GEO glossaryLLM SEO
Foundations
What is LLM SEO?
Quick answer
LLM SEO is the practice of structuring content so large language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity can extract, trust and cite it inside their answers. It is another name for generative engine optimization (GEO): the goal is to be included in the AI's answer, not just to hold a ranking position.
Standard SEO asks whether Google will rank a page. LLM SEO asks whether an AI model will trust a passage enough to quote it. The difference matters because a search engine evaluates a whole page, while a language model lifts individual passages. A paragraph that only makes sense after reading the introduction is one the model cannot safely cite.
Most SEO groundwork still applies: a crawlable site, authority, and pages that match what people ask. What changes is the unit you write for (the self-contained passage), the success measure (being mentioned or cited in AI answers, tracked as Share of Model), and a few habits. Keyword stuffing, for example, performed worse than doing nothing in the original GEO research. You will also see the same practice called GEO, LLMO or AI search optimization. For the practical steps, see the GEO improvement checklist.
Frequently asked
Is LLM SEO the same as GEO?
In practice, yes. LLM SEO, GEO, LLMO and AI search optimization all describe structuring content so AI models can find, trust and cite it. The labels differ; the work is the same.
Does LLM SEO replace SEO?
No. AI answers still draw on pages that search systems can find and trust, so SEO groundwork remains the base. LLM SEO adds a layer on top: passages written to be quoted and a brand that is mentioned across the web.
How do I know whether LLM SEO is working?
Run a fixed set of buyer questions in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Overviews on a schedule, and track how often your brand is mentioned or cited compared with competitors.
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