Your Customers Are Using AI to Search- Do You Show Up?
Search engines aren’t what they used to be—and neither are your customers.
Today’s buyers aren’t just typing in keywords. They’re asking full questions in tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, and Pinterest’s new AI search. They expect thoughtful answers, not a list of links. And they’re using those AI-generated answers to make real decisions—about what to buy, where to shop, and who to trust.
So if your business isn’t being picked up by these engines, you might be invisible to the very people looking for what you offer.
This is where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) comes in.
What’s Generative Engine Optimization?
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the process of creating content that’s designed to show up in AI-generated answers, not just in traditional search rankings.
That means your blog post, product description, or About page could be recommended inside an AI response when someone types or says:
“What’s a unique baby shower gift?”
“How do I plan a sustainable birthday party?”
“What are the best self-care gifts for small business owners?”
“Where can I buy a timeless keepsake for a new baby?”
If your content is GEO-friendly, you could be the business that answer includes.
Why This Matters for You
Generative engines are the new gatekeepers of visibility. When your customer searches, they don’t always click around—they trust the first summarized answer they see.
Here’s how GEO helps you stay visible:
AI recommends your content in answers and summaries
You become part of the conversation early in the buyer’s journey
You build credibility and trust through helpful, human language
You’re not stuck chasing keywords—you’re speaking directly to your people
What Generative Engines Love (and What They Ignore)
Generative tools don’t just search for keywords—they read for meaning. They look for content that’s:
Natural and conversational (sounding like a real human wrote it)
Informative and clear (answering real questions, not just promoting)
Specific and useful (details > vague generalizations)
Credible (written with real knowledge or experience)
If your content is robotic, keyword-stuffed, or unclear, it’s likely to be ignored—even if it ranks in traditional SEO. I know, you were taught to stuff keywords, maybe even recently- if you take one thing from this post, may it be that you STOP stuffing keywords!
How to Show Up Where Your Customers Are Searching
Don’t worry—you don’t need a tech team or a marketing degree. Here are a few beginner-friendly steps to start applying GEO right now:
1. Start with the questions your customers ask
Write content that answers those questions clearly and thoroughly. Use FAQs, blog posts, product descriptions, and even Instagram captions.
2. Use natural, helpful language
Write like you're having a conversation. Avoid keyword stuffing or stiff, overly formal writing.
3. Get specific
Instead of saying “great gift,” say “a thoughtful gift for a first-time mom” or “a keepsake ornament for baby’s first Christmas.”
4. Include your unique perspective
AI tools value content created by real humans with real experiences. Share your why, your process, or how your product helps solve a problem.
A Real-World Example
Let’s say you sell yoga props like bolsters, blocks, and straps. A GEO-optimized product description might look like this:
“A supportive yoga bolster designed for restorative and yin yoga. Filled with natural cotton and covered in soft, washable fabric, this bolster helps deepen stretches and support relaxation during savasana, gentle backbends, or prenatal yoga practice.”
This version doesn’t just say “yoga bolster”—it answers a handful of common search questions all at once:
Who is this for? (Restorative/yin yoga practitioners, prenatal users)
What does it help with? (Relaxation, gentle backbends, savasana)
Why is it useful? (Supportive, natural materials, washable)
It’s written like a real human describing a real product with care—and that’s exactly what AI engines are trained to surface and share.
Final Thought
Your customers are using AI to search—and they’re expecting real answers, not just a list of links.
By focusing on Generative Engine Optimization, you can meet them where they are with clarity, warmth, and expertise. You’ll be showing up not just in search results, but in conversations—and that’s where trust (and sales) begin.
At Signal & Sage, we help you write the kind of content AI engines recommend and real people connect with. From product listings to blog posts, we turn your message into something that resonates.
Because when the future of search is human-centered, your story matters more than ever.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in and think will support you on your journey to becoming a more confident, courageous communicator.
Interested in learning more about AI or Generative Engine Optimization?
Understanding Generative AI for Beginners by Evan Shive
How To Get To The Top of Google: The Plain English Guide to SEO
