What is GEO?

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) refers to an optimization strategy specifically designed for generative AI platforms such as Deepseek, Tencent Yuanbao, Doubao, and Baidu Wenxin Yiyan. Its goal is to help a brand’s or company’s content become a referenced data source when users ask questions to AI systems. This enhances brand exposure and credibility while improving sales conversion rates.

The core philosophy is to position "AI as the brand spokesperson", embedding a company's structured information—such as official media coverage, professional data, and industry authority analyses—into AI-recommended answers through optimization techniques, making it directly visible to users rather than relying solely on traditional SEO rankings or ad placements.

 

How is GEO different from SEO?

SEO vs GEO -The biggest difference between SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) lies in their focus: SEO targets traditional search engines like Google and Baidu by optimizing website content and technical elements to boost organic rankings in search results; GEO, however, specializes in making brands or information more likely to be cited and recommended by generative AIs such as ChatGPT, Baidu Ernie Bot, DeepSeek, and Kimi, aiming to become the AI's "standard answer" in conversational Q&A, summaries, and recommendation scenarios.

While SEO continues to generate long-term website traffic, GEO has become the new entry point in the AI era. Gaining priority in AI-generated results will be central to brand competition. Businesses should adopt a dual strategy combining SEO and GEO to maximize cross-channel traffic and strengthen brand trust.

Why do brands need GEO?

More consumers and companies now use AI tools likeDeepSeekinstead of traditional search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) to seek information. In Hong Kong, consumers increasingly rely on AI-powered personalized recommendation systems, which analyze browsing behavior, purchasing history, and social interactions to deliver customized product suggestions. Online shopping platforms and fintech apps already use such AI systems to push products and services that best fit individual preferences, enhancing buying efficiency and satisfaction.

Consumers use AI technology to access detailed product reviews, user feedback, and market analyses, enhancing transparency and confidence in purchase decisions while reducing risks and uncertainties. Thus, becoming a "cited and recommended data source" in AI-generated answers has emerged as the new battleground for brand exposure. Early adoption of GEO) enables brands to seize new traffic opportunities from the AI wave, boosting sales conversion rates and user trust.

Generative Engine Optimization is not merely a cost-saving or efficiency tool but a core strategy to differentiate brands and stand out in the AI era.

AI Search and Decision-making Trends in Hong Kong

  • Around 45% of Hong Kong users prefer asking ChatGPT or Perplexity directly instead of using Google Search.
  • The most popular AI search platforms in Hong Kong (Ahref, April 2025):
    1. ChatGPT 709K monthly visits
    2. DeepSeek 597K monthly visits
    3. POE 345K monthly visits
  • The trend is even stronger among younger generations—61% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials prefer using AI tools over Google for information searches.

Advantages

1. AI citations as the new exposure battleground
With over 63% of users asking AI for information, Generative Engine Optimization strategies can significantly boost brand visibility and authority in AI-generated responses, counteracting declining SEO traffic.

2. Increased brand trust and professional image
High-quality, authoritative content is more likely to be recognized by AI as credible. GEO emphasizes structured and context-adaptive content that allows direct citation in AI answers, enhancing a brand’s credibility.

3. Large-scale personalized marketing
Facilitating precise "one-to-one" communication and recommendations between brands and consumers to boost user engagement and conversion rates, while strengthening brand loyalty.

4. Consistent brand identity
AI learns a brand’s tone and visual identity, ensuring all AI-generated outputs remain consistent and recognizable across platforms.

5. Smarter decision-making
AI can analyze market and consumer data to support informed decisions, reducing guesswork risk.

6. Higher conversion rates and ROI
AI can deliver personalized content recommendations based on user behavior, location, and needs in response to queries, significantly boosting engagement and repurchase rates. For example, a home furnishing brand using Generative Engine Optimization frequently appears in AI search scenarios, multiplying ROI and demonstrating how GEO more precisely converts "searches" into "business opportunities."

Which industries need GEO?

Industries that rely on local traffic, need high regional visibility in AI searches, or depend on information credibility and AI-driven discovery should prioritize Generative Engine Optimization:depend on information credibility and AI-driven discovery should prioritize GEO:

(1) Professional and compliance-based sectors
Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, specialty hospitals, financial advisory, and legal services require AI to deliver accurate, authoritative information to prevent misinformation.

(2) Knowledge-intensive and competitive sectors
Education, academic institutions, technology, electronics (3C), smart devices, automotive, and real estate often see users consulting AI for technical comparisons and reviews.

(3) Lifestyle and consumer industries
For industries like travel itineraries, hotels, beauty, cosmetics, maternal and infant products, fashion apparel, e-commerce, and retail—where consumers heavily rely on AI and social Q&A for purchase decisions—ensuring your brand becomes the standard AI-recommended answer guarantees higher conversions.

How should Hong Kong Businesses apply GEO?

Hong Kong businesses should focus on enhancing the visibility and authority of brand content in AI-generated search and recommendation contexts. By integrating AIGEO into digital transformation efforts, companies can improve automation and intelligent decision-making.

Beyond local markets, Hong Kong enterprises should expand cross-border strategies within the Greater Bay Area by optimizing structured data (FAQs, comparison tables, use cases) for better AI citation frequency and inbound traffic from Mainland China.

How SDMC supports GEO Implementation

Hong Kong enterprises should proactively invest by optimizing content structure, authority endorsements, structured markup, and digital promotion to boost AI citation rates across multilingual scenarios, while flexibly adapting content strategies to real market demands like the Greater Bay Area and ESG. This will be crucial for competing in future information channels such as AI search, Q&A, and recommendations.

 

Content Optimization Strategies

  • Continuously expand and refine website content and technical structures
  • Structure content and data based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
  • Create high-quality, authoritative materials

 

Expected Outcomes

  • Transition from “never cited by AI” to “referenced or recommended by AI”
  • Increase citation and recommendation frequency
  • Improve ranking in AI responses
  • Enhance visibility, authority, and customer trust
  • Boost sales opportunities

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