---
title: "What Is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?"
description: "Generative engine optimization (GEO) means shaping content so AI systems cite it in their answers. Where the term comes from, and how it differs from AEO."
url: https://kihanmarketing.com/glossary/generative-engine-optimization/
published: 2026-10-16
updated: 2026-10-16
author: "Kiran Dasgupta"
---

# Generative Engine Optimization

GEO, defined, and how it relates to AEO

Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the practice of shaping content so generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews, use it and cite it when they write an answer. The name comes from a 2023 research paper. In day-to-day marketing it overlaps almost entirely with answer engine optimization.

By [Kiran Dasgupta](https://kihanmarketing.com/kiran/), Founder and Lead Strategist

## Where does the term GEO come from?

It was coined in a research paper, [GEO: Generative Engine Optimization](https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.09735), first published on November 16, 2023. Its authors described generative engines that write answers from several sources, and tested which changes to a page made it more visible inside those answers. Agencies picked the name up from there. Our explainer, [what is GEO](https://kihanmarketing.com/what-is-geo-generative-engine-optimization/), covers it at more length.

## Why does GEO matter for a property management company?

Some owners shopping for a manager now ask an assistant to compare companies for them, and the answer names a handful. An assistant can only name a company whose pages state plainly what it manages, where, and how, in a form it can quote.

For example, an owner asks which companies manage small multifamily buildings in their city and what each one charges for. An answer engine cannot name a company whose site only says "full-service management". It can name one whose services page lists the property types it takes on and answers the fee question in plain words, even when the answer is that fees depend on the property.

## How is GEO different from AEO?

Mostly in name. AEO grew out of featured snippets and voice answers, while GEO comes from research on AI systems that write longer answers from several sources. The work is the same: clear answers, consistent facts, structured data, and pages other sites cite. Our post on [AEO vs GEO](https://kihanmarketing.com/aeo-vs-geo/) compares the two names in more detail.

## Related terms

- **Answer engine optimization.** [AEO](https://kihanmarketing.com/glossary/answer-engine-optimization/) is the more common name for the same work in local marketing.
- **AI Overviews.** [Google's AI answers](https://kihanmarketing.com/glossary/ai-overviews/) at the top of some search results.
- **llms.txt.** A [proposed file](https://kihanmarketing.com/glossary/llms-txt/) that gives AI tools a map of a site's most useful pages.
- **Owner leads.** The [inquiries from property owners](https://kihanmarketing.com/glossary/owner-leads/) that a management company's answers are written to win.

We do this work as [answer engine optimization](https://kihanmarketing.com/services/answer-engine-optimization/), and for management companies as part of [property management SEO](https://kihanmarketing.com/property-management-marketing/property-management-seo/).

## Keep reading

- [Answer Engine Optimization](https://kihanmarketing.com/services/answer-engine-optimization/): Getting your business named and quoted in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews, measured on a fixed set of questions.
- [Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)](https://kihanmarketing.com/glossary/answer-engine-optimization/): Getting a business named and quoted in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews.
- [Property Management SEO](https://kihanmarketing.com/property-management-marketing/property-management-seo/): SEO that brings owners to your management company and renters to your communities.