Optimizing Your Website for LLMs: GEO vs SEO and What It Means for You
The way people search online is changing fast. Instead of typing keywords into a search bar, more people are turning to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Perplexity to ask full questions and get conversational answers. These tools use large language models (LLMs) to pull and summarize information from across the web.
This shift has given rise to a new concept: GEO - Generative Engine Optimization. It's a bit different from traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and it's something website owners should start paying attention to.
What's the Difference Between SEO and GEO?
SEO is about making your website show up in search engine results, especially Google. You focus on keywords, meta tags, backlinks, page speed, structured data, and other factors to improve your ranking.
GEO, on the other hand, is about making your content understandable and useful to LLMs. These models don't rank search results in the same way. Instead, they try to answer questions directly by summarizing and interpreting content from many websites.
That means your content needs to be:
- Clear and factually accurate
- Well-structured and easy to interpret
- Trustworthy and authoritative
- Not hidden behind logins or overly complex layouts
Why GEO Matters
When people ask ChatGPT or another AI tool, "What's the best way to waterproof a basement?" or "What are the pros and cons of Shopify?", those tools don't show a list of links. They generate an answer based on their training data and indexed sources.
If your site's content isn't accessible or understandable to the LLM, you won't show up in the generated responses - even if you've done a great job with SEO.
Being LLM-friendly means your brand can be mentioned as a trusted source in answers, summaries, and recommendations. That's visibility you don't want to miss out on.
What Are llms.txt Files?
A newer technique gaining traction is using llms.txt files - simple, structured text files designed specifically for LLMs to read. Think of it like a sitemap for generative engines.
These files can include:
- Summaries of your services or products
- Straightforward answers to common questions
- Key facts or data points
- Information about your business location, credentials, and authority
They help LLMs understand what your site is about and extract accurate info quickly. llms.txt files don't replace traditional SEO tools like robots.txt or sitemap.xml, but they complement them in a new landscape.
Practical Tips for GEO
- Write in plain language: Skip the jargon unless it's necessary. Clear writing is easier for LLMs to parse and summarize.
- Structure your content: Use headings, lists, and short paragraphs to improve readability.
- Answer real questions: Think about what your customers might ask and include straightforward answers in your content.
- Publish an llms.txt file: Add a plain-text file to your site with summaries, FAQ-style content, and key business facts.
- Keep your site public and crawlable: Avoid putting important content behind paywalls or login screens.
How We Help at DesignCoil
At DesignCoil, we've been building websites for over a decade, and we stay on top of how search and content are evolving. We now help our clients optimize not just for search engines, but for LLMs too.
Whether you need a full website audit, help writing an llms.txt file, or just want to make sure your content shows up in AI-generated results, we've got the tools and experience to help.
Contact us to start optimizing your content for today's web - and tomorrow's.