A significant change has occurred in the way we find information online. Not too long ago, everyone relied on Google searches—type in a few keywords, scroll through results, and click around until you found what you needed.

But nowadays? Plenty of folks are having full conversations with ChatGPT, asking Claude for detailed explanations, or getting instant answers from Bard. It’s changed the game completely.

The situation creates an interesting puzzle for anyone trying to get their content noticed. Traditional SEO isn’t going anywhere—it still brings in tons of traffic and sales. But there’s this whole new world of optimizing for AI systems that actually generate answers instead of just showing you a list of links.

The truth is, you probably need both. Let me break down why.

Why Traditional SEO Still Packs a Punch

Despite all the talk about AI taking over, SEO has proven remarkably resilient. Despite numerous Google updates, the mobile revolution, the adoption of voice search, and numerous “SEO is dead” predictions, SEO has proven to be remarkably resilient.

The Technical Stuff That Actually Matters

Your website still needs to load fast, work perfectly on phones, and have clean code. These aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore—they’re make-or-break factors. A slow site or wonky mobile experience can tank your rankings no matter how brilliant your content is.

Schema markup is worth the effort, even though it sounds complicated. When you mark up your content properly, search engines understand it better. This leads to those eye-catching, rich snippets that make people more likely to click on your results.

Content That Solves Real Problems

Good SEO content addresses the actual problems people type into search boxes. When someone searches for “best project management software for small teams,” they want detailed comparisons and real insights, not generic fluff.

Keyword research tells you how people actually talk about their problems. This insight is gold for creating content that matches the way your audience naturally thinks and searches.

Building Trust That Sticks

One of Google’s best indicators of trust is still high-quality backlinks. When respected websites link to your content, it tells search engines (and people) that you know what you’re talking about.

Building real authority takes patience and genuine relationships. You can’t fake your way to quality backlinks—you earn them by creating content worth linking to and building connections in your industry.

What Makes Generative Engine Optimization Different

GEO presents a distinct challenge. Instead of trying to rank higher in search results, you’re trying to become the source that AI systems quote when they answer questions.

How AI Picks What to Reference

When ChatGPT or Claude answers a question, they’re pulling from massive amounts of information they were trained on. They look for content that’s accurate, comprehensive, and authoritative.

However, unlike traditional search engines, AI does not simply match keywords. It assesses the accuracy and dependability of data. Vague, promotional, or questionable content gets ignored.

Writing That AI Systems Love

AI excels at understanding well-organized, logical information. Content with clear structure, definitive statements, and solid backing performs much better than wishy-washy marketing speak.

Think about how you talk to ChatGPT. You probably ask complete questions like “What’s the most effective way to reduce customer churn for SaaS companies?” instead of searching for “SaaS churn reduction tactics.”

Becoming a Go-To Source

AI systems repeatedly cite certain types of content when they provide sources for their answers. These are usually well-researched pieces, authoritative guides, and content that makes clear factual claims backed up with evidence.

The goal isn’t just getting mentioned—it’s becoming a trusted source that AI systems feel confident referencing when people ask questions in your area of expertise.

The Big Differences You Need to Know

How People Behave Differently

Traditional search is still about exploration. People browse multiple results, compare options, read reviews, and often visit several sites before making decisions. They expect to do the legwork.

AI interactions work totally differently. People get synthesized answers and often trust them without doing additional research. This puts more responsibility on content creators to be accurate and helpful.

What Success Looks Like

With SEO, success is pretty clear: better rankings, more organic traffic, and higher conversion rates. You can see these improvements in your analytics dashboard and tie them directly to business outcomes.

GEO success is trickier to measure. The tools for tracking AI mentions are still being developed. Success might look like increased brand recognition, more people reaching out directly, or being known as the expert in your field.

How You Need to Write

SEO content can work with various formats and structures as long as it satisfies what people are searching for and includes relevant keywords naturally. Blog posts, product pages, and guides all have proven frameworks.

GEO content demands exceptional clarity and authority. Vague statements, unsupported claims, or overly promotional language make it less likely that AI will reference your work. Everything needs to be precise enough for AI systems to extract and cite confidently.

Why You Can’t Pick Just One

Different People, Different Habits

People behave differently when searching for information. Some still prefer browsing search results and comparing multiple sources for important decisions. Others have embraced AI assistants for quick, reliable answers.

It’s not just about age, either. Usage depends on context, how complex the question is, and personal preference. Smart marketing strategies account for both types of users.

Playing It Safe

As more people adopt AI tools, relying solely on SEO becomes risky. However, focussing just on GEO misses the enormous amount of traffic and money that search engines continue to bring in.

