While searching on Google, you might have noticed this box pop up for some of your results.
This feature, called “AI Overview” could very well be the new way that your users will be looking for results. According to sources, Google displays a Search Generative element for 86% of all search queries, yet only 4.5% of these URLs are from a first-page result. This stat shows that SEO isn’t what we’ve grown used to over the last 10 years; it’s a new world that marketers must adapt to quickly.
As search behavior goes beyond traditional results pages to AI-generated summaries and answers, the strategies to ensure content visibility must evolve too. That’s why we wrote this blog to help you use AI to beat AI, and get featured in the AI overview box using AI agents.
Understanding Generative Experience Optimization (GEO)
Generative Experience Optimization (GEO) refers to the process of adapting content to be effectively discovered, interpreted, and prioritized by AI systems like Google's AI Overviews, as well as chatbots with web browsing capabilities like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and.
Unlike traditional SEO that focuses on ranking web pages in search results, GEO involves optimizing content specifically for AI-driven search engines that generate comprehensive, conversational responses by synthesizing information from multiple sources.
The key difference lies in the user experience: traditional search engines provide a list of links for users to explore, while generative search engines deliver complete, conversational answers with inline citations from various sources. This transformation is reshaping how users interact with search engines and, consequently, how marketers need to approach content optimization.
How to Get Your Blog to Appear in Generative Search
To optimize your blog content for generative search experiences, focus on these key strategies:
- Statistical Backing: Include relevant data points throughout your content. Research shows that adding statistics can improve visibility by up to 40% in generative engine responses.
- Source Citations: Incorporate references to authoritative sources. This adds credibility to your content and increases the likelihood of being included in AI-generated responses.
- Expert Quotations: Feature quotes from industry experts and thought leaders, which can enhance your content's authority and depth.
- Content Structure: Organize information with clear headings, bullet points, and numbered lists to make content easily readable by both humans and AI systems.
- Contextual Relevance: Ensure your content directly addresses user queries and intent with information that goes beyond surface-level coverage.
For marketers, this gives a handy list of instructions to follow. First, structure your content to provide clear and concise answers to specific questions. You can find this using people also ask APIs or Ask Yarnit. Second, understand the different types of queries on SEO such as informational, navigational, or transactional and tailor content accordingly.
Improve fluency and simplify complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy or depth. At the same time, don’t forget about your traditional SEO practices like site speed, mobile optimization, and structured data. It’s also worth it to incorporate natural language patterns and conversational queries that match how people actually speak to AI assistants.
Role of AI Agents in GEO
AI agents can help you climb the mountain of GEO, and are the bridge between traditional SEO practices and the optimization of generative search engines.AI agents can provide recommendations specifically designed for visibility in generative search results.
Take an instance where you give a team of AI agents a blog. The agents will:
- Evaluate content for contextual relevance and comprehensiveness
- Identify opportunities to enhance credibility through citations and statistics
- Analyze language patterns to ensure optimal fluency and readability
- Monitor performance in generative search results and suggest improvements
- Simulate how generative engines will interpret and utilize your content
Thanks to their intrinsic knowledge of SEO guidelines, AI agents excel at integrating established SEO principles with emerging GEO requirements.
While traditional keywords remain important, AI agents can identify conversational queries and long-tail phrases that align with how users interact with generative search platforms. They can then suggest customizations that make your content more relevant to specific audience segments, enhancing its value in personalized search experiences.
As generative engines evolve, AI agents can continue to provide relevant guidance on emerging best practices and algorithm changes.
How to Use Ask Yarnit for GEO
Step 1: The Ask
Begin by submitting your blog content to Ask Yarnit with a detailed prompt that outlines your GEO objectives:
- Specify your target audience and add the audience profile from the brand hub
- Identify key questions your content should answer
- Define your content goals, like appearing in GEO
- Include any industry-specific considerations
Try this prompt
"Analyze the attached blog post on [topic] and suggest GEO improvements to increase visibility in generative search engines. Do a comprehensive keyword research to find out people also ask queries and long-tail keywords. Use the given brand voice and audience profile."
Step 2: The Solution
Ask Yarnit's specialized AI agents will then provide tailored GEO suggestions, such as:
- Incorporating certain statistics
- Suggesting long-tail keywords to be integrated
- Adding on an FAQ section to target natural language queries
Step 3: Behind the Scenes Feature
Ask Yarnit's Behind the Scenes (BTS) feature provides unique insights into how generative search engines might process and utilize your content:
The BTS feature helps you understand not just what to optimize, but why – giving you deeper insights into the mechanics of generative search visibility
Conclusion
As search users go beyond just a list of links to AI-generated answers, marketers must adapt their strategies to maintain visibility. Generative Experience Optimization is the evolution of SEO, requiring an understanding of how AI processes, interprets, and synthesizes content.
The good news is that many GEO principles align with what has always been considered best practice: creating high-quality, authoritative content that genuinely serves your audience. The difference lies in understanding how AI interprets information and adjusting your approach accordingly.
By using AI marketing teams like Ask Yarnit, marketers can go through this transition effectively, ensuring their content remains visible and valuable, even as more people use AI-driven search. Begin optimizing your content for generative search experiences today, before your competitors do – your organic traffic depends on it.
