How to Rank in Generative Artificial Intelligence Engines

With AI adoption skyrocketing across industries, it’s more important than ever for businesses to understand the impact of ranking—or failing to rank—on generative AI search engines. ChatGPT alone grew from 400 million weekly users to 800 million weekly users in 2026. More people are turning to AI for answers than ever before, which means your visibility in these engines can directly influence your success.

Here’s a three-step process to help your business improve its Generative Engine Optimization (GEO):

1) Understand Your Customers

This may sound obvious, but it’s deeply connected to GEO. Knowing your audience is the foundation of ranking well. Ask yourself:

· What segment are you targeting?

· What products or services are they searching for?

· What prompts or questions are they using?

· What niche does your business occupy?

The more specialized your business, the easier it is to rank—unless you’re already a large enterprise. If you’re unsure where you stand, start by searching the queries you believe your customers use and see where you appear. Analyze competitors: what content are they posting, and why are they ranking higher? If you’re already ranking well, great—now let’s focus on maintaining that position.

2) Ensure Your Content Is Up-to-Date and Customer-Focused

Once you understand your customers and competitive landscape, it’s time to build credibility. Here’s a practical checklist:

· Claim Your Profiles: Secure your Google Business Profile and all relevant social accounts.

· Complete All Fields: Fill in every detail on your listings to avoid gaps that could hurt visibility.

· Verify Accuracy: Ensure business information is consistent across platforms. For example, if you’re a pharmacy open late and on holidays, list those hours everywhere.

· Create Relevant Content: Publish content that answers your customers’ questions. Position yourself as an expert source in your niche.

· Optimize Your Website: Keep it updated with fresh images, keywords, and SEO best practices. Tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Screaming Frog SEO Spider can help—or explore how SORBUS Marketing can support you.

· Engage Your Community: Participate in forums, social threads, and review sites like Reddit and Yelp. Respond promptly and politely to build trust and positive reviews—key factors for GEO.

3) Track Your Progress

If you’re not measuring performance, start now. Monitor:

· Site visitors

· Link clicks

· Referral sources

Even simple steps—like adding “How did you hear about us?” to forms—can provide valuable insights. Set monthly GEO benchmarks and adjust your content strategy to align with customer goals. This data-driven approach will help drive engagement and sales.

Need professional help with GEO or SEO? Consider how SORBUS Marketing can connect your business to the right customers. If you found this guide helpful, subscribe to our newsletter for weekly marketing strategy updates.