SEO vs GEO: How Google and decides what you see online
Have you ever googled something or asked a question — maybe related to your studies or just something you were curious about — and then wondered, “How does the search engine decide what to show me first” Or have you ever thought about the answer or result you got and asked, “Why this answer or result” The answer lies in two growing concepts: SEO and GEO.
What is SEO
More or less, everyone is aware of what SEO is. But let me have a moment to explain it. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is how websites get noticed by search engines like Google. Think of it in a different way. Consider you have decided to open an aesthetic clothing shop in the middle of a crowded market Business World. So, to get noticed, you use clear signs Meta tags, description, heading tags, arrange your items neatly design the page, and use proper search Keywords. So, customers Google know what you’re selling.
If your content is fast loading, well organized, and uses common search phrases like “best aesthetic clothing in the XYZ market”, Google is more likely to show it on the first page.
What is GEO
It is relatively new compared to SEO. GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, is about making your content easy for tools to read, understand, and use when giving direct answers.
Unlike Google, which gives you links, tools try to answer your question right away. So GEO focuses on clear writing, factual content, and helpful structure, so it can pick it up, arrange it in pointers, make it easy to read and understand, and quote it correctly.
Why Should You Care
Whether you’re a blogger, a small business owner, or just curious, the way your content is found and the way content you see is changing.
And fast — the way you and people find information online is shifting. There is a move from SEO to GEO from 2023 onwards, as more users turn to tools for direct answers instead of just clicking search results.
As a business student or planning to work in marketing, content, or strategy, understanding GEO is essential. I would say it is critical to understand. Just like SEO was once a must know skill, GEO is becoming critical in how brands stay visible, how products get recommended, and how decisions are influenced by derived answers.
We can end on the note that SEO helps you rank on Google. GEO helps you get quoted. The smartest content today is ready for both.
About the author,
Atharva Shivaji Walekar
Atharva, a chemistry student, turned to business studies. He explores geopolitical topics and likes to explore analytics in modern business practices.
