Your potential customers aren't just Googling anymore.

They're asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini for recommendations. And if your startup isn't appearing in those AI-generated answers, you're invisible to a rapidly growing audience.

This is where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) comes in. While traditional SEO focuses on ranking in search results, GEO ensures your brand gets mentioned and recommended when AI tools answer user questions.

For resource-constrained founders targeting EU and US markets, understanding GEO has become essential for staying competitive.

TL;DR

• GEO helps startups appear in AI-generated answers from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI tools—not just traditional search results.

• AI search adoption is accelerating: 78% of organizations used AI in 2024, and ChatGPT now has 700 million weekly active users.

• You don't need to start from scratch: GEO builds on solid SEO foundations you may already have.

• Five actionable steps you can implement this week: ensure technical accessibility, build brand mentions, create question-led content, test in AI tools, and track results.

• Startups have an advantage: agility and niche expertise make you well-positioned to win citations in AI answers.

What is GEO? (And why Founders should care)

Generative Engine Optimization is the practice of optimizing your content and online presence so AI tools cite your brand when answering user questions. Unlike traditional SEO, where success means ranking on Page 1 of Google, GEO success means becoming the solution AI platforms recommend directly in their responses.

Many founders ask: “Do I really need to care about this now?”

The short answer: Yes.

AI Mode search is no longer niche - 8% of US respondents now use ChatGPT as their primary search engine, up from just 1% in mid-2024. Your target customers, whether in Berlin, London, San Francisco, or Austin, are increasingly turning to conversational AI for product research, vendor comparisons, and buying decisions.

For founders with limited marketing budgets, this is good news. Large competitors may dominate traditional search through years of SEO investment, but AI platforms often prioritize fresh, authoritative content and genuine expertise over pure domain age. That means if you can demonstrate deep knowledge in your niche, you can still compete and often outrank larger players in AI answers.

How GEO differs from Traditional SEO

One common question is: “How is GEO different from SEO?”

Here’s the short version:

The key difference: AI tools don’t just look at your website. For example, Reddit is now one of the top sources for Google AI Overviews and Perplexity, while Wikipedia dominates ChatGPT citations. This means your visibility strategy must extend beyond your own domain.

And no, you don’t need to abandon SEO to focus on GEO - 77% of AI visibility still builds on SEO fundamentals. Think of GEO as the evolution of SEO: layering multi-platform authority and structured answers on top of what you’re already doing.

Why AI Visibility Matters for Startups and SMBs

Especially as a startup you might be wondering“Can we really compete in AI search against bigger players?”
Yes. And here’s why:

• Discovery happens everywhere. Customers don’t just Google anymore. They ask in Slack, Reddit, and AI chat. When AI tools recommend your product, you’re influencing buying decisions early.

• Lower acquisition costs. Being organically recommended by AI platforms saves ad spend and brings in warmer leads.

• Niche advantage. While sites with 50+ referring domains do get more AI traffic, smaller, specialized sites with better answers can still win. Your subject-matter expertise is your superpower.

• Future-proofing. AI adoption will only accelerate. Investing in GEO and AI Search Visibility now means you’re building visibility in channels that matter tomorrow.

5 Practical GEO Steps for Founders (With Limited Resources)

Step 1: Ensure Basic Technical Accessibility

Before AI tools can recommend you, they need to access and understand your content.

At a minimum:

• Make sure your site is crawlable and indexable (check robots.txt).

• Use HTTPS.

• Optimize for fast loading (under 2 seconds).

• Ensure mobile-friendliness.

• Support server-side rendering.

And if you find yourself wondering “Do I need schema markup for GEO?” Yes.

Adding Article and FAQ schema can increase citations by nearly 30%. Most CMSs have plugins that make this easy.

Step 2: Build Brand Mentions Across Platforms

AI platforms weigh authority by mentions, not just backlinks.

Where should you show up?

• Reddit and forums: Answer questions where your users are.

• LinkedIn: Share insights and engage in industry discussions.

• Roundups and comparison sites: Get listed alongside peers.

• Podcasts/publications: Even small appearances count as authoritative mentions.

The goal here isn’t spraying links everywhere but becoming a recognized, trusted voice in your niche through consistent, helpful contributions.

Step 3: Create Question-Led Content

AI platforms favor structured, extractable answers.

To align with that:

• Write in short, self-contained sections.

• Lead with the answer in 2–3 sentences.

• Use headings framed as questions your customers actually ask.

• Add original data and examples.

• Update content regularly (AI prefers freshness).

Many founders and marketing teams ask us what kind of content gets cited most.

The answer: direct, question-led content with data.

If your blog post reads like a useful FAQ, you’re already aligning with how AI pulls answers.

Step 4: Test Your Brand in AI Tools

You can’t optimize blind. Test weekly by asking AI tools:

• “What’s the best [category] tool for [use case]?”

• “Which startups help with [problem]?”

Check if you appear, what context you’re mentioned in, and how you stack up against competitors.

Initial improvements often show within 14–30 days, with more significant traction after ~60 days of consistent optimization.

Step 5: Track and Iterate

Start simple:

• Log 5–10 queries weekly across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI.

• Review monthly for patterns.

• Adjust quarterly based on what works and where competitors are winning.

Over time, you can upgrade to specialized GEO tracking tools. But in the early stages, a spreadsheet and consistent effort are enough.

Start building your AI Visibility today

GEO isn’t futuristic anymore, it is already shaping how customers find solutions.

The good news?

You don’t need a huge budget.

If you focus on being accessible, helpful, and visible across AI-friendly channels, you can outcompete bigger brands.

So don’t overthink it. Pick one of the five steps, optimize your site, answer questions on Reddit, refresh old posts, or run a brand test in ChatGPT and do it this week.

The smartest way is to use a smart tool to assist you. Scriptbee is the perfect platform to increase your AI Search Visibility. Book a free demo today and see the magic for yourself. 🐝