Quick Summary
Generative AI search (like Google’s SGE and other AI-first engines) is moving beyond simple keywords. Instead of matching exact phrases, AI is understanding concepts, entities, locations, and relationships. To rank in this new search environment, we need to shift from “how many keywords can I fit in this post?” to “how clearly am I answering the user’s real question with trusted, locally relevant, expert content?” That means:
Build entity-based topical authority (especially local San Diego signals)
Give short, direct answers near the top
Support answers with experience and expertise (E-E-A-T)
Interlink service pages with SEO-friendly anchor text like SEO company San Diego and SEO expert in San Diego
Write for both humans and AI summaries
Call/text me if you want this done for you: (619) 719-1315
Why I’m Shifting My SEO Strategy in San Diego
I’ve been doing SEO in San Diego long enough to watch Google change from “exact match keywords win” to “we understand what you meant.” Now we’re at the next stage: Google, Bing, and other platforms are generating answers, not just listing websites. That’s a huge deal.
As the owner of an SEO company in San Diego, I see local businesses relying on old strategies—stuffing keywords, writing thin FAQs, ignoring entities—and then wondering why AI search or SGE boxes don’t show their site. It’s not that your content is bad. It’s that the search experience has changed.
This article is me walking you through how I think about SEO now—especially the difference between classic keyword SEO and concept/entity SEO, and how “GEO vs AEO” fits into that. I’ll keep it simple, but I won’t dumb it down. You’re running a business; you need strategy, not fluff.
What Do GEO and AEO Even Mean?
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
GEO is about optimizing your content so AI-driven search experiences—like Google’s SGE—can easily pull, summarize, and trust it. Instead of just ranking #1, you want to be included in AI’s “here’s the answer” section.
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
AEO is about giving clear, structured, concise answers so answer engines (think voice search, AI chatbots, SGE summaries) can grab your content. It’s very “what’s the best short answer to this?”
In reality, we need both. GEO helps you show up in AI-generated results. AEO helps your answer be the one that gets quoted.
The Big Shift: From Keywords to Concepts
When I first started SEO, I could rank a San Diego page just by repeating “San Diego + service” in the right places. That doesn’t cut it anymore.
Generative AI search isn’t just reading your keywords—it’s understanding:
Who you are (entity)
Where you are (San Diego relevance)
What you specialize in (topical authority)
Whether your content is trustworthy (E-E-A-T)
So instead of asking, “What keywords should I use?” start asking, “What concepts am I covering, and does Google see me as the right entity to talk about them?”
For example, if you’re a med spa in San Diego, AI doesn’t just want “Botox San Diego.” It wants to know:
Are you actually in San Diego?
Do you have supporting content around Botox, fillers, aftercare, safety?
Are you an established business entity?
Do people mention you?
Are you the local authority?
That’s the level we have to optimize for now.
Why Local Signals Still Matter in an AI World
I get asked this a lot: “Jen, if AI is generating the answer, does location still matter?”
Yes. 100% yes.
AI needs context. If someone in La Jolla searches “SEO expert near me,” Google isn’t going to show them a random agency in New York. It’s going to look for entities tied to San Diego, with content that reinforces they actually serve San Diego businesses.
That’s why I sprinkle San Diego references throughout my content, and why I recommend including phrases like:
“As a San Diego business owner…”
“Local SEO in San Diego…”
“Here in San Diego County…”
These become location entities. AI can recognize that you’re tied to this region.
And honestly? As someone who actually lives and works here, I can speak to San Diego business pain points—tourism, seasonal traffic, local competition, neighborhoods like North Park, La Jolla, and Chula Vista. That’s experience. That’s E-E-A-T.
E-E-A-T: Your New Best Friend in AI Search
Experience – Have you actually done this? I have. I’ve ranked San Diego businesses again and again.
Expertise – Do you know what you’re talking about? I do. SEO is literally what I do all day.
Authoritativeness – Does Google see you as a known source? That’s why consistent blogging, mentions, and interlinking matter.
Trustworthiness – Can they trust your info? Clear contact info, updated content, real phone number (mine: (619) 719-1315).
When AI pulls content, it wants to show users something safe, accurate, and local if the query needs it. So every page you create should make it obvious:
who you are
what you do
where you are
how long you’ve been doing it
That’s how you win in GEO and AEO.
How I Structure Content Now for AI and Humans
Here’s the exact content structure I’m using for clients (and myself):
Short, direct answer at the top – This is for AI and impatient readers.
Supportive explanation – This is for people who need context.
Local relevance – Mention San Diego naturally.
