Main Topic:
How small local businesses can use SEO (Search Engine Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) together to rank, be cited, and get chosen in an AI-driven search world.
Key Points to Cover:
- Define SEO, AEO, and GEO in plain language and how they work together
- What’s changed in search: Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, Perplexity, zero-click answers, and shrinking organic real estate
- The new ranking goal: not just “rank,” but “be the answer” and “be cited” by AI systems
- SEO essentials for local businesses: technical health (crawlability, Core Web Vitals), on-page optimization, internal linking, and content depth
- Local SEO must-haves: Google Business Profile setup, categories, services, products, photos, Q&A, posts, NAP consistency, reviews
- AEO playbook: target real questions, write concise 40–60 word answers, create FAQs per service, add How-To and comparison content, optimize for featured snippets and People Also Ask
- Schema to support AEO and local: LocalBusiness, Service, FAQPage, HowTo, Review, Product/Offer markup and why it matters
- GEO playbook: earn citations in AI answers by publishing original data, step-by-step processes, pricing ranges, case studies, and expert bylined content (E-E-A-T)
- Where LLMs source from and how to show up: authoritative sites, local news, associations, directories, forums; strategies for digital PR and niche citations
- Content structure for AI and humans: direct answer first, then detail; scannable headings, lists, simple language, strong visuals, transcripts and video chapters
- Real-world examples: plumber (“water heater leaking”), med spa (“Botox cost near me”), law firm (“how long to file after an accident”) mapped to SEO/AEO/GEO tactics
- 90-day implementation plan: audit site/GBP, fix technical, build or refresh core service pages, create FAQs, add schema, collect reviews, publish authority pieces, secure local PR/citations, test presence in AI tools, iterate
- Measuring success beyond clicks: Google Search Console queries and snippets, GBP discovery views/calls/chats, review velocity, branded search growth, AI Overview presence and third-party citations, UTM and call tracking
- Tools to use: Google Search Console, PageSpeed Insights, Screaming Frog, GBP, schema validators, AlsoAsked/AnswerThePublic, Perplexity and Bing Copilot for testing, BrightLocal/Whitespark for citations, call tracking and CRM
- Pitfalls to avoid: thin city pages, unreviewed AI-written content, duplicate content, medical/legal claims without disclaimers, slow pages, ignoring mobile UX and reviews
- When to add paid: use LSAs, Performance Max, and retargeting while organic/AEO/GEO efforts ramp up
- Connect rankings to revenue: capture leads from GBP and site, route to CRM, enable instant AI chat/voice follow-up, missed-call text back, review requests, and appointment automations
In this episode of "AI Guides for Small Businesses," we dive into the intricacies of SEO, AEO, and GEO—three vital strategies every small business needs to master in an AI-driven search landscape. As local service providers, from plumbers to med spas, understanding how these elements impact your online visibility can be the key to staying competitive. Join us as we break down what each term means, how they differ, and practical ways to implement them effectively. Discover real-world examples of businesses achieving remarkable results through these strategies, and learn step-by-step methods to enhance your search ranking without getting overwhelmed by technology. This episode equips you with the insights and tools to optimize your online presence, ultimately driving more leads and sales to your small business. Tune in and get ready to unlock the potential of AI in your marketing efforts!
Hey everyone, I’m your host, Ken Tucker, and today we’re talking about something that’s confusing a lot of small business owners right now — SEO, AEO, and GEO. You might be thinking, “Great… three more acronyms.” Don’t worry. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand exactly what each one means, why they matter, and how to use them without being technical. This is especially important if you’re a local business — like a plumber, med spa, law firm, contractor, or service provider — because search has changed fast, and AI is now part of how customers find and choose businesses.
Let’s break this down simply. SEO is Search Engine Optimization. SEO is about helping Google and other search engines: -Find your website -Understand what you do -Trust you enough to show you in search results This includes things like: -Fast pages -Clear service pages -Mobile-friendly design -Good page titles and headings SEO is the foundation. AEO is about answering questions clearly. When someone asks: “How much does Botox cost?” “What should I do if my water heater is leaking?” “How long do I have to file an accident claim?” AI tools look for short, clear answers they can reuse. AEO helps your content become the answer. GEO is Generative Engine Optimization. GEO helps your business get mentioned or cited by AI tools like: - Google AI Overviews - Bing Copilot - Perplexity These tools don’t just rank websites — they write summaries. If they mention your business, you win trust before someone even clicks.
