Frequently asked questions

GEO is the optimization of a website so that AI systems — ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot — can find it, understand it, and cite it in their answers. Unlike traditional SEO that targets Google rankings, GEO targets citation and recommendation by AI.

SEO optimizes your site to appear in Google search results (the 10 blue links). GEO optimizes your content to be cited by AI when a user asks a question. Both are complementary: good local SEO remains essential, but without GEO, you're invisible to the 40% of users who go through AI.

More and more people ask AI directly for recommendations: "best Italian restaurant in Ljubljana", "reliable plumber near me". If your business isn't structured to be understood by these AI systems, you simply won't appear in their answers — and your competitors will.

AI systems rely on your site's structured data (JSON-LD), the quality and clarity of your content, your Google Business Profile presence, customer reviews, and the consistency of your information (name, address, phone) across all platforms. Factual, well-structured, regularly updated content is more likely to be cited.

Absolutely. Real estate is one of the sectors most impacted by AI. When a buyer asks ChatGPT "recommended real estate agent in Austin" or "4-bedroom house with garden in Brooklyn", the AI cites 3-4 results. Agents with structured data (JSON-LD RealEstateAgent, client reviews, geographic area) are cited first. Combined with professional visuals, it's a major competitive advantage.

Absolutely. Google Business Profile remains the foundation of your local visibility. It's the primary source for Google Maps, and AI systems also use it to verify your data (hours, address, reviews). A complete, up-to-date profile is the bare minimum before any GEO optimization.

Yes, directly. AI systems read Google reviews and other platforms to assess business quality. A restaurant with 200 reviews and a 4.5 rating will be more easily recommended by ChatGPT than a competitor with 10 reviews and 3.8. The quantity, quality, and freshness of reviews all matter.

NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone. If this information differs between your website, Google Business, Facebook, TripAdvisor, and directories, AI systems lose confidence in your data. Result: they recommend a competitor whose info is consistent everywhere.

Yes. Google has integrated AI into Maps and Search with Google AI Mode. When someone asks "where to eat pizza in Ljubljana", Google can now give a conversational answer with 3-4 recommendations instead of 10 links. Being in those recommendations requires structured local content and reliable data.

Not necessarily. Sometimes adding JSON-LD structured data, an llms.txt file, and restructuring existing content is enough. But if your site is slow, not responsive, or built without any semantic structure, a rebuild is often more effective than a patchwork of fixes.

JSON-LD is a structured data format embedded in your site's code. It lets search engines and AI instantly understand what your business is: name, address, hours, services, reviews. Without JSON-LD, AI has to guess — and it prefers sites where the information is clear.

The llms.txt file is the equivalent of robots.txt for AI. Placed at the root of your site, it tells AI systems how to understand your site, which pages are important, and what your area of expertise is. It's an emerging standard that forward-thinking businesses are adopting now.

Yes. AI crawlers (GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot) have limited time budgets. A slow site will be less well indexed. Additionally, Google uses Core Web Vitals as a quality signal. A fast site (under 2 seconds load time) is better crawled by AI and better ranked by Google.

The six main ones are Google AI Mode (built into Google Search), ChatGPT (most popular), Perplexity (pure AI search), Microsoft Copilot (built into Bing and Windows), Claude, and Gemini. For a local business, Google AI Mode and ChatGPT are the most important as they're most used for local recommendations.

No, not replace, but complement. Google remains dominant for local searches, but AI is integrating directly into Google (AI Mode) and gaining share via ChatGPT and Perplexity. The winning strategy is to be visible on both: Google rankings AND AI answers.

Through your robots.txt file. By default, some sites unknowingly block AI crawlers (GPTBot, ClaudeBot, etc.). You need to explicitly allow them. We also configure meta tags and HTTP headers to ensure AI can access your content and index it properly.

We test your business by asking typical questions to different AI systems: "best [your trade] in [your city]", "where to [service] near [location]". We analyze whether you appear, in what position, and with what information. Our visibility audit covers the 6 main AI systems and produces a GEO score.

We offer a free initial diagnostic that already gives you a clear picture of your situation. For a full audit with detailed report, GEO score, and prioritized action plan, contact us for a customized quote tailored to your business and geographic area.

First results on Google can be visible within 2 to 4 weeks after optimization. For AI visibility, it's often faster because AI re-crawls sites regularly. Our e-Slovénie case achieved 327 Copilot citations in 3 months. Every business is different, but we aim for measurable results within the first month.

We primarily work with local businesses: restaurants, hotels, artisans (plumbers, electricians, carpenters), shopkeepers, hair salons, garages, medical practices, and any business that needs to be found locally. If your customers search for you by geographic proximity, we can help.

GEO and local SEO are not one-time actions. AI algorithms evolve, new competitors appear, and your content needs to stay fresh. We offer monthly support to maintain and improve your visibility, but the initial audit and base optimizations already deliver lasting results.

No. We're based in Slovenia but work with clients across Europe, primarily French-speaking. GEO and local SEO work the same way regardless of country. Our multilingual expertise (French, English, Slovenian) is an asset for businesses in tourist or border areas.

Yes. We offer a combined Byfloo + Sublimly package designed specifically for real estate agents and agencies: GEO audit of your profile and listings, personal agent website optimized for AI, RealEstateAgent + RealEstateListing structured data on every property, and professional photo and video creation for your listings with Sublimly. One provider for your visibility AND your visuals.