Good SEO is good GEO: how to get found on Google and in AI answers

A slide at Google Search Central Live in Bengaluru put it simply: “Good SEO is good GEO.” For businesses in Laos, that is good news. You do not need to start again for AI search. You need strong basics, done well. Here is what GEO means and what to do first.

What is GEO?

GEO stands for generative engine optimization. It means making your business easy for AI tools to find, understand and mention when they answer a question. These tools include AI Overviews and AI Mode in Google, as well as assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini.

• SEO helps your pages appear in search results
• GEO helps your business appear inside AI answers, often with a link to the source

The customer’s question stays the same: “Who builds websites in Vientiane?” or “Which company can help us with digital marketing in Laos?” What changes is where they ask it and how the answer is shown.

Why good SEO is good GEO

Google’s guidance on AI features says: “There are no additional requirements to appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode.” A page needs to be indexed and eligible to appear in Google Search with a snippet, which is the same foundation SEO already builds. Google also says you do not need new AI text files or special schema markup to appear in these features.

Other AI tools use their own sources and methods, so results differ from one tool to another. But they all need content they can access and understand. That makes a sound website with clear answers the best place to start.

1. Make sure your site can be found

If search engines cannot crawl your pages, the rest of your work cannot help you. Ask your web team to check that:

• robots.txt and your hosting or CDN settings do not block crawling
• Your site is verified in Google Search Console
• Important pages are linked from your menu or from other pages

2. Give each service its own clear page

Describe what you offer in plain text on its own page: what it is, who it is for, where you work and how to get started. Information that appears only inside an image or a PDF is harder for search engines and AI tools to use. Keep your images, but repeat the key details in text.

3. Answer the questions customers really ask

Start with the questions your team hears on the phone, WhatsApp and Facebook. Give each important question a clear answer near the top of the page, then add the details.

• Use your customers’ words, not internal jargon
• Include real details, such as service areas, your process and what is included
• Update pages when your prices or services change

4. Publish in the languages your customers use

If your customers search in both Lao and English, give them proper pages in both. Translate each page in full and link the versions together, so search engines can show the right language to the right person.

5. Keep your business details consistent

Use the same business name, phone number and website everywhere. Google specifically recommends keeping your Business Profile information up to date. Our Google Business Profile checklist walks you through it step by step.

6. Show proof that you are real

Customers want evidence before they contact you, and Google asks for helpful, reliable content written for people.

• Show case studies and photos of your real work
• Collect genuine reviews, and never buy them
• Name the people behind your content and explain their experience
• Make sure any structured data matches what is visible on the page

7. Measure enquiries, not just rankings

Google includes traffic from its AI features in your overall Web search traffic in Search Console, so you will see it alongside your other search results. Check which pages bring clicks, then use Google Analytics to see which visits become enquiries.

Ask every new lead how they found you. You can also try asking AI tools the questions your customers ask. Answers vary, so look for patterns over time rather than judging from one result.

Be careful with guarantees

No one can guarantee that your business will appear in an AI answer. Google itself says that indexing and serving are not guaranteed. Be cautious with anyone selling secret tricks, pages of AI-written filler or fake reviews. Lasting visibility comes from useful pages and a business people trust.

Common questions

Is GEO the future of SEO?

GEO is part of where search is going, but it does not replace SEO. For Google’s AI features, the foundations are the same. The way people ask will keep changing, and businesses that are easy to find and understand will be ready for it.

Do I need separate SEO and GEO plans?

Usually not. Start with one plan that covers your website, content and Google Business Profile. Then add regular checks on how your business appears in AI tools.

Where should a small business start?

Start with your Google Business Profile and the page for your main service. Then answer your ten most common customer questions.

Want to know where your business stands today? Our free Digital Health Check reviews your Google profile, search visibility and website, and our SEO services can take it from there.