Is GEO Replacing SEO? Our straight answer and how we use both at Net Branding

For many business owners, this can feel a bit techy. That is okay.

At Net Branding, we take SEO seriously, and adding GEO to our service offering keeps your brand at the front of AI-driven search changes. We will keep it plain, practical, and tied to results so you can run the business while our team handles the details.

Be seen, be heard, be found online.

Since 2008, Net Branding has operated in this space. We support NZ clients and international clients across many industries globally.

If you want experienced hands on this, ask our team to help.

• Google AI Overviews and SGE answer many queries on the page
• Bing Copilot and Perplexity do this too
• Reddit, YouTube and forums feed those answers
• More zero-click outcomes. Fewer easy clicks

What this means for you

• Keep technical SEO tight. Fast load, clean IA, crawlable pages, Core Web Vitals
• Add an answer layer for machines. Clear definitions, short steps, cited claims, tidy headings
• Use schema.org where it helps. Organization, Article, FAQPage, HowTo
• Track more than rankings. Watch AI citations, brand mentions and assisted conversions

Trust cues our Net Branding team follows

• Google Search Essentials. https://developers.google.com/search/docs
• Core Web Vitals by Google. https://web.dev/vitals/
• Bing Webmaster Guidelines. https://www.bing.com/webmasters/help/webmaster-guidelines-30fba23a

A quick gut check we run

• Could a model lift a two-line definition from your page as is
• Do key pages show sources a model can trust
• Is the author real, with credentials and an About page for E-E-A-T

If you are unsure, you are close. GEO helps close the gap.

• Make pages findable and useful in Google and Bing
• Tools and entities we use daily. Google Search Console, site architecture, internal links, Core Web Vitals, backlinks, schema.org

• Generative Engine Optimisation
• Make content easy for AI systems to quote or cite
• Targets Google AI Overviews, SGE, Bing Copilot, Perplexity, ChatGPT with browsing
• Needs crisp definitions, verified claims, citations, clean structure, visible authorship

Helpful references

• Google structured data. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data
• IAB New Zealand for ad standards context. https://www.iab.org.nz/

Short answer. No. GEO layers on top of solid SEO. You still need the basics working hard.

Where SEO stays critical

• Indexation, site architecture, canonicals, internal links
• Local intent, product pages, conversion UX, link earning, PR

Where GEO adds lift

• Definitions, comparisons, how-tos that AI likes to quote
• Pages with stats, original data or examples backed by citations
• Strong entities for people, products, places, brands

Pitfalls our Net Branding team avoids

• Thin, AI-ish summaries with no proof
• Ignoring measurement
• Dropping page speed and CWV

Our rule of thumb

• Ship SEO for discovery and sales
• Add GEO patterns so Google and others can reference you

Reassurance

• Working with Google Search Essentials and Bing Webmaster Guidelines gives durability

You do not need a new team. You need a light layer on top of what you already do.

Plan it

• Map top prompts to pages. Start with what is, vs, and how to
• Prioritise pages already getting impressions in Google Search Console

Structure it

• Add one-line definitions, 3 to 6 steps, and a short pros and cons list
• Mark up with JSON-LD for Article, FAQPage, HowTo
• Keep Core Web Vitals healthy. Faster LCP and stable layout help

Make it quotable

• State a claim. Add a credible source
• Use precise terms for entities. Product names, clinic types, service areas
• Consider an llms.txt policy if your legal team wants clearer crawler guidance

Distribute and measure

• Post condensed versions to LinkedIn and YouTube. Use UTM tags
• Track AI citations, branded search lift and assisted conversions

Practical example

• A SaaS getting started page. Our Net Branding team added a two-line definition, a 5-step setup list and an FAQ with one sourced stat
• We applied the FAQPage schema and tidy headings
• Within weeks, it appeared as a cited source in AI answers and branded searches lifted
• Nothing fancy. Just cleaner blocks to quote

Auckland case study

• A mid-size Auckland clinic refreshed treatment pages with our team
• Each page now leads with
  • One-sentence definition
  • Short pros and cons
  • Timeframes and aftercare steps
  • Pricing range with a source note
  • Mini-FAQ answering is it painful, how long, who is not a fit
• We added Organization and FAQPage schema
• Four weeks later the brand appeared in AI summaries for two common questions. After-hours calls rose
• Channels touched. AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, Reddit threads already ranking, LinkedIn recaps

Use-cases our Net Branding team delivers

• Comparison hubs
  Build X vs Y pages with a small table, a clear verdict and cited sources. Great for prompts like which is better for and helpful when buyers are close to choosing.
• How-to and troubleshooting
  Short steps, inputs and outputs, and a final checklist. This works well in Bing Copilot and Perplexity answers because structured sequences are easy to lift accurately.

Since 2008, Net Branding has operated in this space. We support NZ clients and international clients across many industries globally.
If you want us to map prompts and build answer-ready pages for you, ask our team to help.

