SEO vs GEO. What every new business needs to know to rank on Google.

So, you’ve just launched your business, and now you’re Googling things like “how do I rank in Google?” and getting hit with acronyms like SEO and GEO.

It feels like there is lots to learn, but honestly, there is not that much. 

Let’s break it all down in simple terms so you can focus on growing your business.

First things first – how does Google even work?

When someone types a question or keyword into Google—like “best surfboards NZ”—Google quickly searches through billions of pages to find the most relevant and reliable results.

How does it decide what shows up? That’s where SEO (and now, GEO) comes in.

Sponsored ads vs organic ranking – what’s the deal.

When you Google something, the first few results often have a little label that says “Sponsored.” That means businesses are paying to be there with Google Ads.

Everything below that? Those are organic results—they earned their spot by convincing Google their content is high quality and relevant.

Both types of results are valuable, but organic traffic tends to be more trusted, long-lasting, and cheaper in the long run (because you’re not paying per click).

Both require an understanding of SEO — and now, also GEO.

What is SEO

SEO = Search Engine Optimization.

In everyday language? SEO is how you help Google understand what your website is about so it can show it to the right people.

Think of SEO like tuning a guitar. If your website is “in tune” (clear content, fast loading, mobile-friendly, keyword-optimised), Google’s more likely to feature it in search results.

Why SEO is important

• It helps you show up organically in searches

• It makes your Google Ads cheaper and more effective

• It builds trust with both Google and your customers

Whether you’re a cafe in Wanaka or launching an online store in Auckland, SEO is a foundational skill for anyone starting a business and trying to learn how to rank in Google.

What is GEO?

GEO = Generative Engine Optimization. It’s the SEO of the AI era.

You know how people are now asking questions in tools like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience) and even voice assistants? GEO is about optimising your content for those engines, not just traditional Google search.

A quick look at where GEO came from

SEO was born when people realised they could influence Google search results. Now, as AI tools become a common way to search and discover brands, GEO is the next evolution. It’s not just about keywords anymore—it’s about context, content quality, and helpfulness in AI-powered results.

What is GEO in practice

GEO is the practice of optimising your content to appear in AI-generated answers, like when someone asks ChatGPT:

“What are the best eco-friendly phone case brands from New Zealand?”

With good GEO, your brand or website could be one of the suggestions the AI makes.

How GEO works

It involves:

• Writing high-quality, helpful content that answers real questions

• Using structured data and clear sources

• Being featured on trusted websites

• Making your brand voice and mission easy to summarise

  
  

SEO vs GEO – what’s the difference.

Here are four key things that set them apart:

1. What they stand for

• SEO = Search Engine Optimization

• GEO = Generative Engine Optimization

2. Where they show up

• SEO helps your website rank on Google’s search results

• GEO helps your content appear in AI-generated answers (like ChatGPT or Google’s SGE)

3. What they focus on

• SEO is about keywords, site structure, and technical setup

• GEO is about clarity, helpfulness, and being easily summarised by AI

4. Why they matter

• SEO gets you found in traditional search today

• GEO gets you featured in the future of search

Why you need both SEO and GEO.

Think of SEO as your foundation, and GEO as your future-proofing.

• SEO gets you found in traditional search results and supports your ad performance

• GEO prepares your business to show up in AI-powered answers, voice searches, and the next generation of search tools

If you’re just starting a business, don’t worry—you don’t need to master everything at once. But understanding that SEO helps people find you today, and GEO helps people find you tomorrow, is a great place to start.