GEO: The New SEO — Get Found on ChatGPT & Perplexity

When a Saudi consumer asks ChatGPT 'What's the best marketing agency in Riyadh?', the answer they get isn't based on Google rankings. It's based on what AI models have learned from the internet — blog posts, reviews, mentions, structured data. This is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), and it's the most important new channel for Saudi businesses in 2025.

How AI Search Works

ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews don't crawl the web in real-time (mostly). They rely on training data and, increasingly, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) — pulling from indexed sources at query time. To be cited by these systems, your brand needs to exist as an authoritative, well-structured, frequently-mentioned entity across the web.

The 4 Pillars of GEO

First, structured data: implement schema.org markup on your website so AI systems can understand exactly what your business does, where you're located, and what you offer. Second, authoritative content: publish long-form, expert content that answers the questions your customers are asking AI. Third, citation building: get mentioned in industry publications, local directories, and review platforms. Fourth, entity establishment: ensure your business is consistently described the same way across Google Business Profile, social media, and your website.

GEO for Saudi Businesses

The Saudi market has a specific GEO opportunity: Arabic-language AI search is still underdeveloped. Most AI models have significantly less Arabic training data than English. This means that Saudi businesses that invest in high-quality Arabic content now will have a disproportionate advantage as Arabic AI search matures. The window to establish authority is open — but it won't be for long.

Where to Start

Start with a GEO audit: ask ChatGPT and Perplexity about your business category in Riyadh. If you're not mentioned, you have work to do. Then implement schema markup, publish 2–4 expert articles per month, and build your review presence on Google, Tripadvisor (for F&B), and Trustpilot. aiSocial's GEO service handles all of this — and we measure success by AI citation rate, not just Google rankings.