
• Blue links → featured snippets
• And now, search results → AI-generated answers

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the next frontier.

It’s where your buyers are looking for answers before they even open Google. Or in addition to Google.

And right now, most of your competitors aren’t even thinking about it.

It’s time to act and there’s no point in waiting for it to become more popular.

Why This Matters

If you take only one thing from this book, let it be this:

The brands that act early on GEO will dominate AI search visibility for years.

The strategies you’ve just learned — from GEO keyword research to authority building to monitoring and improvement — are the exact ones I’ve used to:

• Rank in ChatGPT for EcomBalance
• Generate 25+ high-quality leads
• Drive $10K+ in revenue without additional ad spend

And that’s just the beginning.

What to Do Next

If you’re serious about making GEO part of your growth strategy:

1. Start Small but Start Now

• Pick 3–5 high-intent prompts.
• Create structured, authoritative content for them.

2. Commit to the Process

• GEO isn’t a one-and-done play.
• Monitor, improve, and expand your footprint over time.

3. Decide on DIY vs. Partnering

• If you have the team, start in-house.
• If not, bring in a partner like TrioSEO who’s done it before and knows the path.

Final Thought

The future of search won’t be decided on page one of Google.

It will be decided inside AI conversations, whether that’s ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Google’s own AI Mode.

In those conversations, you have two options:

• Be invisible and let AI recommend your competitors.
• Be the trusted name AI puts in front of your buyers every time.

You already have the roadmap.

The only question is whether you’ll act before your competitors do.

Let’s get you ranking in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini — and turning those citations into revenue.

Apply for Your GEO Audit with TrioSEO