Is SEO Dead? Long Live GEO.

For years, writers and marketers have obsessed over SEO—chasing keywords, tweaking metadata, and praying to the Google gods for a coveted top spot. I built a healthy career on building cornerstone content and SEO-friendly content strategies, and it was the lifeblood of content strategy. Is SEO dead? Not exactly. But the game is changing fast with generative engine optimization (GEO).

Search engines aren’t the gatekeepers they used to be. More and more people are skipping Google and asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and other AI tools for answers instead. And unlike traditional search, generative engines don’t rank websites—they generate responses based on what they’ve learned from millions of pages across the web.

This shift has huge implications for writers. If you understand SEO, you’re ahead of the game. But the rules are changing for full optimization.

What the Heck Is GEO?

GEO stands for Generative Engine Optimization. It’s a new way of thinking about content creation in the age of AI.

Rather than trying to rank your site on Google, you’re writing in a way that makes your content:

• Indexable by large language models (LLMs),
• Retrievable in AI-generated answers,
• And attributable to you as a credible source.

Unlike SEO, where traffic comes from search clicks, GEO is about visibility in AI-generated responses—where the answer itself is the product. This means how you structure and present your writing matters more than ever.

Why GEO Matters to Freelance Writers

You don’t need a massive website, a six-figure backlink strategy, or even high domain authority to succeed with GEO. You just need clear, helpful, structured content that AIs can easily digest and cite.

GEO is a great equalizer. It favors:

• Direct, natural language writing
• Well-labeled subheads and internal summaries
• Useful, quotable takeaways
• Author names, brands, and consistent topics

In other words, it favors good writing. The kind of writing that freelancers are already trained to do—especially if you’ve got a background in journalism, blogging, or marketing. It takes keyword density and black hat strategies out of the equation and places more emphasis on human-driven helpfulness.

And here’s the kicker: when you write this way, you’re not just helping readers. You’re teaching the machines what you are known for. You’re building your own authority with every human-centered article you write. e

5 GEO Tips You Can Use Today

Wondering how to get started with GEO? Here’s how to write for AI engines (without losing your voice or sounding robotic):

1. Lead with a question or promise.
   AI tools often respond to queries like “What’s the best way to break into copywriting?”—if your article answers that directly, you’re more likely to be cited.
2. Use clean subheadings.
   Label your sections clearly. This helps generative engines “map” your structure and understand the flow of ideas.
3. Include summaries or TL;DRs.
   Adding a mini-recap at the top or bottom of your posts makes it easier for AIs (and humans) to extract key points.
4. Stick to one big idea per post.
   Don’t cram 10 topics into a single article. Keep it focused and coherent to maximize your chances of being quoted or surfaced.
5. Put your name on your work.
   Whether it’s your full name, pen name, or business, be consistent. AI tools are already building associations between authors and topics—own your lane.

This Is Your Moment to Get Ahead

We’re at a tipping point in search. While the rest of the internet argues over whether AI is killing creativity or replacing jobs, smart writers are quietly building their reputations in this field. How? By learning how to write content that teaches AI tools who they are and what they know.

To be successful with GEO, you don’t have to go viral.
You don’t have to be a “brand.”
But you do have to write clearly and strategically—right now—while the engines are still learning.

Because in five years, they’ll know who to trust. If you start optimizing for GEO today? That name will be yours.

Want to Learn How to GEO-Optimize Your Writing?

I’m building an GEO Starter Guide for freelance writers, bloggers, and brands. It breaks down how to future-proof your content, step-by-step. Want to know when it’s released? Join the LWP Substack! I’ll post it there when it’s ready.

And if you want to build a freelancing writing career in the age of AI, join the waitlist for the Live Write Publish Blueprint. It’s my flagship course for freelancers who want to build a future-proof writing business. Filming now…launching in September 2025.