Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Businesses manipulate ChatGPT results through GEO
Some businesses are paying to make sure they show up first when you ask AI chatbots like ChatGPT for recommendations.
This is similar to how companies try to appear at the top of Google search results, but with AI, they use special tricks called GEO (Generative Engine Optimization).
These tricks include putting certain phrases on their websites or getting mentioned in important places.
While AI tries to give good answers, it's easier to influence them on topics they know less about.
So, when you get a recommendation from an AI, it's good to double-check with other sources to make sure it's the best choice.
Businesses are using GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) to influence AI chatbot recommendations.
AI chatbots like ChatGPT can be manipulated to favor certain businesses, especially in less-known topics.
Referral traffic from AI chatbots has significantly increased, now accounting for 44% of some businesses' traffic.
AI chatbots rely on various signals, including brand authority statements and media mentions, to determine rankings.
Users should verify AI recommendations with other sources, as AI answers are not as thoroughly checked as human advice.
- Who
- Businesses, particularly small and midsize ones, are manipulating AI chatbot results
- What
- Businesses are using GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) to influence AI chatbot recommendations
- When
- The practice has been growing, with significant increases in AI referrals starting last summer
- Where
- This manipulation occurs on AI platforms like ChatGPT and affects search results and recommendations
- Why
- Businesses aim to increase their visibility and referral traffic from AI chatbots, which can lead to more transactions and engagement
- GEO
- Generative Engine Optimization
- AEO
- Answer Engine Optimization
- AI Referrals
- 230 million monthly website visits via chatbots (September 2023)
- AI vs. Google
- 44% of referral traffic comes from AI for some businesses
- Brand Authority Statements
- Statements planted on websites to influence AI rankings