Get started with a GEO strategy : 5 First Steps

Alright, you've read about the shift to AI search and you're ready to take action. But where do you begin? It can feel a bit like being told you need to learn to fly a helicopter by the end of the week.

Don't worry! Getting started with Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is much simpler than it looks. It's not about secret hacks; it's about a strategic shift in focus. Here are the first five, practical steps to begin building your GEO strategy today.

To get started with a GEO strategy, begin by mastering your E-E-A-T to prove your expertise. Then, restructure your key content to answer questions directly, ensure your site is perfectly indexed, build an get-started-with-a-geo-strategy-5-first-stepsauthentic presence on Reddit, and start manually tracking your AI citations.

Step 1: Master your E-E-A-T (prove you're the expert)

Real-life comparison: Before you trust a restaurant, you check its hygiene rating. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust) is the hygiene rating for your content. It's the first thing an AI looks for to decide if you're a trustworthy source.

• The action: Focus on the first 'E' – Experience. This is your secret weapon against generic AI content.

• How-To: Go to your "About Us" page and your most important service pages. Add specific, first-hand details. Instead of saying "we are experts," say "with over 10 years of first-hand experience in migrating legacy systems...". Add a detailed author bio to every article you publish. Show, don't just tell.

Step 2: Restructure your most important page

Real-life comparison: AI models read content like a busy person scanning a report. They want the conclusion first, then the details. The "AEO-Optimised Page" structure is designed for exactly this.

• The action: Pick your single most important service page or blog post.

• How-To: Restructure it to follow the AEO format. Add a "Direct Answer Box" right at the top that summarises the page's main point in 2-3 sentences. Ensure the rest of the page is broken up with clear, question-based subheadings (H2s/H3s).

Step 3: Get your house in order on Bing

Real-life comparison: You wouldn't invite guests over if your front door was locked. For ChatGPT, the front door to your website is often Bing.

• The action: Make sure you are perfectly set up on Bing Webmaster Tools.

• How-To: Go to Bing Webmaster Tools, verify your site, and submit your sitemap.xml file. Use the "URL Inspection" tool to check that your homepage and key pages can be indexed. This is a simple, 15-minute task that is absolutely critical.

  
  

Step 4: Become a regular at the "Reddit Pub"

Real-life comparison: Reddit is the local pub where everyone shares honest opinions. Being a respected regular there is incredibly valuable. Data shows Reddit is one of the most cited sources for AI models, and 30% of users go there to validate what an AI has told them.

• The action: Choose one or two relevant subreddits (like r/SEO or r/marketing).

• How-To: Do not post links to your website. Spend 20 minutes this week finding a question you can genuinely help with. Write a detailed, helpful comment from your personal, professional profile. Your only goal is to be helpful. That's it.

Step 5: Start your manual "Citation Log"

Real-life comparison: You can't improve what you don't measure. While there aren't many fancy GEO tools yet, you can start tracking your progress with a simple spreadsheet.

• The action: Create a simple log to track your "Brand Citation Frequency" - how often AI mentions you.

• How-To: Once a week, go to ChatGPT and Perplexity.ai and ask them the 3-5 "Core Prompts" you want to own. Write down which websites or brands they cite. Your goal, over the next few months, is to see your own brand, start appearing in those answers.

  
  

Takeaways

Getting started with GEO doesn't require a huge budget or a team of data scientists. It requires a shift in focus toward demonstrating trust, clarity, and authority.

• Prove your experience with E-E-A-T.

• Structure your content to provide direct answers.

• Get your technicals right on Bing.

• Be genuinely helpful in community spaces like Reddit.

• Start tracking what matters: AI citations.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. Taking these first five steps will put you miles ahead of your competition. If you'd like an expert guide to walk you through it, let's talk.

Author Bio

Hey! I'm Tiguida, "AI Enthusiast" growth consultant with over a decade of experience helping organisations navigate digital transformation. I specialise in creating actionable AI strategies that turn technological complexity into real-world business opportunities.