Only one in five decision-makers is familiar with GEO: Kathlen Bremer explains why AI visibility matters now

* A recent YouGov survey shows that only 20 percent of German business decision-makers know what GEO stands for.
* 58 percent expect to lose customers if their company isn't visible in the responses of generative AI systems.
* Ma.Le Solutions GmbH supports companies with SEO, GEO, AI consulting, and digital positioning.

AI visibility is becoming a corporate priority

How will customers find a company in the future if they no longer just search on Google but instead ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, or other AI systems directly?

A recent YouGov survey shows that there is still a significant gap between the growing importance of AI visibility and awareness of the necessary measures. Only 20 percent of the business decision-makers surveyed say they know what Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) means. 41 percent have never heard the term, and another 36 percent are familiar with it only by hearsay.

At the same time, many decision-makers already see a concrete business risk: 58 percent expect to lose customers if their companies are not visible in the responses of generative AI systems. The results thus reveal a clear discrepancy between awareness of the problem and practical preparedness.

"The figures make it clear that GEO is no longer a niche topic," says Kathlen Bremer, founder of Ma.Le Solutions GmbH and a GEO expert. "Many companies sense that search is changing. At the same time, they still lack guidance on how to adapt their content, their brand, and their expertise for this new form of digital information delivery."

How the Study Was Conducted

The results are based on an online survey of the YouGov panel. A total of 509 corporate decision-makers in Germany were surveyed from July 16 to 24, 2026. According to the methodology, the results were weighted by factors including company size, industry, region, age, and gender.

The study clearly demonstrates how familiar decision-makers are with the term, how relevant AI visibility is perceived to be, and the extent to which investment needs are recognized.

The survey thus provides important insight into the current market situation: Awareness of the economic consequences of a lack of AI visibility is growing, while concrete knowledge about GEO is not yet widespread.

Similarly, there are hardly any opportunities to seek non-binding advice.

What GEO Means for Businesses

Generative Engine Optimization encompasses strategies and measures designed to structure content in such a way that generative AI systems can more easily recognize it, understand its content, and consider it a relevant source of information.

While traditional search engine optimization focuses primarily on rankings and organic clicks, GEO raises an additional question: Is a company mentioned in an AI-generated response, how is it described, and in what context is it recommended?

It's not just a company's own website that plays a role here. AI systems also draw on press releases, professional articles, industry directories, review platforms, social media profiles, and other external sources.

Companies should therefore ensure that their information:

* is clearly and comprehensibly worded,
* appears consistently across various platforms,
* directly answers relevant customer questions,
* provides transparent evidence of their expertise,
* is regularly updated and technically well-presented.

SEO Remains the Foundation

GEO does not replace traditional search engine optimization. Search engines remain a central gateway to information. At the same time, AI assistants are gaining importance as a complementary search and navigation channel.

According to recent YouGov data, 79 percent of German online searchers use traditional search engines. AI assistants are now the second-most-common source of information for online searches.

For businesses, therefore, it is not a matter of choosing between SEO and GEO, but rather of combining both disciplines.

SEO lays the groundwork for technical discoverability, relevant rankings, organic website traffic, and a good user experience. GEO complements this foundation with unique content, clear definitions of terms, trustworthy sources, and a consistent brand presentation.

"A good ranking on Google no longer automatically guarantees that a company will appear in an AI response," explains Kathlen Bremer. "Companies must therefore ensure that their content is not only found but also correctly understood and considered in relevant contexts."

The Customer Journey Is Changing

This development affects the entire customer journey. Customers can already use AI systems to compare providers, get explanations of services, or receive recommendations. As a result, the first point of contact with a brand may no longer take place on the brand's own website, but rather in an AI-generated response.

This creates new opportunities, but also risks:

* Companies with clear positioning can appear as suitable solutions in relevant responses.
* Inconsistent or outdated information can lead to incorrect categorization.
* A lack of external sources can weaken the perception of expertise and credibility.
* Companies that do not appear in AI responses may lose visibility, even if their own website ranks well on Google.

According to the YouGov survey, 44 percent of the decision-makers surveyed plan to invest in their own AI visibility over the next twelve months. By contrast, 35 percent explicitly rule out such investments.

"These figures show that the market is at a critical juncture," says Bremer. "Some companies are already beginning to prepare. Others are still observing how things develop. Those who wait until the new search behavior has fully established itself may not get started until competitors have already secured key topics and sources."

Strategic Preparation Rather Than Isolated Measures

A GEO strategy does not begin with revising individual texts. First, a company must clarify what it wants to stand for digitally, which customers it aims to reach, and which topics should be associated with the brand.

This raises key questions:

* How is the company currently described in various AI systems?
* Is information regarding services, target audiences, locations, and key personnel consistent?
* What questions do potential customers ask before reaching out?
* Are there high-quality external sources that validate the company's expertise?
* Are the website, online PR, social media, and industry profiles aligned with one another?

Based on these insights, companies can develop website optimizations, FAQ and how-to content, expert articles, online PR, expert positioning, and ongoing monitoring of AI responses.

For a sustainable SEO and GEO strategy, companies should also regularly check whether:

* the most important service pages can be indexed by search engines and AI systems,
* key services and technical terms are clearly described,
* the website is technically well-structured,
* relevant external mentions exist,
* AI systems portray the company correctly, completely, and in the desired context.

Consulting with Potential Funding

Ma.Le Solutions GmbH supports companies with strategic marketing, digital positioning, SEO, GEO, online PR, and AI consulting. The goal is to help companies clearly position their services and expertise and remain visible in an increasingly AI-driven search landscape.

Under certain conditions, such strategic management consulting may be subsidized under the BAFA funding program. According to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, the current guideline on funding for management consulting services for SMEs is valid through December 31, 2026. Depending on the location, eligible consulting costs may be subsidized at a rate of 50 or 80 percent as a non-repayable grant. The assessment basis is up to 7,000 euros per company; the application must be submitted before the consulting begins.

Whether specific SEO, GEO, or AI consulting is eligible for funding depends on the content of the consulting and the company's individual circumstances.

"This funding can make it much easier for companies to get started," explains Kathlen Bremer. "It's important not just to optimize individual texts for AI, but to develop a clear strategy. Companies should know what position they want to occupy in the market and how this positioning will be visible and understandable across all digital channels."

About Ma.Le Solutions GmbH

Ma.Le Solutions GmbH supports small and medium-sized businesses with strategic marketing, digital positioning, online PR, SEO, GEO, social media, and AI consulting.

Under the leadership of Kathlen Bremer, the company combines strategic communication with the latest developments in digital search. The focus is not merely on individual rankings or short-term visibility, but on a consistent digital brand image.

Ma.Le Solutions GmbH develops content and communication strategies that are understandable to customers, discoverable by search engines, and clearly classifiable by generative AI systems.

PR-Leaders GmbH & Co.KG
Grosser Burstah 45
20457 Hamburg
Germany

http://www.pr-leaders.de

Herr Fabian Bellmann
015150237664

pr@pr-leaders.de

About PR-Leaders

PR-Leaders GmbH & Co. KG is a communications and PR agency based in Hamburg. The company helps brands, executives, and organizations clearly articulate their messages and gain visibility in relevant media. Its service portfolio includes media relations, CEO positioning, strategic communications, reputation management, and ongoing communications consulting. PR-Leaders works in close coordination with editorial teams and places particular emphasis on precise, understandable, and robust messages.

This release was published on openPR.