By Darrin Gerr, CEO of Agency Jet.
If you're a business owner wondering how to get your website to show up in ChatGPT, Gemini, or other AI-driven search results, the answer starts with one thing: SEO.
At Agency Jet, we believe that providing SEO services isn't just about showing up on Google anymore. It's the foundation for visibility across all search types—from traditional engines like Google to voice assistants and AI-generated results.
In today's digital landscape, SEO powers everything: AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and beyond.
What Is SEO and Why is it a Priority
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving your website so it ranks better in search engines. That includes optimizing your site structure, page content, internal links, mobile speed, metadata, and much more.
While SEO once meant "adding keywords," it's now about building a site that solves problems for real people. Google, Bing, and now AI tools want to show the best answers—and SEO is how you become that best answer.
SEO Is the Foundation of AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
AEO focuses on winning spots like featured snippets, voice searches, and direct answers from tools like Siri or Google Assistant.
But here's the catch: You can't do AEO without SEO. Why?
- Google prioritizes trusted, authoritative websites for these quick answers—something you build through solid SEO. get to know googles E-E-A-T.
- Structured content (clear headlines, bullets, schema) is what makes it easy for AI to extract answers—and that's an SEO practice.
- Keyword research tells you what your audience is asking.
- Internal linking and technical SEO ensure Google can properly crawl and interpret your content.
If you want your business to be the voice of authority in your niche, you need the SEO groundwork to support it.
SEO Powers GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
GEO is all about ranking in AI-generated search results—like what shows up when someone asks ChatGPT or Gemini for recommendations.
This means your content must:
- Be rich in detail
- Be easy to interpret by machines and users alike
- Anticipate user questions
- Be updated and trustworthy
All of which are... core SEO best practices.
Why Local Businesses Should Care about AI Search
You may not care about ranking in national news searches. But you do want your business to show up when someone asks an AI:
- "Who’s the best lawyer for workplace injury in Minneapolis?"
- "Where can I get my luxury watch repaired near me?"
- "Best-reviewed landscapers in St. Paul?"
AI search is increasingly becoming local. But for AI to trust your business as an answer, it needs:
- Great local content
- Accurate listings (Google Business Profile, Yelp, etc.)
- Fast, mobile-friendly pages
- Structured data
In other words: Local SEO.
Agency Jet’s 2025 SEO, AEO & GEO 30-Point Checklist
At Agency Jet, we combine SEO, AEO, and GEO into a unified strategy that:
- Makes your business easier to find
- Gets your answers pulled into AI and voice searches
- Positions your content as trustworthy and current
We don’t chase SEO gimmicks. We build real value into your website so both people and machines choose you.
Our Proven Framework: 30 Essentials for Ranking in Google, Voice Search, and AI search
This framework outlines the critical steps needed to build strong SEO foundations while optimizing for emerging AI and voice search platforms. These 30 essential elements are organized into categories that reflect their function in a successful digital strategy.
Content Strategy & Relevance
1. Value-Driven Content – Authoritative, trustworthy, and conversion-focused content aligned with user intent.
2. Concise Answer Blocks – Short, direct sections optimized for featured snippets and voice search.
3. Robust FAQs – Addresses common user questions to strengthen AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).
4. Strategic Internal Linking – Enhances topic depth, improves crawlability, and aids user navigation.
5. Planned Content Updates – Keeps key pages fresh, relevant, and competitive in evolving search landscapes.
6. Bullets, Tables & Multimedia – Boosts clarity and engagement while improving visual presentation as well as ordered information for AI crawlers.
7. Semantic Keywords & Topic Clusters – Builds topical authority through keyword grouping and depth.
8. Author Byline – Increases credibility and satisfies E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) standards.
9. Meet the Team Pages – Humanizes the brand, supports trust, and reinforces legitimacy.
Technical & On-Page Optimization
10. Featured Snippets Targeting – Formats content to appear in AI answers and voice search results.
11. Header Tag Optimization – Structures content for better readability, hierarchy, and indexing.
12. Image Alt Text – Enhances accessibility and adds keyword context for search engines.
13. Schema Markup – Implements structured data to improve how content is interpreted and displayed.
14. SSL Security – Boosts security and builds trust signals for search engines and users.
15. Core Web Vitals Optimization – Improves page speed, responsiveness, and layout stability.
16. Canonical Tags – Consolidates duplicate content and maintains SEO value.
17. Mobile Readability – Ensures legibility and usability on all mobile devices.
18. Responsive UI/UX – Delivers consistent and seamless experiences across screen sizes.
19. LLMS.txt and Robots.txt Optimization – Configures files to enhance AI-driven indexing and search crawler access.
20. Meta Tag Optimization – Enhances visibility and CTR through improved title and description tags.
Off-Page SEO & Authority Building
21. Editorial Guest Blogging for AI Search – Publishes authoritative, AI-optimized articles that earn high-quality backlinks.
22. Business Citations – Establishes credibility on trusted directories and reinforces local SEO signals.
Local SEO & Geo-Optimization
23. Localized SEO – Targets service areas through geo-specific content and metadata.
24. Google Business Profile Optimization – Keeps business listings accurate, complete, and engaging.
25. Authoritative Local Listings – Strengthens trustworthiness in generative AI platforms through reputable listings.
26. Local NAP Audit – Ensures consistency of name, address, and phone number; eliminates duplicates.
Maintenance, Tracking & Growth
27. Consistent Activity – Regular content publishing and updates to sustain engagement and rankings.
28. Measure online and offline conversion sources - Measures conversion sources both online from web events as offline from Inbound Call Tracking will guide optimization based on real user behavior.
29. Performance Monitoring – Continuously tracks SEO, AEO, and GEO outcomes to adapt to algorithm shifts.
30. Strategic Adjustments – Uses insights from tracking to fine-tune campaigns and stay competitive.
This comprehensive approach ensures your digital presence thrives across traditional search engines, voice assistants, and emerging AI search platforms. Whether you're optimizing a local business or building national reach, Agency Jet’s proven framework puts you ahead of the curve.
What You Can Take From This
If you want to win in AI-driven search, you can’t skip SEO—it’s the root system that powers your entire digital presence. Start by working through the items in our checklist.
Not sure where you stand? Let us help. Request a free website assessment and get clear, actionable insights to improve your visibility.
Curious what others have experienced? Read our reviews on Clutch, Google, or UpCity to see what clients are saying and what you can expect.
FAQs
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Is SEO still needed for AI search?
Absolutely. SEO powers visibility in both traditional and AI search. Without it, AI won’t surface your site in results. - What’s the difference between SEO, AEO, and GEO?
SEO improves rankings in search engines. AEO targets voice and answer boxes. GEO focuses on visibility in AI platforms like ChatGPT. All require strong SEO. - How can my business show up in AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini?
With structured, trustworthy content and solid SEO—especially schema markup, local signals, and user-focused answers. - How do I rank for AI searches?
Start with strong SEO: structured content, fast pages, clear answers, and trusted backlinks. AI tools prioritize high-quality, authoritative sites. - How do you do SEO for AI search?
Use schema markup, semantic keywords, and answer-based content. Focus on user intent and clarity—AI engines reward precision and context. - How do I rank in ChatGPT or other AI searches?
Provide well-structured, expert-level content. ChatGPT favors sources with relevance, depth, and credibility—just like Google.
