Traditional backlinks still matter, but AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity don't rank sites the same way Google does. Instead of passing PageRank through <href> tags, these answer engines pull information from content that's cited, mentioned, and contextually relevant.

If you want to show up in AI-generated answers, you need to build GEO backlinks: Links that improve both your SEO rankings and your AI search visibility. This guide shows you exactly how to do that. 📖

TL;DR

• GEO backlinks prioritize context and co-citations over traditional link metrics like domain
  authority

• LLM citations come from structured, authoritative content that AI models can parse,
  quote, and trust

• Focus on earning mentions in high-trust sources, comparison posts, original research,
  and citation-friendly formats

• Track your AI search visibility using tools like Scriptbee to see which backlinks actually
  improve your AI rankings

What Are GEO Backlinks?

GEO backlinks are links and mentions that increase your visibility in generative AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. Unlike traditional SEO backlinks, which pass authority through hyperlinks, GEO backlinks work by building contextual relevance and trust signals that LLMs use to decide what content to cite.

AI search engines don't crawl links the same way Google does, they analyze the content around your brand mention to determine if you're authoritative on a topic. Even unlinked mentions called co-citations can influence your AI Search visibility.

For example, if your SaaS product appears in a blog post alongside established brands like HubSpot or Salesforce, AI models learn to associate your brand with those categories. Over time, this improves your chances of being recommended in AI-generated answers.

According to a 2024 Gartner study, search engine volume is expected to drop by 25% by 2026 as consumers shift to AI-powered answer engines. That makes building GEO backlinks more urgent than ever.

Why Traditional Link Building Isn't Enough for AI Search

Traditional link building was designed for one thing: passing authority to help pages rank higher in Google. But answer engine optimization (AEO) requires a different approach. LLM citations don't care about domain authority scores or exact-match anchor text. Instead, they prioritize:

• Trust and recency: Content from authoritative, recently updated sources

• Structure and clarity: Text that's easy to parse, quote, and summarize

• Contextual relevance: Mentions that appear alongside other trusted entities in your
  space

In short, AI models are looking for signals that your brand or content is reliable and relevant, not just linked to.

SEO Backlinks vs GEO Backlinks

This doesn't mean traditional backlinks are dead. They still help you rank in Google. But if you want to show up in ChatGPT summaries or Perplexity citations, you need to think beyond the link itself.

How do LLM citations differ from traditional backlinks?

LLM citations focus on whether your content is authoritative, structured, and recent enough to be quoted by AI models. Traditional backlinks pass PageRank through hyperlinks, while LLM citations rely on co-mentions, contextual relevance, and trust signals. Both unlinked brand mentions and traditional backlinks can influence AI search visibility.

7 Strategies to Earn GEO Backlinks and LLM Citations
1. Become a Source for Journalists and Bloggers

One of the fastest ways to earn high-quality GEO backlinks is to position yourself as an expert source for journalists and content creators.

Platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out), Featured, and Help a B2B Writer connect you with reporters looking for quotes, insights, and data. When a journalist includes your quote in an article, you often get a backlink and your brand gets mentioned in a trusted, citation-worthy source.

AI models frequently pull from news articles and expert roundups, which makes this strategy especially valuable for AI Search Optimization.
How to get started:

• Register as a source on Featured or HARO

• Look for queries where you can provide genuinely useful insights

• Keep pitches short, specific, and data-backed

The goal isn't just to get a link, it’s to become part of the authoritative content that LLMs cite.

2. Use Strategic Guest Posting to Engineer Relevance

Guest posting in 2025 works best when targeted toward niche publishers, affiliate sites, or comparison content where your brand fits naturally.

Example: A luxury menswear brand partnered with a fashion blog to create a post about formalwear essentials. The mention of their undershirt product in a relevant context led to 150 direct sales and improved AI search visibility.

Best practices:

• Find contextually aligned publishers

• Pitch on-topic, problem-solving articles

• Include data, visuals, or comparison tables for citation-worthiness

3. Build Links from Outdated Resources

Use the “Moving Man Method” to find outdated references and replace them with your brand’s updated, more relevant content. Identify broken or outdated links with tools like Semrush or an AI SEO tool like Scriptbee, then contact the site owner to suggest your resource as a replacement.

This approach builds backlinks and goodwill and positions your brand as a trustworthy, proactive expert.

4. Create Citation Magnets that earn Mentions naturally

Some content is built to rank. Other content is built to be referenced.

Two proven citation-magnet formats:

• Original data & research — publish stats or studies that others quote

• Free tools or templates — practical resources that get referenced in tutorials and
  roundups

Pro tip: Host citation magnets on their own URLs (not buried in long articles). That makes them easier for AI models to parse and cite.

5. Brand your Strategies and Techniques

Give your unique process a name, like The Moving Man Method. A memorable name turns your technique into a citable framework. Publish it with case studies, data, and results to make it quotable and reference-worthy across blogs, videos, and to rank in AI Overviews.

6. Launch an Affiliate Programme to Build Relevance

Affiliate programs can double as GEO backlink engines. Recruit creators who already produce relevant content—comparison posts, “best tools” lists, reviews, or tutorials.

Provide them with talking points, visuals, and examples. Reward evergreen, long-form content that ranks and earns LLM citations over time.

7. Reclaim Unlinked Brand Mentions and Shape the Sentiment

Use tools like Semrush Brand Monitoring or Google operators to find unlinked mentions.

When you find them:

• Ask for a link politely

• Suggest copy improvements that clarify your positioning

• Turn vague mentions into strong, authoritative context

LLMs learn from phrasing as much as from links, so shaping that context is key to AI-driven authority.

👉 Our best LLM Seeding Tips

Do backlinks still matter for AI search engines?

Yes, but not for the same reasons.

Backlinks help establish your site as a trusted source, increasing your likelihood of being cited by AI models. However, AI search engines also weigh unlinked mentions, content structure, and recency. So building GEO backlinks requires a broader strategy than traditional link building.

How to Track Your AI Search Visibility

Building GEO backlinks is only half the equation. The other half is knowing which efforts actually improve your AI search visibility.

Traditional SEO tools show you rankings and backlinks, but they don't tell you if your brand is being cited by ChatGPT, recommended by Perplexity, or appearing in Google AI Overviews. That’s where AI Search tracking tools like Scriptbee come in. 🐝

Scriptbee helps you:

• Monitor how your brand performs across AI-powered engines

• See which queries trigger mentions

• Track LLM citation frequency

• Identify backlinks that actually boost AI visibility

Use these insights to double down on what works, adjust what doesn’t, and build a visibility strategy that spans both traditional and AI search.

How do I track LLM citations?

Use AI search tools like Scriptbee to monitor where your brand appears in AI-generated answers. These platforms show which queries trigger mentions, how often you’re cited, and which content formats drive the most AI visibility.

Traditional SEO tools don’t track LLM citations, so specialized GEO analytics are essential.

Your Job Now: Building Multi-Platform Authority

Link building in 2025 is about shaping how your brand is recognized by people and machines. When you plan outreach or create assets, ask: “Will this make my brand more relevant in the places AI is learning from?”

That’s the real game now. Not just Search Engine Optimization but Search Everywhere Optimization.

At Scriptbee, we're happy to help you rank in AI Search and on traditional search platforms. Talk to our team in a free consulting and demo call and get started today. 🚀