Compliance pointers we use

• Advertising Standards Authority NZ codes. https://www.asa.co.nz/codes/codes/
• New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 overview. https://www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-act-2020/

Why this matters

• Generative answers prefer clean structure, verifiable claims and visible authorship
• You still win clicks, but you also win mentions people read first
• Keep three terms in play. JSON-LD, entity disambiguation, Core Web Vitals

Content patterns AI can quote

• One-sentence definitions at the top
• Numbered steps for processes
• Short lists of pros and cons
• Small comparison tables

Your evidence pack

• Add at least one sourced stat per key claim
• Link to high-trust references
• Real author, headshot and credentials. E-E-A-T builds trust

Technical signals

• JSON-LD schema. Article, FAQPage, HowTo, Product
• Descriptive alt text, stable layout, fast LCP and solid INP
• Clean H2 and H3 structure

Entity coverage

• Use consistent names for products, people, brands, places
• Disambiguate with context
• Organisation markup for your brand

Cadence we like

• Week 1. Add FAQs to 5 key pages
• Week 2. Publish one comparison table
• Week 3. Ship a data-backed explainer

Useful tools

• Google PageSpeed Insights. https://pagespeed.web.dev/

Schema.org core types. https://schema.org/docs/full.html

• Add a two-line definition and a 4-step process to your top page
• Insert a mini-FAQ with two sourced answers
• Add FAQPage schema and check Core Web Vitals on that page
• Share a 90-second summary video to LinkedIn and YouTube with UTM links

30-day plan

• Refresh five pages with answer-ready blocks
• Publish one comparison table page
• Collect one small dataset you can cite on a priority topic

90-day plan

• Ship a data-backed explainer with original insights
• Earn two niche references from forums or industry sites
• Review AI citations and expand pages that got quoted

We get this a lot. It drafts fast. It cannot replace the whole job.

What ChatGPT helps with

• Topic research, outlines, briefs, draft FAQs
• Entity and question discovery
• Draft meta titles and descriptions for human edit

What it cannot replace

• Technical fixes, site architecture, Core Web Vitals
• Real link earning and PR
• Human judgement, brand voice, compliance and accuracy checks

Safe ways our team uses it

• Treat it like a junior assistant
• Pair outputs with subject-matter experts
• Fact-check claims. Add sources and real examples
• Keep your voice. Always edit

If you work with any agency, ask about

• Google Partner status for ads proficiency
• GA4 certifications on the team
• Memberships such as IAB New Zealand

Leading indicators

• Inclusion in AI Overviews, Copilot, Perplexity
• Read more citations or explicit source links
• Share of answers for target prompts

Lagging indicators

• Organic clicks and assisted conversions
• Branded search growth and direct traffic
• Lead quality from pages with answer blocks

KPI template you can copy

• AI citations. Manual check weekly on 10 priority prompts
• Share of answers. Percentage of prompts where your brand is referenced
• Branded search clicks. GA4, month on month
• Assisted conversions. GA4 paths that include pages with answer blocks
• Page experience. LCP and INP from PageSpeed Insights

Tooling and methods

• Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools
• Brand-mention monitors and SERP feature trackers
• UTM discipline for LinkedIn, YouTube and forum posts

Reporting tips we use

• Show rankings, traffic and AI citations side by side
• Attribute assist where AI mentions precede branded clicks
• Log what we changed each month

Transparency, costs and limits

• Typical SME engagement in NZ starts from a few thousand dollars for a 6 to 8 week sprint
• That covers audits, content updates, schema and a light GEO layer
• Ongoing GEO plus SEO retainers scale with scope. We scope case by case

Setting expectations

• No agency can guarantee AI Overview placement
• Models change often. Re-validation is part of the job
• Competitive sectors may need 8 to 16 weeks to see stable AI citations
• Results and pricing may vary by location, industry and device

Since 2008, Net Branding has operated in this space. We support NZ clients and international clients across many industries globally.
If you are ready to see what this looks like for your business, ask us to set up a short plan and quote.

We are a real Auckland team at Net Branding. You can reach us via the contact page, and if you prefer a quick call first, that works for us.

• Google Search Central. https://developers.google.com/search/docs
• Core Web Vitals on web.dev. https://web.dev/vitals/
• Bing Webmaster Guidelines. https://www.bing.com/webmasters/help/webmaster-guidelines-30fba23a
• ASA NZ Codes for sensitive topics. https://www.asa.co.nz/codes/codes/

Selected client feedback on our Net Branding Limited Google Reviews.  In summary, many of our reviews reflect the following.

1. Overwhelmingly positive feedback on the expertise, professionalism, and dedication of the Net Branding team, particularly Cathy Mellett.
2. Consistent praise for the team’s ability to boost online presence, increase conversions, and drive business success through digital marketing strategies.
3. Appreciation for the team’s transparent, communicative, and client-centric approach, as well as their responsiveness and willingness to go above and beyond.
4. Numerous testimonials highlighting the tangible results and significant improvements seen by clients after working with Net Branding.
5. Recognition of the team’s deep understanding of the digital landscape, including SEO, social media, and content marketing, and their ability to provide tailored solutions.
6. Gratitude for the team’s support and guidance in navigating complex digital challenges, such as website issues, hacking incidents, and social media management.
7. Consistent recommendation of Net Branding’s services to others seeking to enhance their online presence and achieve their business goals.

Team credibility

• Our Net Branding team holds Google Ads and GA4 certifications
• Case studies available on request. Real timelines. Real numbers

1) Do I need GEO if my SEO is already working

Yes. Keep your SEO. Add a light GEO layer.
Write quotable blocks. Use FAQPage and HowTo schema.
Aim to be cited in Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot and Perplexity.

2) What is the quickest GEO win I can ship today

Pick one top page.
Add a two-line definition, a 4-step process and two sourced FAQs.
Publish JSON-LD. Recheck Core Web Vitals.

3) How do I know if AI is quoting my site

Search a few priority prompts.
Look for your brand in AI Overviews and Copilot answers.
Track branded search lift in GA4 and keep a weekly log.

4) Will GEO hurt my rankings

No, if you keep SEO hygiene.
You are adding structure, clarity and sources.
That helps users and machines. Rankings often hold or improve.

5) What should I measure first for GEO

AI citations for 10 target prompts.
Share of answers across those prompts.
Branded clicks in GA4 and assisted conversions from pages with answer blocks.

Ready to move
Tell our Net Branding team and we will get you started.