---
name: geo-fundamentals
description: Generative Engine Optimization for AI search engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity).
allowed-tools: Read, Glob, Grep
---

# GEO Fundamentals

> Optimization for AI-powered search engines.

---

## 1. What is GEO?

**GEO** = Generative Engine Optimization

| Goal                     | Platform                            |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| Be cited in AI responses | ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini |

### SEO vs GEO

| Aspect   | SEO           | GEO            |
| -------- | ------------- | -------------- |
| Goal     | #1 ranking    | AI citations   |
| Platform | Google        | AI engines     |
| Metrics  | Rankings, CTR | Citation rate  |
| Focus    | Keywords      | Entities, data |

---

## 2. AI Engine Landscape

| Engine         | Citation Style   | Opportunity           |
| -------------- | ---------------- | --------------------- |
| **Perplexity** | Numbered [1][2]  | Highest citation rate |
| **ChatGPT**    | Inline/footnotes | Custom GPTs           |
| **Claude**     | Contextual       | Long-form content     |
| **Gemini**     | Sources section  | SEO crossover         |

---

## 3. RAG Retrieval Factors

How AI engines select content to cite:

| Factor             | Weight |
| ------------------ | ------ |
| Semantic relevance | ~40%   |
| Keyword match      | ~20%   |
| Authority signals  | ~15%   |
| Freshness          | ~10%   |
| Source diversity   | ~15%   |

---

## 4. Content That Gets Cited

| Element                 | Why It Works         |
| ----------------------- | -------------------- |
| **Original statistics** | Unique, citable data |
| **Expert quotes**       | Authority transfer   |
| **Clear definitions**   | Easy to extract      |
| **Step-by-step guides** | Actionable value     |
| **Comparison tables**   | Structured info      |
| **FAQ sections**        | Direct answers       |

---

## 5. GEO Content Checklist

### Content Elements

- [ ] Question-based titles
- [ ] Summary/TL;DR at top
- [ ] Original data with sources
- [ ] Expert quotes (name, title)
- [ ] FAQ section (3-5 Q&A)
- [ ] Clear definitions
- [ ] "Last updated" timestamp
- [ ] Author with credentials

### Technical Elements

- [ ] Article schema with dates
- [ ] Person schema for author
- [ ] FAQPage schema
- [ ] Fast loading (< 2.5s)
- [ ] Clean HTML structure

---

## 6. Entity Building

| Action                     | Purpose              |
| -------------------------- | -------------------- |
| Google Knowledge Panel     | Entity recognition   |
| Wikipedia (if notable)     | Authority source     |
| Consistent info across web | Entity consolidation |
| Industry mentions          | Authority signals    |

---

## 7. AI Crawler Access

### Key AI User-Agents

| Crawler       | Engine          |
| ------------- | --------------- |
| GPTBot        | ChatGPT/OpenAI  |
| Claude-Web    | Claude          |
| PerplexityBot | Perplexity      |
| Googlebot     | Gemini (shared) |

### Access Decision

| Strategy     | When                       |
| ------------ | -------------------------- |
| Allow all    | Want AI citations          |
| Block GPTBot | Don't want OpenAI training |
| Selective    | Allow some, block others   |

---

## 8. Measurement

| Metric                          | How to Track      |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| AI citations                    | Manual monitoring |
| "According to [Brand]" mentions | Search in AI      |
| Competitor citations            | Compare share     |
| AI-referred traffic             | UTM parameters    |

---

## 9. Anti-Patterns

| ❌ Don't              | ✅ Do                  |
| --------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Publish without dates | Add timestamps         |
| Vague attributions    | Name sources           |
| Skip author info      | Show credentials       |
| Thin content          | Comprehensive coverage |

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> **Remember:** AI cites content that's clear, authoritative, and easy to extract. Be the best answer.

---

## Script

| Script                   | Purpose                           | Command                                        |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `scripts/geo_checker.py` | GEO audit (AI citation readiness) | `python scripts/geo_checker.py <project_path>` |