Algorithm changes—whether from Google or AI companies—can dramatically impact your visibility overnight. Having a diversified approach protects you from major losses.

Building Authority Everywhere

When your content performs well in both search results and AI responses, it creates powerful credibility signals. People start recognizing you as an expert across different platforms.

Users who encounter consistent, high-quality information from you across multiple discovery methods develop stronger trust. This reinforcement effect makes your optimization work more powerful.

Making Both Work Together

Creating Content That Does Double Duty

The smartest approach involves creating content that serves both SEO and GEO goals. This means developing thorough, well-researched pieces that answer questions completely while following SEO best practices.

Start with solid keyword research to understand what people search for, then expand to cover related questions they might ask AI systems. There’s usually significant overlap between the two.

Spending Your Resources Wisely

Most businesses face budget and time constraints. The trick is finding the right balance based on how your audience behaves and what your industry looks like.

B2B companies might lean more toward GEO since decision-makers often use AI for research. E-commerce businesses might prioritize SEO for product discovery and comparison shopping.

Tracking What Matters

Traditional analytics don’t capture GEO performance well. You need new ways to track AI mentions, your authority in AI responses, and the indirect effects on traffic and leads.

Setting up Google Alerts for brand mentions, monitoring social media for AI-generated content that references you, and tracking increases in branded searches can give you insights into GEO impact.

What’s Coming Down the Road

Everything’s Blending Together

Google and other search engines are starting to include AI-generated responses right in search results. Microsoft’s ChatGPT integration with Bing is just the beginning.

This blending suggests that SEO and GEO might become more similar over time. Content that works well for both today will probably adapt more easily to whatever comes next.

New Opportunities Emerging

Voice search, visual search, and AI systems that handle multiple types of content create fresh optimization opportunities. The core principles of clear, authoritative content apply across all these new technologies.

Companies that build strong foundations in both SEO and GEO will be ready for whatever innovations pop up next in search and information discovery.

Getting Started Without Overwhelming Yourself

Quick Wins You Can Tackle Now

Start by checking your existing content for accuracy and completeness. Fix or remove outdated information that could hurt your credibility with AI systems while keeping your SEO performance strong.

Figure out the most important questions in your industry. Create comprehensive content that answers these questions definitively, using clear organization and solid evidence.

Building for the Long Haul

Invest in learning about both traditional SEO and emerging GEO strategies. The landscape continues to change, so ongoing education is essential.

Build genuine relationships with industry publications and thought leaders. Quality backlinks help with SEO while establishing the credibility that makes AI systems more likely to reference your content.

The Real Bottom Line

In 2025, successful digital marketing necessitates broad thinking and adaptability. Traditional SEO continues driving substantial value through website traffic and established user behavior. At the same time, GEO addresses the growing number of people who depend on AI systems for information and recommendations.

Success comes from seeing these as teamwork, not competition. The businesses that win will create outstanding content optimized for both people browsing search results and AI systems generating answers.

The investment in quality, accuracy, and authority benefits both approaches. While specific tactics may vary, the fundamental principle remains unchanged: offer genuine value to users, regardless of how they discover your content.

Instead of choosing between SEO and GEO, successful organizations are building strategies that use the best of both worlds. The future belongs to those who adapt while maintaining excellence in the basics of optimization.

Ready to Master Both SEO and GEO for Your Business?

Navigating the evolving landscape of search optimization and AI-powered content discovery doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your traditional SEO foundation or dive into the emerging world of Generative Engine Optimization, having the right expertise makes all the difference.

Scribble Copies specializes in helping businesses across the USA develop comprehensive digital marketing strategies that work in both traditional search engines and AI-powered systems. Our team understands the nuances of creating content that ranks well in Google while also getting referenced by ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI platforms.

Our Services Include:

SEO Services in USA: Complete search engine optimization including Local SEO, content optimization, link building, and performance tracking

GEO Services in USA: Cutting-edge Generative Engine Optimization to get your content featured in AI-generated responses and build authority in AI systems

Integrated Content Strategy: Content that serves both SEO and GEO objectives effectively

Performance Analytics: Tracking and measuring success across both traditional and AI-powered discovery channels

Don’t let your competitors get ahead while you’re still figuring out the new rules of digital visibility. The businesses that start optimizing for both SEO and GEO today will have significant advantages as the market continues to evolve.

Get started with a strategy that covers all your bases. Contact Scribble Copies today to learn how our SEO and GEO services can help your business thrive in 2025 and beyond.