GEO vs SEO: What Actually Changed?
Traditional SEO was built for one main thing: blue links on Google’s results page. If you ranked high, you won.
GEO is different. AI engines don’t just list links. They summarize. They pick a few sources,
mash the info together, and give the user one clean answer.
Old World: SEO
- Optimize pages for specific keywords
- Fight for spots on page 1
- Chase backlinks and domain authority
- Hope users click your link
New World: GEO
- Optimize facts, not just pages
- Feed AI clear, structured information
- Earn mentions in AI’s training and live crawl
- Become the business AI recommends by name
The 3 Pillars of GEO for Local Businesses
Pillar 1: Entity Clarity
AI needs to know exactly who you are, where you are, and what you do. Not in marketing language — in
facts. That means:
- Same name, address, and phone everywhere (website, Google, Facebook, directories)
- Specific service descriptions in plain English
- A “Facts About Us” or “About Our Business” page listing 15–25 simple facts
Pillar 2: Answer Pages
GEO isn’t just “add more blogs.” It’s building clear answers to the exact questions customers ask AI. Think:
- “How much does [your service] cost in [your city]?”
- “Who is the best [service] for [specific problem]?”
- “Is [service] worth it for [type of customer]?”
Each one deserves its own page, written like you’re explaining it to a neighbor — not a search engine.
Pillar 3: Structured Data & Citations
GEO also uses “machine language” — things like schema markup, consistent directory listings,
and citations that give AI confidence you’re legit and active.
- LocalBusiness schema on your homepage and contact page
- Service and FAQ schema on key answer pages
- Accurate profiles on maps, local directories, and industry sites
A Simple GEO Checklist for South Texas Businesses
- Search your business name in ChatGPT and Perplexity. Do you show up at all?
- Search “best [your service] in [your city]”. Who shows up instead of you?
- Create one “Facts About Us” page and one “Pricing / What to Expect” page this week.
- Make sure your Google Business Profile matches your website exactly.
- Add LocalBusiness schema to your homepage (or have a pro do it).
What to Do Before You Close This Tab
Option 1: DIY the GEO Foundation
This week’s homework:
- Write a 20-bullet “Facts About Our Business” page.
- List out the top 5 questions customers ask and create one page per question.
- Clean up your Google Business Profile so hours, categories, and services are exact.
This alone can move you ahead of most local competitors who never update anything.
Option 2: Get Your GEO Readiness Score (Free)
Our AI Snapshot looks at your entity, answers, and citations and gives you a simple score out of 100.
- How clearly AI can identify your business
- How many “answer assets” you already have
- Where you’re losing trust to competitors
Get My Free AI Snapshot →
No jargon. We explain what to fix in plain English.
Option 3: Have RDS Handle GEO for You
Reyes Digital Solutions builds and maintains GEO systems for local South Texas businesses — laundromats,
home services, clinics, restaurants, and more. We keep your facts, content, and signals in sync so AI
keeps sending you customers while you run the business.
Bottom Line
GEO is not “extra SEO.” It’s the layer that decides who AI names in the answer box. If you ignore it, your
competitors get mentioned and you don’t. If you lean into it now, you can own your niche before everyone
else wakes up.
Check your AI visibility now →
