Key Takeaways
- GEO is changing how Nigerians discover businesses, as AI answers now influence buying decisions.
- Treating AI like a new search engine means optimizing for trust, clarity, and authority.
- Businesses that adapt early to GEO will stand out, while late adopters risk invisibility.
If you run a business in Nigeria, you’ve probably been told a hundred times over the years to “do SEO.” You know, that magic activity that is supposed to help you optimize for Google, fight for page one, sprinkle in keywords, and hope people find you. But there’s a new shift happening right under our noses: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
As more people turn to AI-powered tools for answers in their day-to-day living, GEO has become a game-changer for business in Nigeria and globally. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around, so let’s clear them up.
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What Is Generative Engine Optimization?
In the simplest of terms, GEO is about making sure your business shows up when people ask AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude questions. The reality is that t’s already happening. One of my clients in the e-commerce industry recently noticed that ChatGPT had started showing up in their analytics as a referral source. That means customers didn’t Google them; they asked ChatGPT, and ChatGPT pointed them in the right direction. However, for businesses to make the most of the opportunity and position correctly for GEO visibility, it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
Misconception 1: GEO Is Just SEO With a Fancy Name
Nope. SEO is about ranking on Google. GEO is about being trusted enough by AI engines that they actually mention you in their answers.
Here’s the major difference:
- With SEO, you worry about where you appear in the search results.
- With GEO, the AI might not even show results and instead just generates one answer. If you’re not in it, you’re invisible.
Misconception 2: Nigerians Don’t Use AI Search, So It Doesn’t Matter Yet
I’ve heard this one a lot, and it’s absolutely wrong. Nigerians are early tech adopters, can you remember how fast we jumped on WhatsApp, crypto, or even Bolt? And even if all your local customers aren’t asking ChatGPT for recommendations yet, global customers are. If someone in London asks ChatGPT, “Which Nigerian fashion brands ship abroad?” and your brand isn’t optimized for GEO, you’re missing free international exposure.
Misconception 3: GEO Is Only for Tech Bros
Not true at all. Whether you’re a fintech startup, a real estate agency, or a local restaurant in Lekki, GEO matters. It’s not about being in tech, but being visible where people are asking questions.
Think of it this way:
- A Lagos-based law firm could show up when someone asks, “Who are reliable business lawyers in Nigeria?”
- A restaurant in Abuja could be recommended when someone asks, “Where can I find the best suya in Abuja?”
Misconception 4: It’s All About Keywords (Again)
Traditional SEO was often about stuffing keywords like “best tailor in Lagos” all over your website. GEO doesn’t work like that, and instead of chasing keywords, GEO rewards you for clarity and authority.
AI tools prefer content that’s:
- Clear and easy to understand
- Structured (FAQs, lists, straightforward answers)
- Fact-checked and consistent (no outdated or conflicting info)
Misconception 5: GEO Won’t Help Local Businesses
This one might be the most dangerous. If someone asks ChatGPT, “Where can I buy affordable laptops in Abuja?” and your business isn’t optimized for GEO, guess what? You’ll never even be in the conversation. In fact, the search engines like Google are already delivering GEO results by default.
Misconception 6: GEO Is Too Complicated
GEO might sound technical, but it’s really about doing the basics right:
- Keep your content fresh and factual.
- Build authority around your niche (don’t try to be everything at once).
- Make sure your business info online is accurate and consistent.
- Encourage mentions and links from reputable sources.
Conclusion
GEO isn’t some distant future trend. It’s already here, and Nigerian businesses are starting to see it in action. The companies that take it seriously now will be the ones AI engines recommend tomorrow. And in a world where customers’ online questions are first being answered by AI-powered tools, GEO makes a big difference between being invisible and being discovered.