SEO vs GEO: being found in Google and in AI answers

SEO and GEO are often mentioned in the same breath, but they answer different questions. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) decides whether your website ranks in Google's search results. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) decides whether AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews mention or cite your business when someone asks them a question.

Both matter, because your customers now use both. This article explains the difference, where the two overlap and how to approach them on a Wix website.

What SEO does

SEO is about ranking in the list of search results. A visitor types a query, sees ten links and clicks one. Search engines decide the order based on relevance, quality and technical signals.

• Content: pages that answer the searcher's question better than competing pages.
• Technology: fast loading, mobile-friendly pages, clean URLs and correct indexing.
• Authority: links and mentions from other trusted websites.
• Local SEO: for businesses that serve a region, a complete Google Business Profile, consistent contact details and location pages.

The result of good SEO is a visitor on your website. You measure it in rankings, organic traffic and enquiries.

What GEO does

GEO is about being part of the answer itself. When someone asks an AI assistant "which agency can migrate my Wix site?", the assistant writes an answer and may name a few businesses or sources. GEO increases the chance that your business is one of them, described correctly.

• Clear, factual content: short, direct answers to real questions, with facts that are easy to quote.
• Structured data: schema markup that tells machines who you are, what you offer and where.
• Consistent information: the same name, services and facts on your website, profiles and directories.
• Expertise and trust: named authors, real reviews and references to your work.

The result of good GEO is often not a click but a mention: the AI answer recommends or quotes you. That builds recognition, and many users click through to check the source.

The differences at a glance

• Where you appear: SEO in the list of search results; GEO inside the AI-generated answer.
• What counts: SEO rewards relevance, technology and links; GEO rewards clear facts, structure and consistency.
• What you measure: SEO in rankings and clicks; GEO in mentions and citations in AI answers, plus referral traffic from AI tools.

Where SEO and GEO overlap

GEO does not replace SEO. AI answer engines often draw on pages that already rank well and are technically sound. A fast, well-structured website with helpful content is the foundation for both. The difference lies mainly in how you write and mark up that content: GEO asks for even more directness, clear definitions and verifiable facts.

How to approach both on Wix

Wix Studio and Wix Harmony provide the building blocks for both strategies:

• Use the Wix SEO settings for titles, meta descriptions, URLs and redirects.
• Add structured data for your organisation, services, articles and FAQs.
• Write pages around the questions your customers actually ask, with the answer in the first paragraphs.
• Use the CMS for location or service pages when you serve several regions, without duplicating content.
• Keep your business details identical on your website, Google Business Profile and other profiles.
• Monitor Core Web Vitals and fix slow pages.

Which should you prioritise?

Start with a solid SEO foundation: without a technically sound, findable website, GEO has little to build on. Then strengthen your content and structured data so AI engines can understand and quote you. If you serve a specific region, include local SEO from the start.

How FLOR-IT can help

FLOR-IT builds and optimises websites on Wix Studio and Wix Harmony, with SEO and GEO as part of the work rather than an afterthought. Want to know how visible your business is in Google and in AI answers? Book an intro call and we'll look at your site together.