Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the strategy of optimizing your content and digital presence for inclusion in the outputs of generative AI systems—platforms that don’t just rank content, but compose answers, recommendations, and summaries using large language models (LLMs). This includes tools like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and voice-first interfaces like Alexa and Siri. In a GEO world, your content isn't just indexed—it’s repurposed by AI into direct answers. Winning here means structuring your brand to be cited, surfaced, and trusted by machines. At Xponent21, we’re leading the industry in GEO—helping ambitious brands gain first-mover advantage in the generative web. In this category, we break down the tactics and technologies that make that possible: schema-enhanced content architecture, question-first strategy, entity-level authority building, and the optimization techniques that influence how and when generative engines use your expertise. If you want your brand to be part of the answers AI delivers to millions, GEO isn’t optional—it’s foundational. This is where that strategy takes shape.
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From SEO to AEO: The Wake-Up Call Businesses Need to Survive the AI Search Shift

June 4, 2025
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Will Melton
Search engines aren’t gateways anymore. They’re filters—and AI is the one deciding what gets through. It determines what people see when they search, how answers are framed, and which brands stay visible. That shift has made traditional SEO feel slower, less reliable, and harder to measure in real time. If your business isn’t actively working to be recognized across AI-powered…

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Screenshot of Google Marketing Live 2025 announcement of ads in Google AI search results.

Ads Are Now in AI Search: How Google’s AI Mode Redefines SEO and Paid Visibility

May 27, 2025
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Will Melton
We knew it was coming: Google’s 2025 Marketing Live confirmed that AI search results will now include ads, changing the game for marketers. Google announced that its new AI Overviews (AI-generated search summaries) will now include Search and Shopping ads on desktop, and that the recently launched AI Mode in Google Search will also show ads. In practice, this means…

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Screenshot from Google's live stream of Google I/O showing off AI Mode

Google’s AI Mode Just Changed Everything. Here’s What Businesses Need to Know

May 21, 2025
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Will Melton
After 27 years of Google, the era of search is over. Google’s launch of AI Mode—its full generative search experience—marks the official end of traditional search as we knew it. If you’ve built your business on organic traffic from Google, it’s past time to reassess everything. This is not a drill. It’s the acceleration of a trend that’s been in…

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AI Overview Example of "AI Search Optimization" Showing Xponent21 as the Top Source

10 Leading AI SEO Agencies Helping Brands Rank in AI Search and Beyond

May 12, 2025
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Will Melton
Your organic traffic has taken a dump, search visibility dropped off a cliff, and paid search ads cost more but produce fewer leads. You have an agency, but they have no idea what’s happening and when you ask them for their plan to compete in the age of AI search, they give you blank stares or point to irrelevant data…

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Cartoon of a robot responding to a man's prompt with autonomous decisions and purchases.

AI SEO Strategies for Marketing Leaders: A Practical Guide to Achieving Top Citations in AI

April 19, 2025
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Will Melton
As search experiences continue to evolve, one thing is clear: content that gets pulled into AI-generated responses isn’t just optimized—it’s intelligently structured, deeply authoritative, and incredibly human-centric.​ Implementing effective AI SEO strategies is crucial in this landscape. AI search tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Microsoft’s Copilot, as well as Perplexity, Claude, and ChatGPT, prioritize clear, well-organized content…

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Xponent21 Launches Full Suite of AI SEO Solutions to Help Brands Dominate AI Summaries and Top Citations

March 18, 2025
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W Melton
By Xponent21 Team As global search traffic continues to decline and AI-generated summaries reshape the way users receive information, Xponent21 is proud to announce the launch of a full suite of AI SEO solutions built to help brands lead in this rapidly evolving digital landscape. Traditional SEO alone no longer delivers the impact it once did. With Google’s AI Overviews,…

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Cover image for Part 3 of the AI SEO Content Accelerator series by Xponent21, titled 'Conduct In-Depth AI Search Research' with purple gradient background and photo of Will Melton, CEO.

The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 3: Conduct In-Depth AI Search Research

March 13, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success AI-powered search isn’t just changing how people find information—it’s changing what they find. Unlike traditional search, which relies heavily on keywords and backlinks, AI-driven results prioritize context, conversational language, and authoritative sources. If you want your content to show up in AI-generated responses, you need to understand exactly how…

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Cover image for Part 4 of the AI SEO Content Accelerator series by Xponent21, titled 'Set a Clear, Measurable Goal' with purple gradient background and photo of Will Melton, CEO.

The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 4: Set a Clear, Measurable Goal

March 12, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success AI search success isn’t about producing more content—it’s about creating the right content and tracking its impact. Without a clear goal, you risk publishing articles that might rank but don’t drive meaningful business results. By setting specific, measurable objectives, you ensure that every piece of content you create serves…

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Cover image for Part 5 of the AI SEO Content Accelerator series by Xponent21, titled 'Build a High-Impact AI SEO Strategy' with purple gradient background and photo of Will Melton, CEO.

The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 5: Build a High-Impact AI SEO Strategy

March 11, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success Now that you have the foundation, research, and goals in place, it’s time to develop a content strategy designed for AI-driven search. AI doesn’t just evaluate individual pieces of content—it assesses how your entire content ecosystem is structured. To be recognized as an authority, your strategy must ensure that…

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Cover image for Part 6 of the AI SEO Content Accelerator series by Xponent21, titled 'Create and Publish AI-Optimized Content' with purple gradient background and photo of Will Melton, CEO.

The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 6: Create and Publish AI-Optimized Content

March 10, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success With a clear strategy in place, it’s time to execute. AI search engines prioritize structured, authoritative, and conversational content that delivers value. To rank in AI-generated results, your content must be optimized for credibility, clarity, and AI comprehension. Write for E-E-A-T: Establish Authority AI prioritizes content that demonstrates Experience,…

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