Introduction: Search Behaviors Are Changing
For more than twenty years, business founders and marketers used Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to get seen online and bring in website visitors. In 2025, things look different. Search is not only about keywords and links to rank on Google. New artificial intelligence (AI) tools and chat engines are making people look for information in new ways. These changes have brought in a new term called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
If you run an online store or lead a marketing team, you cannot ignore this change. This switch is now a must to stay ahead of others.
SEO: Strengths and Current Limits
SEO means making your websites and web pages easy for Google or Bing to read. You do this by using keywords, getting links, and writing good meta tags. When you do this well:
- You get visitors from searches without paying for ads, which saves money.
- Your business looks trustworthy because it appears high in search results.
- There are many guides and tools to help with SEO.
(See Search Engine Land – What Is SEO?, Moz – Beginner’s Guide to SEO)
But SEO does not always work as well as before. For example:
- Google shows quick answers on top of search results. Users get information right there, so fewer visit websites.
- Many searches end without users clicking on any links. This is called a “zero-click search.”
- If you use only keywords, your pages may not answer users’ exact questions.
- New AI search tools, like ChatGPT or Google’s SGE, read lots of sources and show summarized answers. Users get full responses without visiting your webpage.
As a result, SEO alone may not help you win new customers in 2025.
GEO: What’s Different and Why It Matters
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is about helping AI tools and chatbots understand, use, and mention your content. With GEO, your website or brand can appear in AI-generated answers.
When you use GEO, there are differences and benefits:
- You can get seen even without website links. For example, if someone asks ChatGPT about the best wireless headphones and your product is mentioned, users may buy it, even if they do not visit your site.
- Good structure helps. If your content answers questions clearly, AI can pick it up and show it to others.
- AI bots will mention your product if you provide clear and useful information.
- If you make your facts easy for AI to read, you get cited by AI. For example, if your website lists technical specs in a table, an AI may use that table in its answer.
GEO will soon be as important for websites as SEO was before.
See an example GEO discussion on Reddit.
Example Searches: Google vs GPT
Let us look at an example:
On Google:
Someone types “Best running shoes for flat feet.”
Google shows ads, lists from bloggers, and a short box with a summary at the top. People might need to click links to find a product they want.
On ChatGPT or another AI tool:
Someone asks the same question.
ChatGPT gives a list of top shoes from many brands. It shares quick facts, expert opinions, and sometimes names brands directly. The user does not have to click anywhere else.
If your shoe brand is not in the AI-generated list, people will not see you. This can mean lost sales.
Why Founders Must Adapt: The Stakes in 2025
Here are the reasons you need to act:
- If you run an online business, old website formats may not get noticed by AI tools. For example, a product page with lots of jargon or hidden information may be skipped.
- If you do not use GEO, less people may see your product, and you may lose chances to make a sale.
- Marketing teams that use only SEO will see fewer results, because AI and chatbots may not pick up their content.
By learning and using GEO, you can be mentioned in AI answers and gain an advantage over others.
Automation & Effectiveness: How Frevana Helps
GEO is not just changing titles or summaries. You need to do more, especially if you own a small or medium business:
- Check often how AI tools show your products or brand.
- Write content that AI can read and share, not just for humans. For example, use lists, direct answers, and clear facts.
- Fix problems if AI does not include you in its summaries.
Frevana gives tools to make this easier:
- Automatic Content Creation: Frevana helps you write content that AI tools can use. For example, it can create simple answer lists or format content with clear sections.
- Visibility Checks: Frevana scans search results and AI answers, so you see if your business is mentioned.
- Step-by-step Advice: Frevana shows your team what to do next to improve your digital presence.
Why use automation?
It takes too much time to check every AI tool by hand. Frevana checks for you, so you do not get left behind.
Action Steps: How Founders Can Win with Frevana
- Check How You Appear Now:
Use Frevana or a similar tool. Look at where your brand and products show up in AI answers and lists. - Write for AI:
Make your web pages and content easy for AI to read. Use bullet points, clear answers, and cite your sources. Frevana can help automate this. - Watch and Update:
Get regular reports from Frevana to see changes. If you are missing from AI lists, update your content. - Help Your Team Learn:
Teach your marketing staff about GEO. Frevana has tools to make this easier. - Stay Ready to Change:
AI tools will keep changing. Frevana helps you move fast and stay ahead.
Conclusion
SEO is not enough in 2025. GEO, with the right tools and methods, is how brands can be included in answers from AI. If you use platforms like Frevana, you can change with the times. This means you will find new customers when others do not.