How to Monitor GEO / AEO Conversions

We're doing Generative Engine Optimization, except we're calling it SEO and not realizing the fundamental shift that's happening. The way people search is changing. Instead of typing keywords into Google and clicking through 10 blue links, they're asking ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity direct questions and getting comprehensive answers. But here's the thing - these AI systems still need to pull information from somewhere. They're indexing content, understanding context, and synthesizing responses based on what they find online. Traditional SEO focused on ranking for specific keywords in search engines. GEO focuses on being the source that AI systems reference and cite when answering user queries. The strategies are different: - Instead of keyword density, focus on comprehensive topic coverage - Instead of backlinks, focus on being referenced and cited - Instead of page speed, focus on content clarity and structure - Instead of meta descriptions, focus on context that AI can understand We're already doing some of this without realizing it. When we create authoritative, well-structured content that answers questions comprehensively, we're doing GEO. The companies that understand this shift early will have a massive advantage. While everyone else is still optimizing for traditional search, they'll be optimizing for the future of how people find information. What do you think? Are you already seeing this shift in your SEO work?