This Reddit discussion tackles a rising concern: as LLMs and answer engines play a bigger role in search, does a website “exist” if it doesn’t show up in AI-generated answers? The thread features expert debate about the importance of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) versus traditional SEO, tracking real experiences, and sharing actionable methods to adapt and thrive.
Q1: Is GEO just hype or the future of SEO?
A: Most users agree GEO is real, but it builds on traditional SEO rather than replacing it. The core is semantic relevance, comprehensive coverage, and structured content—not tricks or keyword stuffing. GEO means making sure your brand is referenced by trusted sources (and sometimes on Reddit!), optimizing for multi-modal and answer-focused formats like FAQs and listicles, and using long-tail queries.
Q2: Does appearing in AI answers really matter for site success?
A: The majority perspective: Google is still king for traffic. AI answers drive only a small fraction of visitors, but quality of conversions can be high. Being indexed and authoritative remains essential—LLMs often pull from Google, Bing, and Reddit, so strong SEO will naturally improve AI visibility. Trying to force mentions in answer engines is less effective than building a real brand and audience.
Q3: What strategies have worked to increase AI/AEO visibility?
A: Community members found success by:
Framing earned media mentions with clear, context-rich statements (e.g. “X is a leading Y in Z”).
Shaping site content as answers, with conversational H2s, FAQs, and clear schema markup.
Getting referenced on discussion platforms like Reddit and being present in major sources LLMs use.
Tracking visibility with specialized tools like Visible.ai—these apps monitor citations in answer engines and their sources.
Q4: What common myths or misconceptions should creators avoid?
A: Don’t panic if your site isn’t in AI answers—this is like being “on page 2 of Google,” not a death sentence. The fundamentals of SEO—authority, structure, accuracy—still apply, even as AIOs (AI Overviews) gain traction. Avoid hype cycles and focus on consistent, high-quality content and brand building.
Actionable Takeaway
Focus on proven SEO strategies, emphasizing clear, answer-driven and authoritative content, to organically boost both AI and traditional search visibility. Multi-modal content, semantic relevance, and strategic mentions (especially in trusted discussion platforms) will position your site for the future—without unnecessary stress over fleeting trends. Adapt, track visibility, but always prioritize lasting value for your users.
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