How to get found on Google and AI search (SEO and GEO)

SEO and GEO for small business is about being found in two places at once, the traditional Google results and the answers that AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity now give directly. SEO is search engine optimisation, getting your pages to rank. GEO is generative engine optimisation, getting your business quoted inside AI answers. The good news is the same foundations serve both, and a focused 90 day effort can move you in each.

Why SEO and GEO for small business both matter now

For years, getting found meant ranking on the first page of Google. That still matters. But a growing share of buyers now ask an AI assistant first. They type a question into ChatGPT or Perplexity and read the answer, often without clicking a single link. If your firm is not named in that answer, you are invisible to them.

You cannot pick one or the other. Google still drives the majority of enquiries for most Australian professional service firms, while AI search is the fast growing channel. The smart move is to build foundations that work for both at the same time.

Practical steps for Google (SEO)

Classic SEO has not changed as much as people claim. Get the fundamentals right and you will rank for the terms that bring real enquiries.

• Build a page for each core service and each location you serve, with the keyword in the title, the first paragraph and one H2.
• Fix the basics, a fast site under three seconds, mobile friendly, clean headings and proper internal links between related pages.
• Earn trust signals, a complete Google Business Profile, genuine client reviews and citations on directories that matter in Australia.
• Publish useful articles that answer the real questions your buyers type, not keyword stuffed filler.
• Add schema markup so Google understands your business, services, reviews and FAQs.

Practical steps for AI search (GEO)

AI assistants build answers by reading and summarising the web. To be cited, your content needs to be clear, factual and easy to lift. These steps move the needle.

• Answer the question in the first sentence of each page, in plain language an assistant can quote word for word.
• Use clear question style headings and short, self contained paragraphs, so a model can extract a clean passage.
• State concrete facts, prices in AUD, timelines, locations and credentials, because models favour specific, verifiable claims.
• Add an FAQ section in real search style questions, which maps directly to how people prompt an assistant.
• Get mentioned elsewhere, in directories, industry sites and reputable articles, since AI tools weigh what others say about you, not just your own site.
• Keep facts consistent across your site, Google profile and listings, so a model is not confused by conflicting details.

A 90 day plan you can actually run

In the first 30 days, fix technical basics, tidy your service pages and complete your Google Business Profile and key listings. In days 30 to 60, rewrite your top pages to answer questions clearly, add FAQ sections and schema, and publish two or three strong articles. In days 60 to 90, build mentions and reviews, then measure rankings and test your own brand prompts in ChatGPT and Perplexity to see whether you are being named.

Check progress monthly. Track Google rankings for your priority terms, enquiry volume, and a simple manual test, ask the main AI assistants a buyer question and note whether your firm appears. That last check is the clearest sign your GEO work is landing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SEO and GEO?

SEO gets your pages to rank in search engines like Google so people click through to your site. GEO gets your business cited inside the answers that AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Perplexity generate. They share foundations but GEO rewards clear, quotable, factual content.

Can a small business really show up in ChatGPT or Perplexity?

Yes. AI assistants favour clear, specific, well structured content and trusted mentions, which a focused small business can build faster than many large competitors. Answering buyer questions plainly and getting cited on reputable sites is what gets you named.

How long does SEO and GEO take to work?

Expect early SEO movement in 8 to 12 weeks and stronger gains over three to six months. GEO can show up faster once your content is clear and you have a few quality mentions, though both need consistent effort to hold.

If you want a site built to perform on both Google and AI search, see our web design and development service. To start lean, read about the minimum viable website, or book a free video audit to see how findable your business is today.