Visible in AI answers while your competition is still optimizing for Google

GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization. It's about becoming discoverable in AI answers from tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, SearchGPT, and Claude. While SEO helps you rank higher in Google listings, GEO ensures that AI systems mention, cite, and recommend your company when people ask questions. This is important because 46% of internet users already use AI for searching in addition to Google, and that percentage is growing by 127% annually. Companies starting now will build a lead.

SEO optimizes for algorithms and search result rankings. You aim for positions 1-3 among thousands of competitors. GEO optimizes for conversations and context. You want to be mentioned in the single answer that AI provides. SEO uses keywords and backlinks; GEO uses entity optimization and citation strategy. SEO measures rankings; GEO measures how often your company appears in AI answers. Both strategies complement each other and can run in parallel.

Implementing a complete GEO strategy takes 6-8 weeks. Week 1-2: audit and opportunity scan. Week 3-4: entity optimization and structured data. Week 5-6: creating conversational content. Week 7-8: citation strategy and authority building. This is followed by continuous monitoring and optimization. Initial results are often seen within 3-4 weeks as AI systems pick up your new content.

GEO projects start from €2,500 for a basic implementation for small businesses. Complete strategies for larger organizations range between €5,000-€15,000. Monthly guidance starts from €750/month. The investment depends on your sector, competition, and objectives. We always start with a free GEO scan to identify opportunities and propose a realistic investment. ROI primarily comes from building a lead while competition is still absent.

Technically, you can do GEO yourself, but it requires specific expertise. You need to understand how AI systems interpret content, how entity optimization works, what structured data is needed, and how to build authority. Most businesses lack the time, knowledge, or both. An agency like ClickForest has experience with what works and what doesn't, saving you trial-and-error and implementing faster. Doing it yourself is possible, but takes 3-4 times longer than with expert help.

We focus on ChatGPT (200 million users), Perplexity (the fastest-growing AI search engine), SearchGPT (OpenAI's search engine), and Claude (Anthropic's AI assistant). These four cover over 80% of professional AI search traffic. We also indirectly optimize for Google's SGE (Search Generative Experience) and Microsoft Copilot. All platforms use similar principles: entity recognition, citation from authoritative sources, and structured data.

We monitor where and how often your company appears in AI answers. Specifically, we test 50-100 relevant questions in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and SearchGPT and track whether you are mentioned, quoted, or recommended. Metrics include: citation rate (how often mentioned), position in answer (early or late in the answer), context quality (correct information), and authority signals (positioned as an expert). Monthly reports include concrete examples and growth figures.

Absolutely. Local businesses even have an advantage because competition in AI answers is still minimal. People ask ChatGPT for "best accountant Antwerp" or "reliable plumber Ghent." Through local entity optimization and structured data, you become discoverable for these queries. Combine GEO with Google Business Profile and local SEO for maximum results. Many Belgian SMEs can now become market leaders in AI visibility within their region.

No, GEO does not replace SEO; it complements it. Google remains dominant for search, but AI tools are growing rapidly. Ideally, both strategies should be pursued in parallel. Many SEO tactics also help GEO (strong content, authority, structured data). The difference: SEO optimizes for rankings, GEO for citations. Budget wisdom: split 70% SEO / 30% GEO when starting, shifting to 50/50 as AI search grows. Companies that do both dominate online visibility.

Three reasons. One: minimal competition. 95% of Belgian businesses are not yet doing anything with GEO. Starting early means building a lead. Two: behavioral change. AI search traffic is growing by 127% annually. The market is shifting now. Three: building authority takes time. AI systems remember who they have cited previously. If you start now, you will build months of lead over competitors who only begin a year from now. The window is closing fast.

Conversational content that answers real questions works best. FAQ pages, how-to guides, expert interviews, and case studies are effective. Think in natural language: "How do I choose a..." instead of "Best tips for...". In-depth articles (1500+ words) with source references and expert quotes perform better than short blogs. Also important: structured data (schema markup), clear headings, and context-rich introductions that help AI understand your expertise.

Initial signs appear within 3-4 weeks as AI systems index your new content. Measurable results (being regularly cited) after 6-8 weeks. Significant authority and consistent appearance in AI answers after 3-4 months. GEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Advantage: once set up, it continues to work. AI systems will keep citing you once they recognize you as an authority, unlike Google ads which stop as soon as your budget runs out.

Entity optimization makes your company recognizable as a specific entity to AI systems. This means: consistent name, address, and contact (NAC) details everywhere online, structured data (schema.org markup), clear expertise positioning, and linking to known entities. For example: "ClickForest" must have the same name everywhere, be connected to "digital marketing agency," "Belgium," "Frederiek Pascal," and be mentioned on authoritative platforms. AI then understands who you are, what you do, and when you are relevant to mention.

No, quite the opposite. GEO is about expertise and authority, not budgets. A small specialist with strong thought leadership content is mentioned more often than a large company with generic content. AI systems look at content quality, source citations, and expert positioning. Small businesses can now build authority in niche topics before large players catch on. It's fairer than Google SEO, where backlinks and domain authority dominate.

Short term: little impact. Google continues to work, your SEO still yields results. Medium term (6-12 months): you miss opportunities while competitors build authority in AI answers. Long term (1-2 years): a structural disadvantage. Behavioral change accelerates, more people search using AI, and your competitors become the standard references. Catching up will become more expensive and difficult. Compare it to companies that didn't think they needed a website in 2010.