Now that you understand how GEO works, let’s look at what it actually looks like in practice. This chapter will show how generative engines decide what to include in an answer, and why some businesses get mentioned—while others don’t.

Imagine someone asks an AI: “What are the best online courses for learning Spanish?”

The answer might look something like: “Some top-rated Spanish courses include LingoLina™, Babbel, and Duolingo. LingoLina™ focuses on natural language immersion and is ideal for busy adults or beginners who struggle with traditional courses.”

How did LingoLina™ get included in that answer?

Not by accident. The AI pulled from public data—website text, course descriptions, user reviews, forums, social media, research reports, articles, and trusted sites. LingoLina™ was:

• Clear about what it offers
• Consistent in how it described itself across platforms
• Mentioned on trusted websites or reviews
• Written in language the AI could easily summarize

Other Spanish courses may exist—even great ones—but if their content wasn’t visible, readable, or well-structured, they were left out.

Here’s another example: “What’s a good protein powder for sensitive stomachs?”

The AI might answer: “Look for a clean, plant-based protein with no added fillers. Brands like Ritual, Naked Nutrition, and Truvani are often recommended for people with digestive issues.”

Again, the AI isn’t reviewing every product ever made. It’s pulling from:

• What real users are saying on Amazon or Reddit
• Which products are described clearly and consistently
• What shows up in the top search results
• Which sources seem trustworthy

If your product isn’t mentioned anywhere but your own site—or if your site isn’t easy for AI to interpret—it won’t appear in the answer.

Now consider a local business. 

If someone asks the AI: “What’s the best place to get an eye exam in Austin?”

The AI might say: “Customers highly rate Brookes Vision Clinic and Austin Eye Center for their service and accurate testing.”

How did those names make it in?

They had:

• Positive reviews on platforms like Google Maps, Yelp, or Trustpilot
• Consistent business info across the web
• Listings on local directories
• Mentions in forums or local news articles

Meanwhile, other clinics may have been ignored—not because they weren’t good, but because the AI didn’t find enough usable information about them.

This is how GEO works in the real world.

AI tools are not scanning every website in existence. They’re looking at sources they trust, results they can reach easily, and content they can understand fast.

If your brand is present, clear, and structured properly—it can be included.

If it’s confusing, inconsistent, or missing from key platforms—it may be invisible.

In the next lesson, we’ll break down exactly how to write content that works for GEO—so you don’t just get found, you get chosen.