Get found in AI search.
Google AI Overviews. ChatGPT. Perplexity. Copilot. The way people search is changing — and most businesses are invisible in these new channels. We fix that.
Generative Engine Optimization — the next frontier of search.
In 2026, over 40% of Google searches trigger an AI Overview — a synthesized answer that appears above traditional results. Hundreds of millions of people ask ChatGPT for business recommendations. Perplexity is growing as a primary search tool. Microsoft Copilot is integrated into Windows, Edge, and Office.
These AI systems don't show a list of ten blue links. They provide a single synthesized answer, citing the sources they trust most. If your business isn't one of those cited sources, you're invisible to a growing share of potential customers — even if your traditional SEO is strong.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the discipline of making your business the source that AI search engines cite. It requires a fundamentally different approach than traditional SEO: structured data that AI can parse, entity-level authority building, content structured for machine comprehension, and strategic citation placement across the platforms these AI systems trust.
The Choplin Group is one of the first agencies in Louisiana — and certainly in Lafayette — to offer dedicated GEO services. While most agencies are still figuring out what GEO means, we're already implementing it for clients. That early-mover advantage compounds: the businesses that optimize for AI search now will be the established, trusted sources that AI systems default to citing for years to come.
GEO at a Glance
- Google AI Overview optimization
- ChatGPT citation building
- Perplexity source optimization
- Structured data for AI parsing
- Entity & knowledge graph building
- AI search monitoring & reporting
Understanding the AI search ecosystem.
Google AI Overviews
Google's AI Overview appears above traditional search results, synthesizing information from multiple sources into a single answer. It cites specific websites as sources. Being cited here means your business appears in the most prominent position possible — above position #1 in traditional results.
40%+ of searches now trigger AI OverviewsChatGPT Search
ChatGPT now has real-time web search capabilities. When users ask "who is the best plumber in Lafayette?" or "recommend a dentist near Youngsville," ChatGPT searches the web, evaluates sources, and provides recommendations with citations. Being a cited source means direct brand visibility to hundreds of millions of users.
Hundreds of millions of active usersPerplexity
Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that provides sourced, cited answers to every query. It's growing rapidly among professionals and researchers who want quick, reliable answers. Perplexity explicitly cites its sources — making it one of the most valuable platforms for GEO visibility.
Fastest-growing AI search platformMicrosoft Copilot
Integrated into Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365, Copilot uses Bing's index and AI to answer user queries. For businesses whose customers use Microsoft products (which is most of them), Copilot visibility means appearing in the tools people already use daily — without them even opening a browser.
Built into 1B+ Windows devicesHow we optimize for AI search engines.
GEO isn't a single tactic — it's a systematic approach to making your business the authoritative, citable source that AI systems prefer. Here's our framework.
Structured Data Optimization
AI systems rely heavily on structured data (schema markup) to understand what your business does, where you're located, what services you offer, and how you relate to other entities. We implement comprehensive schema — LocalBusiness, Service, FAQPage, HowTo, Review, and more — that gives AI systems a machine-readable map of your business.
Entity Optimization
AI search engines think in entities, not keywords. We build your business's entity profile across the platforms that AI systems trust: Google Knowledge Graph, Wikidata, authoritative directories, industry databases, and structured data on your own site. The stronger your entity presence, the more likely AI systems are to cite you as a trusted source.
Citation Building
AI models evaluate source credibility partly based on how often and where a business is mentioned across the web. We build strategic citations on authoritative platforms — not just directories, but industry publications, local news sites, review platforms, and community resources that AI systems weight heavily in their credibility assessments.
Content Structuring for AI
AI systems prefer content that provides clear, definitive answers. We restructure your content with direct answer paragraphs, data tables, comparison frameworks, and FAQ sections that AI models can easily extract and cite. Every piece of content is designed to be both human-readable and AI-parseable.
Monitoring & Iteration
We continuously monitor your presence in AI search results across all major platforms, track citation frequency, and iterate our strategy based on what's working. AI search algorithms are evolving rapidly — staying ahead requires constant monitoring and adaptation.
Complementary strategies, different mechanics.
Traditional SEO
- Targets ranking positions (1-10)
- Optimizes for blue-link clicks
- Keyword-focused
- Page authority & backlinks
- Success = ranking position
GEO
- Targets AI citations & references
- Optimizes for source credibility
- Entity-focused
- Structured data & knowledge graphs
- Success = citation frequency
The strongest digital presence combines both. Many GEO tactics also improve traditional SEO — and vice versa. We build strategies that capture traffic from every channel: organic rankings, map pack, and AI-generated answers.
Why GEO matters for Lafayette businesses.
When someone in Lafayette asks ChatGPT "who is the best AC repair company in Acadiana?" or Google's AI Overview summarizes "top-rated restaurants in the Oil Center," the businesses that appear in those answers win. Not second place — the citation itself is the victory.
Right now, most Lafayette businesses aren't optimizing for this. They're still focused exclusively on traditional SEO — which is important, but it's only half the picture. The businesses that invest in GEO now will be the established, trusted sources that AI systems default to when Acadiana residents ask questions about local services.
This is especially powerful in a market like Lafayette where community trust and reputation drive business decisions. AI systems are learning to mirror that trust — they cite businesses with strong review profiles, authoritative content, and comprehensive structured data. The businesses already invested in their online presence have a natural head start in GEO.
The window for early-mover advantage is narrowing. As more businesses begin to understand and invest in GEO, the competition for AI citations will intensify. The time to start is now — before your competitors figure out what GEO is.
Common questions about GEO.
What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?
GEO is the practice of optimizing your business's online presence to be cited by AI-powered search engines like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot. Unlike traditional SEO which targets rankings, GEO focuses on making your business the source AI systems trust and cite.
How is GEO different from traditional SEO?
Traditional SEO optimizes for ranking positions. GEO optimizes for being cited as a trusted source in AI-generated answers. The tactics overlap, but GEO requires additional focus on entity optimization, structured data, citation patterns, and content structured for AI comprehension.
Why does GEO matter in 2026?
Over 40% of Google searches trigger AI Overviews. ChatGPT has hundreds of millions of users. The businesses cited in these AI answers get brand visibility that traditional SEO alone can't capture. Early movers build a compounding advantage.
Can GEO help my local Lafayette business?
Absolutely. When someone asks "who is the best HVAC company in Lafayette?" to ChatGPT or gets a Google AI Overview for "top dentists in Acadiana," GEO-optimized businesses are the ones that get cited.
What does GEO optimization include?
Structured data optimization, entity and knowledge graph building, citation building across authoritative sources, content structuring for AI consumption, and ongoing monitoring of your AI search presence.
How long does it take to see GEO results?
Google AI Overview improvements can appear within 30-90 days. ChatGPT and Perplexity citations depend on platform update cycles. We build comprehensive presence that compounds over time across all AI platforms.
Do I still need traditional SEO if I invest in GEO?
Yes. GEO and traditional SEO are complementary. Traditional SEO drives organic rankings and map pack visibility. GEO captures the growing AI search traffic. The strongest presence combines both.
How do you measure GEO success?
We track citations in Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT response mentions, Perplexity citations, brand mention growth, AI platform referral traffic, and knowledge panel presence.
Ready to be found in AI search?
The window for early-mover advantage is closing. Let's talk about how GEO can put your business in front of the customers using AI to find services like yours.