Moving from SEO to GEO: Getting Your Franchise Cited in AI Overviews
Moving from SEO to GEO: Getting Your Franchise Cited in AI Overviews The digital marketing landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation since the invention of the smartphone. For years, the goal was simple: rank on the first page of Google. Today, that goal is shifting toward Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). As Google integrates AI Overviews (formerly SGE) into nearly every search result, the "blue link" is being overshadowed by synthesized, conversational answers. For franchise owners and marketers, the stakes have changed. It is no longer enough to be "found"; you must be "cited." Being referenced by an AI engine as a top-tier recommendation is the new gold standard for organic growth in 2026. What is GEO and Why It Matters for Franchises Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the process of optimizing content specifically for AI models like Gemini, Claude, and GPT. Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on keywords and backlinks to d...