AIO & GEO – How to Get Your Business Recommended By AI

For wedding professionals, service-based businesses, and small business owners. What you need to know about AIO and GEO and how to get your business recommended by AI in 2026.

If you've been anywhere online lately, you've probably seen terms like "AIO" and "GEO" floating around. And if you're like most busy business owners, you probably thought, "Great, another acronym to worry about."

What do they even mean?

AIO is AI Overviews (those AI descriptions at the top of your Google search results)

GEO is Generative Engine Optimization (when AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT recommend businesses to people asking questions about certain industries or services)

And you've also probably been wondering if SEO still matters or if it's getting replaced by AIO or GEO.

Here's the good news: AIO and GEO are not replacing traditional SEO. They're just new ways search engines are showing information to people. The foundation of getting picked up and recommended by AI tools is good old-fashioned SEO and helpful content. SEO helps AI tools find you in the first place, but what makes them actually recommend you is the quality of your content.

In this post, I break down what AIO and GEO actually are and why they matter for wedding and service-based businesses. I'll also explain why basic SEO still matters for getting found by AI, and what makes AI tools choose to recommend your business over someone else's.

What Are AIO and GEO?

Let's start with the basics, because these terms get thrown around like confetti at a wedding reception but rarely get explained in plain English.

AIO (AI Overviews)

AI Overviews are those generated summaries that sometimes appear at the top of Google search results. They pull information from multiple sources and present it in a neat little box and show it to you before you even scroll down to the search results.

Google introduced these as part of their Search Generative Experience (SGE). The idea is to give searchers quick answers without having to bounce between websites. It's convenient for users, and potentially frustrating for website owners who want those clicks.

For example, if someone searches "what questions to ask a wedding planner," they might see an AI-generated summary pulling from the top-ranking articles, with source links below.

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)

GEO is the practice of optimizing your content so it gets picked up and referenced by AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews. It's kind of like SEO's newer baby sibling. Instead of optimizing just for search engines, you're also optimizing for AI language models that generate responses.

The goal is to get your website, blog posts, and content cited as a source when people ask these AI tools questions related to your services. If someone asks ChatGPT "how much does a wedding planner cost in Denver," you want your pricing guide or service descriptions page to be one of the sources the AI pulls from.

This is a fantastic opportunity for websites with interesting, helpful content to get rewarded by being displayed at the very top of the search results. This is why SEO still matters!

Why Do AIO and GEO Matter for Wedding Professionals and Service-Based Businesses?

Because your potential clients are using AI tools. A lot.

People planning weddings or looking for service providers are turning to ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and other generative AI tools to research options, compare pricing, and get recommendations. If your business isn't showing up in those AI-generated responses, you're missing out on visibility. And your competition will get recommended instead.

Think about what your target clients are searching for:

•        A bride-to-be asks ChatGPT for "best wedding photographers in Austin" and gets a list of recommendations with pricing ranges

•        A small business owner searches "how to choose a florist for your wedding" and gets an AI Overview summarizing what to watch out for when comparing options

•        A stressed-out couple Googles "DIY wedding vs hiring a planner" and sees an AI-generated comparison, showing you 20 things you never even considered

In all these scenarios, the AI is pulling information from somewhere. You want that somewhere to be your website.

For wedding professionals specifically (planners, photographers, florists, makeup artists, mobile bars, etc), this matters because wedding planning is information-heavy. People have a million questions. AI tools are becoming the new search engine for getting quick, consolidated answers. If you're not part of that conversation, you're invisible. Your competitors are getting recommended. Make sure you are too.

The Foundation: Regular SEO Helps AI Find You

Here's where I'm going to save you a ton of stress: you don't need to completely overhaul your SEO strategy or learn a bunch of new tactics to get recommended by AI.

The exact same fundamentals that help you rank on Google also help you get picked up by AI tools.

AI models like ChatGPT, Claude and Google's AI Overviews don't pull information out of thin air. They scan the web, prioritize high-quality content, and cite credible sources. Sound familiar? That's literally what Google has been doing for decades.

So if your website already has these things, then you're already making it possible for AI tools to find you:

•        Clear, well-structured content

•        Properly optimized pages with targeted keywords

•        Helpful blog posts that answer real questions

•        Good site speed and mobile optimization

•        Backlinks from credible sources

Traditional SEO practices like keyword research, on-page optimization, quality content creation, and technical SEO help AI tools discover your content. But here's the critical part: just because AI can find you doesn't mean they'll recommend you.

