The BIGGEST problem with GEO/AEO right now:
Brands are sabotaging their SEO to get AI visibility without realizing both channels are symbiotic, not separate…
The number of brands “going all in on AI search” while treating Google as an afterthought is frankly wild and nonsensical.
Here’s what’s actually happening:
The best way to show up in LLMs at the bottom of the funnel (where it counts) right now is getting your brand mentioned on listicles, roundups, and comparison or VS content. Not random informational citations that do almost nothing for you. That’s just TOFU SEO repackaged.
So brands are mass producing listicles and comparisons to maximize AI visibility.
Problem is, Google is dropping the hammer on exactly this. You’re throwing the baby out with the bath water using this strategy.
You exploit GEO tactics for short term gains. AI visibility goes up. Yay, you win, right?! No. In 3 months, you start to see a massive demotion from Google.
Then what happens 3 months from now when LLM training data changes? Or when generative engines put more guardrails in place to filter out listicles at scale?
What happens when you no longer rank those listicles and comparison posts anywhere due to a Google rank and tank strategy, but all your competitors do because they took a conservative, measured approach with 1-2 core listicles and nothing more?
You lose the AI visibility you thought you locked in.
These platforms are symbiotic and cyclical. Rank well organically, you show up more in AI search. Optimize well for AI search, it lifts your SEO too.
Do borderline spam tactics for either channel and you tank both. Short term wins. Long term crash.
The craziest part to me is that these are not small time brands making these mistakes. These are some of the biggest companies in the world. Endless budget to do SEO right.
-Jeremy