So let’s talk about what actually changed — because this is the part most business owners are feeling, even if they don’t have words for it. Search engines don’t just show links anymore. They summarize. Tools like Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, and Perplexity now read multiple websites, pull the best pieces of information, and then write an answer for the searcher. That means fewer blue links, fewer clicks, and fewer chances to be seen the old way. This is why you might notice your website still ranking, but traffic feels different. People are getting answers before they ever reach a site. This is what people mean when they say “zero-click search.” So the real goal has changed. It’s no longer just about ranking number one. It’s about being the business AI chooses to learn from, quote, or mention. If AI tools are pulling answers from your competitor’s content instead of yours, they’re shaping the buyer’s decision before that person even visits a website. That’s why visibility alone isn’t enough anymore — influence matters more.
Now, don’t get me wrong — SEO is still important. You still need a healthy website so search engines can find and understand you. That means your site should load quickly, especially on mobile. Your pages should be easy to navigate. Each service should have its own clear page, and that page should focus on one main topic. And have pages for each of the locations you serve. Think of SEO as making sure your business is “presentable” online. It’s how you get invited into the conversation. But it’s not what wins the conversation anymore.
For local businesses, your Google Business Profile might be more important than your website. You'll also need a Bing Places listing and a Yelp Profile too (they play a big role in AI-driven searches). This is often the first thing people — and AI — see. It tells Google whether you’re active, legitimate, and relevant to local searches. A complete profile with accurate categories, updated services, real photos, regular posts, answered questions, and consistent reviews sends a strong trust signal. When people engage with your listing — calling, messaging, booking — Google and AI systems notice. Reviews are especially powerful. Not just having them, but responding to them. It shows you’re present, professional, and customer-focused.
This is where Answer Engine Optimization comes in. Think about how people search today. They’re not typing just keywords — they’re asking full questions. Things like, “How much does this cost?” or “What should I do if this happens?” AI tools look for content that answers those questions clearly and quickly. So instead of writing long, fluffy paragraphs, you want to lead with the answer. Short, clear explanations written in plain language work best. You can always add details after, but the first answer matters most. If your content solves the question better than anyone else’s, AI is far more likely to use it.
You might hear the word “schema” and immediately want to tune out, so let me simplify it. Schema is just a way of labeling your content so machines understand it better. It tells Google and AI things like, “This is a business,” “This is a service,” or “This is a review.” You don’t need to write it yourself. You just need to know that having it in place helps AI confidently understand and use your information.
Now let’s talk about GEO — Generative Engine Optimization. This is about earning mentions, not just rankings. AI tools prefer content that feels real, experienced, and trustworthy. They look for businesses that explain how things work, show real pricing ranges, share step-by-step processes, and demonstrate expertise. They also pull information from trusted sources outside your website — like local news sites, industry associations, directories, and community pages. If your business shows up in those places, AI is more likely to trust and reference you. In simple terms, GEO is about giving AI enough confidence to say, “This business knows what it’s talking about.
The good news is you don’t have to choose between writing for people or AI. The same structure works for both. Start with the direct answer. Then explain it. Use short paragraphs, clear headings, and simple language. Visuals help. Videos help. Transcripts help. For example, a plumber writing about a leaking water heater might start with a quick checklist of what to do immediately, then explain common causes and typical repair costs. A med spa explaining Botox pricing might lead with average cost per unit, then explain what affects pricing and include safety notes. A law firm answering legal timelines should clearly state the deadline first, then explain exceptions and next steps, with an easy way to contact the firm. Clear always beats clever.
If this all sounds like a lot, here’s the good news — you don’t have to do everything at once. In the first month, focus on fixing technical issues on your website and cleaning up your Google Business Profile (and the other key directories). In the second month, refresh your core service pages, add location pages, and add clear FAQs. In the third month, publish one strong authority piece and work on getting reviews or a local mention. That alone puts you ahead of most competitors.
Success today isn’t just about traffic. Pay attention to calls, messages, bookings, and reviews. Watch whether more people search for your business name. Notice if your content starts showing up in AI summaries. If more qualified leads are reaching out, the strategy is working — even if clicks look different than they used to
So here’s the big takeaway. SEO helps you get found. AEO helps you get chosen. GEO helps you get trusted and mentioned. If you focus on being clear, helpful, and credible, AI will work for you instead of against you. Get a jumpstart on your competition - sign up for our AI Growth Engine IQ Roadmap at change scape web dot com slash ai-growth-engine-iq I’m Ken Tucker, and this is AI Guides for Small Businesses. Thanks for listening — and I’ll see you in the next episode.