Entities + related topics – Don’t just mention SEO; mention Google Business Profile, local citations, SGE, schema, content hub, etc.
Internal links with SEO-friendly anchor text – e.g., “If you want to work with an experienced SEO company in San Diego, I can help.”
Call to action – People forget this. AI doesn’t.
Keyword SEO vs Concept SEO (and Why Both Still Matter)
Let’s make this super clear.
Keyword SEO
Target exact phrases
Optimize title, H1, meta, URL
Still important for service pages (“SEO company San Diego,” “San Diego SEO expert”)
Concept / Entity SEO
Cover the whole topic, not just one keyword
Answer related questions
Build supporting articles
Helps AI see you as a topic authority
In San Diego, this is powerful. If you’re trying to rank for “San Diego chiropractor,” don’t just make one page. Build:
“What to expect at your first chiropractic visit in San Diego”
“Is chiropractic covered by insurance in California?”
“Chiropractor near Mission Valley vs Downtown—where should you go?”
“Best stretches between chiropractic visits”
Now AI sees: oh, this business doesn’t just mention chiropractic—they own the topic.
Where GEO vs AEO Comes In
AEO is for making your content answerable. Think FAQ blocks, “here’s the short version,” numbered steps.
GEO is for making your content usable by generative AI. Think depth, authority, freshness, schema, entities, related topics.
So on a page like this, I’m doing both:
Giving quick summaries (AEO)
Expanding with expertise, local relevance, E-E-A-T (GEO)
That’s the mix you want.
Real San Diego Example from My Work
A local client came to me saying: “Jen, I already have a service page called ‘SEO Services San Diego’ but it’s not showing in AI results.”
When I looked, it was a standard page—maybe 600 words, keyword optimized, but not entity rich. So I added:
Mentions of San Diego neighborhoods
Talked about local competition
Included real business problems (tourism, seasonal slowdowns, local map pack)
Linked to blogs with anchor text like SEO expert in San Diego
Added FAQ schema
After that, their visibility in AI-generated previews improved. That’s not magic—it’s just giving AI more to understand.
Internal Links: Don’t Skip This
If you want your homepage or main service page to rank for “SEO company San Diego,” then your blogs should actually link to it with that anchor text.
For example:
“If you need hands-on help, I run a boutique SEO company San Diego that focuses on local businesses.”
“I’ve been working as an SEO expert in San Diego for years, and I can tell you AI search isn’t going away.”
That’s not over-optimization—that’s strategic. AI and Google both see those as signals for what your core page is about.
Don’t Forget Schema and Structured Data
AEO loves structure. Give it FAQs, HowTo, LocalBusiness schema. This helps AI understand your page without guessing.
I add FAQ schema to most authority pages now because I want those Q&As to be pulled into AI answers. I’ll include sample FAQ schema for you at the bottom.
What to Do Next (My Short Checklist)
Update your main service pages with clear, fact-based summaries
Add San Diego/local context to your content
Build supporting blogs to create topical authority
Add internal links using “SEO company San Diego” and “SEO expert in San Diego”
Add FAQ schema
Keep content fresh—AI likes current data
If that feels like a lot, that’s literally what I do for clients. Call or text me and I’ll map it out for you: (619) 719-1315
SEO Isn’t Dead—It’s Smarter Now
I know people love to say “SEO is dead” every time Google launches something new. It’s not dead. It’s just shifting from keyword matching to meaning matching.
If you’re a San Diego business and you want to show up in AI search, you can’t just write “best [service] in San Diego” and hope for the best. You need:
Entity-backed content
Local relevance
Clear, answer-style sections
E-E-A-T signals
Smart internal linking
That’s the work. And I love this work.
If you want me to help you optimize for AI search, SGE, and still keep your classic Google rankings, reach out. I’m local, I’m hands-on, and I specialize in this.
Call/Text: (619) 719-1315
Work with me: SEO company San Diego
FAQs
1. What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?
GEO is the process of optimizing your content so AI-driven search (like SGE) can read, understand, and feature it inside generated answers.
2. Do I still need keywords if AI is summarizing everything?
Yes. Keywords tell Google and AI what the topic is, but you also need entities, context, and authority.
3. How do I make my San Diego business show up in AI results?
Use local signals, write locally relevant content, add schema, and build authority around your services.
4. What’s the difference between GEO and AEO?
AEO is about providing direct, short answers. GEO is about making your whole site AI-friendly, deep, and trustworthy.
5. Can you help me set this up?
Yes—this is what I do. Call/text me at (619) 719-1315 and I’ll audit your content for AI/SGE readiness.