You can be on page 1 of Google and still not get recommended by AI if your content is generic, outdated, or unhelpful. AI tools will skip right over you and recommend the competitor with better content instead.

So instead of stressing about a whole new optimization strategy, focus on doing SEO right so AI can find you, and creating genuinely helpful content so AI will actually recommend you.

What Makes AI Recommend Your Business

Okay, so you're doing your regular SEO so AI tools can find you. But what makes them actually recommend you? Here are the specific things that influence whether AI chooses your business.

1. Answer Questions Directly and Clearly

AI tools scan for straightforward answers to specific questions. When you're writing content, think about what your ideal clients are actually asking and answer those questions directly.

Use natural language. If someone's wondering "How far in advance should I book a wedding photographer," use that exact phrasing as a heading, then answer it in the first sentence or two below.

This isn't about gaming the system. It's about being genuinely helpful. When your content clearly answers real questions people have, both Google and AI tools recognize it as valuable and are more likely to recommend it.

The key is specificity. Don't write vague content about "wedding planning timelines." Write about "when to book your venue," "how long before the wedding to order flowers," and "what to do 3 months before your wedding day." Specific, useful answers to specific questions.

2. Write Comprehensive, In-Depth Content

AI models favor detailed content over surface-level fluff. If you're writing a blog post about "choosing a wedding photographer," don't just list three generic tips.

Go deep:

•        Explain the different photography styles (traditional, photojournalistic, fine art)

•        Talk about what to look for in a portfolio

•        Include pricing ranges (even general ones)

•        Address common concerns (availability, contracts, what's included)

The more valuable and thorough your content is, the more likely it is to be referenced by AI tools.

3. Keep Your Content Fresh and Updated

AI models prioritize recent information. If you wrote a blog post in 2022 and haven't touched it since, it's less likely to be cited than a post from 2024 or 2025.

Go back through your existing content every few months and refresh it:

• Update any outdated stats or pricing

• Add new examples from recent work

• Expand sections that could be more detailed

• Fix anything that's changed in your industry

Even small updates signal to AI (and Google) that your site is active and the information is current. A refreshed post from 2019 with a 2025 update date will outrank a stale post every time.

This also gives you an excuse to re-share old content. "Updated for 2025" is a valid reason to promote something again without creating entirely new content from scratch.

4. Show Real Examples and Specific Numbers

AI tools prioritize concrete information over vague statements. Instead of saying "wedding planners typically cost several thousand dollars," say "full-service wedding planners in Denver typically charge $3,000-$8,000."

Include real data points:

• Actual pricing ranges (even if they're estimates)

• Specific timelines ("book your photographer 9-12 months in advance")

• Real vendor names and recommendations when relevant

• Concrete examples from your own experience

Vague content doesn't get cited. Specific, actionable information does. AI models look for this kind of concrete detail when pulling together answers for users.

5. Build Authority and Backlinks

Just like Google, AI tools trust authoritative sources. The more your site is linked to by reputable websites (wedding blogs, industry directories, local news sites), the more credible you appear to AI models.

Ways to build backlinks:

•        Guest post on industry blogs

•        Get featured in local publications or wedding roundups

•        Submit your business to relevant directories (The Knot, WeddingWire, Yelp, Google Business Profile)

•        Collaborate with other vendors and link to each other

Again, this is classic SEO. But it also boosts your chances of being cited by AI.

6. Use Natural Language (Talk Like a Human)

AI tools are trained on conversational language. So write the way you'd explain something to a real person sitting across from you.

Avoid:

• Industry jargon and cliche buzzwords

• Anything that sounds like AI wrote it

• Overly formal or stiff writing

• Keyword stuffing (for example: Vancouver wedding planner plan wedding in Vancouver plan elopement wedding)

Instead, write in a friendly, approachable tone. Use real examples. Tell stories. Be helpful, not salesy. Use AI to help if you need to but make it your own.

This makes your content more engaging for human readers and more likely to be picked up by LLMs looking for quality, conversational content.

So Getting Recommended by AI Happens Automatically?

Yes! Well, sort of. If you're feeling overwhelmed by AIO and GEO, here's the takeaway:

SEO helps AI find you. Quality content gets you recommended.

