SEO gets you found on Google. GEO — generative engine optimisation — gets you recommended by AI. For activity venues, you now need both. Here’s the difference, in plain English.

SEO: ranking on Google

Search engine optimisation is about appearing in Google’s results and map-pack when someone searches “[venue] near me”. It’s still where most local bookings are won today — see local SEO for venues.

GEO: being named by AI

Generative engine optimisation is about being the venue ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google’s AI recommend when someone asks where to go. There’s no list of ten links — just a shortlist. See AI search visibility and our pillar on getting recommended by ChatGPT.

Why venues need both

They reach the customer at different moments: Google captures the active searcher; AI captures the person asking for advice. Win one and you’re half-visible. Win both and you become the default choice in your town. The work overlaps (clean data, reviews, schema), so doing them together is efficient.

Not sure where you stand? The free visibility audit checks both.

Get your free visibility audit →