What it is
Generative engines write a fresh answer by pulling from sources they trust, then naming some of them. GEO is the work of being one of those named sources. It favors content that is comprehensive, well-organized, and easy for a model to summarize accurately.
Why it matters
A generated answer often shows only a handful of citations. Being in that set sends qualified traffic and, more importantly, puts your brand inside the answer your buyer reads first. GEO and AEO are not rivals. They are layers: AEO supplies the clean answers, GEO builds the broader context a model reasons over.
What to do
Publish thorough, well-structured content on the topics you want to own. Use clear headings, supporting data, and internal links so a model can follow your reasoning and cite you as a complete source.