Generative AI search optimisation: complete 2026 guide

Search experiences are evolving: Google incorporates generative features, while ChatGPT and Perplexity can browse the web depending on the product and context. Actual use varies greatly with the market, query and measurement method. This guide therefore adopts no generic percentage for that shift.

The same search may involve traditional results, a generative summary, an assistant or several of these surfaces. Rather than inventing a universal distribution, measure observable journeys in Search Console, analytics and a defined query panel.

AEO, GEO and LLMO are market terminology. Google specifies that optimisation for its generative features remains SEO. These terms can help organise the work, but describe neither official standards nor accessible algorithms.

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) generally refers to work on direct answers, snippets and easy-to-understand content. There is no fixed timeframe or single lever. FAQPage markup should not be added automatically and guarantees no display.

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) covers efforts aimed at generative summaries integrated into search engines. For Google, the official priorities remain original, useful content, clear technical structure, indexability and a good page experience.

LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization) refers to tests carried out on independent assistants. Platforms may combine different models, search indexes and bots. No public schedule allows anyone to promise a citation or its stability. For the detailed method, see our guide to making a website visible to AI assistants.

In practice, these three perspectives share the same foundation: reliable information, original content, accessible pages, consistent identity, useful internal links and measurement. Specific requirements follow from each platform’s public documentation.

SEO remains the documented foundation for Google, including its generative features. A page must be crawlable, indexable and eligible to display a snippet. To understand differences in terminology and measurement, read our comparison of AEO and SEO in the age of answer engines.

A typical approach for a Brussels SME:

• Layer 1 · Traditional SEO: Ahrefs keywords, hub-and-spoke structure, on-page optimisation, Belgian link building. The foundation everything rests on.
• Layer 2 · Useful answers: clear sections, attributed facts, tables or lists when the format genuinely helps the reader.
• Layer 3 · Trust: identified authors, primary sources, explicit limitations and structured data suited to visible content.
• Layer 4 · Platforms: robots.txt rules based on officially published bot names, followed by clearly labelled experiments.

An additional file or markup does not compensate for an inaccessible website or generic content. Google states, in particular, that llms.txt neither helps nor harms visibility in Search.

This sequence proposes work phases. Their duration depends on page volume, data quality and production resources.

• Phase 1 · Audit and scoping: indexing, architecture, content, structured data, bots and current measurement on a stable panel.
• Phase 2 · Technical foundations: fix crawling barriers, canonicals, internal linking and genuinely relevant markup.
• Phase 3 · Editorial value: publish content based on experience, original data or answers better documented than existing summaries.
• Phase 4 · External sources: make official profiles and registers accessible, then seek authentic editorial mentions when the subject warrants it.
• Phase 5 · Measurement: analyse Search Console, referrers and manual tests, preserving the date, query, product and context.
• Phase 6 · Maintenance: update facts, sources, bot rules and outdated content.

Free or freemium tools sufficient for an SME:

• Google Search Console: indexing, Search performance and the generative AI features report when available
• Schema.org Validator (free): validation of JSON-LD Schema
• Google Rich Results Test (free): rich snippet previews
• Crawling tool: technical checks and page inventory
• ChatGPT and Perplexity: dated manual tests, without treating them as a stable ranking
• Wikidata: consultation or contribution only in compliance with its rules
• Monitoring tool: useful if its method, coverage and limitations are documented

3 categories of KPIs to track monthly:

• Discovery: indexed pages, impressions and queries in Search Console.
• Observed references: presence and cited source on a dated query panel, with the product and context retained.
• Traffic and value: identifiable referrers, landing pages, attributable conversions and measurement limitations.

A client result should be published only if Kanexio retains the source, period, denominator, attribution method and verification date. An isolated screenshot or undated manual test is not enough to demonstrate progress.

For assistant citations, retain at least the exact query wording, account or mode used, date, country, answer and displayed links. Present the result as an observation at that moment, not as a systematic presence.

Kanexio case studies now distinguish publicly visible elements, documented internal measurements and unpublished information. This separation avoids turning a commercial hypothesis into data.

For an SME starting out, the pace depends on the website, editorial resources and available evidence:

• Step 1: audit, indexing, architecture, bots and initial measurement
• Step 2: fix the foundations and publish a first piece of content that truly stands out
• Step 3: enrich with evidence, sources and formats useful to the reader
• Step 4: monitor, maintain and make decisions based on observed results

The budget must be established after an inventory of the scope. Kanexio promises neither generic traffic increases, stable citations nor systematic inclusion in a generative answer.

To get started: a free 30-minute audit by video call with Hani. PDF summary + 3 priority actions identified within 48 hours.