Here's what I mean by that: This post focuses on content strategies. What to write and how to write it. But content alone isn't enough. If your site's technical foundation isn't solid, AI tools won't be able to find or access your content in the first place. You need both pieces working together.

Need help with the basics? Check out my comprehensive SEO series for small businesses:

Part 1: Keywords, On-Page SEO & Content

Part 2: Mobile Design, Page Speed & Backlinks

Part 3: Technical SEO, Local SEO & Google Search Console

AI tools and generative search features aren't replacing traditional SEO, they're building on it. Basic SEO helps you get found. Quality content gets you recommended. You need both.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

• Make sure your site has good SEO fundamentals so AI can find you (keywords, proper structure, page speed, backlinks, mobile friendly)

• Write helpful, detailed content that answers real questions, using natural, conversational language

• Be specific with real examples, pricing, and timelines

• Keep your content fresh and updated regularly

Do those things consistently, and AI tools will find you and recommend you.

If you're working with me for a website redesign or a new site, I'll make sure your site is optimized for both traditional search engines and AI tools from day one. And if you need help with content strategy, keyword research, or copywriting, I offer those services too.

Want to learn more about the SEO basics?

Visit my services page for more information on my Wix packages and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between AIO and GEO?

AIO (AI Overviews) refers to the AI-generated summaries that appear in Google search results, while GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing your content to be cited by AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google's AI features.

Do I need to change my entire SEO strategy for AI search?

No! Basic SEO fundamentals (keyword research, site structure, page speed, backlinks, mobile optimization) help AI tools find your content in the first place.

But what makes AI actually recommend you is having quality content - detailed, helpful, up to date information that answers real questions. You need both: SEO to get found, and good content to get recommended.

How do I get my website to show up in ChatGPT or other AI tools?

First, make sure your SEO basics are solid so AI tools can find your content (proper site structure, keywords, page speed, backlinks). Then focus on content quality: create in depth blog posts and guides that answer specific questions, use clear headings and formatting, keep your content updated, and include specific examples and numbers. AI tools prioritize helpful, detailed, current content from credible sources.

Will AI Overviews replace regular search results?

Not entirely. AI Overviews are becoming more common, especially for informational queries, but traditional search results aren't going anywhere. Many searches (especially local searches, product searches, and complex queries) still show standard search results with clickable links. Plus, AI Overviews often include source citations, so there's still an opportunity to drive traffic to your site if you're cited as a source.

Should small businesses and wedding professionals care about GEO?

Yes, because your potential clients are regularly using AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Google's AI Overviews, Perplexity) to research services, compare options, and get recommendations.

If you want to stay visible and get recommended, make sure your site has basic SEO covered so AI can find you, then focus on creating helpful, detailed content. If you're already doing basic SEO and writing good blog posts, you're most of the way there.

How often should I update my content for AI optimization?

There's no magic number, but AI models favor fresh, up-to-date information. Review and refresh your most popular blog posts and service pages at least once or twice a year. You can add new examples, improve formatting, and expand sections where needed.

If you notice a post performing well but the information is outdated, that's a prime candidate for a refresh. Regular updates also signal to Google that your site is active, which helps with traditional SEO too. For a post that's performing extremely well (like it's on page 1 of search results), don't change too much! You don't want to lose your ranking.

Does blogging still matter with AI search?

Absolutely. Blogging is one of the best ways to create the kind of detailed, helpful content that AI tools love to reference. Every blog post gives you another opportunity to answer questions your potential clients are asking, use relevant keywords, and establish your expertise. Plus, fresh blog content keeps your site active and gives you more pages to rank on Google. If anything, blogging is more important now than ever.

What types of content work best for GEO?

AI tools favor comprehensive, well-structured content that directly answers questions. How-to guides, FAQ pages, comparison posts, pricing breakdowns, and detailed service descriptions all perform well.

For wedding professionals, this might include posts like "How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost in [Your City]," "10 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer," or "DIY Wedding vs. Hiring a Coordinator: What's Right for You?" The key is to be specific, thorough, and genuinely helpful.

Can I rank in AI search without ranking on Google first?

It's unlikely. AI tools pull information from sources that are already credible and visible on the web. If your site isn't being found at all (meaning your SEO fundamentals are weak), AI tools probably won't find your content either.

This is why basic SEO still matters. It helps AI discover your content in the first place. Once they find you, quality content is what gets you recommended. Focus on solid SEO basics first, then make sure your content is worth citing.