Understanding AI Search Discoverability with Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)

If you’ve been patting yourself on the back for being number one on Google, here’s the bad news: it doesn’t mean what it used to.

 

A Yorkshire PR Win Worth Shouting About

 

Before diving into the SEO chaos, some good news from our side. We’ve just been appointed by Burgess Pet Care to handle its UK PR. The work covers everything from Burgess Excel to Guinea Pig Awareness Week, the UK Guinea Pig Welfare Forum, and the 20th Rabbit Awareness Week.

It’s a brilliant Yorkshire partnership built on trust, purpose, and proper storytelling. And yes, we love pets, but what we love even more is working with people who actually care about doing things right.

 

The Harsh Truth About Google’s AI GEO Takeover

 

Right, back to business. On this week’s Embracing Marketing Mistakes podcast, we talked about how Google’s AI Overviews have quietly changed the rules of SEO.

You can still rank first, but that doesn’t mean people are clicking anymore. Google now gives users the answer directly on the search page. So, that shiny position one spot you worked so hard for? It’s hidden behind an AI-generated wall of text.

This means your traffic might fall even if your rankings stay solid. It’s not a glitch; it’s Google deciding it can do your job better.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Being featured in those AI summaries isn’t about keywords anymore. It’s about authority and reputation. That’s why we’ve started calling this new game Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). You don’t win by gaming algorithms anymore; you win by being the brand that others trust enough to quote.

At Prohibition, we saw this shift early. When AI Overviews rolled out, some of our clients lost almost half their web traffic, yet the leads that came in were stronger than ever. It turns out authority now beats vanity metrics every time.

As Chris put it, Google doesn’t want you writing for spiders anymore. It wants you writing for humans, and it’s judging your credibility based on what the rest of the internet says about you.

How to Win at GEO Without Losing Your Mind

 

1. Sort Your On-Site Stuff

Make your content something AI can actually understand and trust.

• Use clear headings and FAQs.
• Add quotable snippets.
• Include real authors with bios and credentials.
• Keep your info up to date.
• Don’t hide your best content behind a form.

2. Build Off-Site Authority

PR is now essential. Get your brand mentioned in credible outlets, build strong reviews, and make sure your listings are accurate. GEO isn’t about shouting the loudest. It’s about being the brand everyone else is talking about for the right reasons.

3. Fix the Tech Gremlins

Broken links, messy metadata, and missing schema all get in the way. Make sure your site is clean and machine-readable. If your dev team isn’t thinking about this yet, now’s the time for a chat.

Clicks are dropping, paid costs are rising, and the only way to stay visible is simple: be the source that AI trusts and cites.

 

Want to Know How Visible You Really Are?

 

We’re offering a free GEO Audit Discovery Call to help brands see where they stand in AI answers, identify missing authority signals, and learn how to fix them fast.

One call. Clear answers. No jargon.

👉 Book your call.

Check out our last blog here: Mastering Modern PR: Media Training, YouTube & Meta AI

 

Upcoming Free Marketing Events from Prohibition

 

• Social Media Trends for 2026
• Impact on a Shoestring: PR for Charities
• Media Training Masterclass: Nail Your Key Messages

 

 

Wrapping AEO/GEO Up

 

Ranking first on Google doesn’t mean you’ll get clicks anymore. Google’s already giving peo ple the answers, so the real game now is about building authority and trust.

SEO and PR work together more than ever. If you want AI to recognise your brand, you’ve got to earn that spot through credibility and proper reputation building.

At Prohibition, we’re helping brands do exactly that. If you want to see how visible you really are, book a GEO Audit Call.