More and more people no longer search on Google: they ask ChatGPT, Perplexity or Gemini. And Google itself now answers at the top of the page with its AI Overviews. The result: ranking well is no longer enough, you also need to be cited by AI engines. That’s the job of GEO and AEO, and it’s still a low-competition field in Morocco.
SEO, AEO, GEO: what are we talking about?
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization): ranking well in Google’s classic results.
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): being the answer chosen by answer engines (AI Overviews, featured snippets, voice assistants).
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): being cited and recommended by generative AIs (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude) in their answers.
The common thread: it’s no longer just about ranking, but about being the source the machine chooses to cite.
Why it’s strategic now
When a prospect asks an AI “which digital agency should I pick in Casablanca?” or “how much does an e-commerce site cost in Morocco?”, the answer cites a few sources. Being among them captures intent at the exact moment of decision, often before the person even opens a classic search engine. And since few Moroccan players optimise for AI yet, the window of opportunity is open.
How to get cited by AI engines
- Clear, structured content: explicit headings, direct answers to questions, lists and tables that models extract easily.
- Authority and proof: hard numbers, concrete cases, demonstrated expertise (E-E-A-T). AIs favour reliable, citable sources.
- Structured data (schema.org): help machines understand your content (FAQ, articles, organisation, reviews).
- Consistent off-site presence: brand mentions, citations, local NAP consistency. AIs cross-reference multiple sources.
- An llms.txt file: point the models to your site’s key pages.
- Answer real questions: structure content around your audience’s actual questions, not isolated keywords.
What it changes for your content
Content designed for AI is also better for humans: clearer, more direct, better structured. The good news is that good GEO/AEO work reinforces your classic SEO rather than competing with it. The reverse is also true: thin content, with no proof or structure, will be ignored by Google and AIs alike.
Measuring your AI visibility
Track your brand mentions in the answers of the main assistants, your presence in AI Overviews on your target queries, and referral traffic from Perplexity or ChatGPT. It’s a new field, but already measurable.
This is exactly the ground of N0, our AI agency, and an axis we build into any SEO & growth strategy. To prepare your visibility on AI search, let’s talk.
