Standards Updates
GEO Standard v1.0: scope and design decisions
Why the first version assesses ten areas, separates measures, and excludes guarantees.
Version 1.0 of the GEO Standard sets out what GeoAI Optimization assesses when it certifies professionals and agencies. This note records the main design decisions.
Ten areas, four layers
The framework groups ten areas into Foundations, Substance, Signals and Operations. The grouping reflects dependency: content quality matters little if pages cannot be retrieved.
Separate measures, no single score
v1.0 does not define a composite visibility score. Composite scores hide which problem to fix, and their weights would be arbitrary at this stage.
No outcome guarantees
Certification assesses competence and process, not results in specific AI systems. Certified parties may not promise placements in AI answers.
Ethics as a requirement
The ethical principles are assessable requirements, not an appendix. A breach can lead to suspension or revocation.
What is next
v1.1 will add guidance on multilingual query sets. Proposed changes will be published for comment before adoption.
Related reading
- AI VisibilityHow to measure AI visibilityA repeatable method: define the query set, sample systematically, and report measures separately.8 min read
- AI SearchWhat is Generative Engine Optimization?A plain definition of GEO, what it changes about search work, and what it cannot promise.6 min read
- SEO + GEOSEO and GEO: how they relateGEO does not replace SEO. Here is where the two disciplines overlap and where they diverge.5 min read
Terms used here are defined in the glossary.