SEO 4 AI is the buzzy topic of the moment (with the acronym collection to prove it). But is it any different from normal SEO?

Nope!

Thanks for reading…

In case that’s not enough for you, here’s what a founder in the space has to say about it.

But first!

Why listen to what I’m about to copy-paste below? These are the reasons why Lorelight shut down.

What is Lorelight?
According to its about page:

a generative engine optimization (GEO) platform to help businesses track their brand mentions in AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.

Back to the point of all this, SEO 4 AI is just SEO.

Straight from the Lorelight shut down post (bolding is mine):

After analyzing hundreds of queries across ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, I found that brands with high AI search visibility all had the same characteristics:

• Quality content that genuinely helped people
• Mentions in authoritative publications
• Strong reputation in their space
• Genuine expertise and thought leadership

Sound familiar?

It should. Because it’s the exact same stuff that’s always worked for SEO, PR, and brand building.

There was no secret formula. No hidden hack. No special optimization technique that only applied to AI.

The AI models are trained on the same content that builds your brand everywhere else. They cite the same authoritative sources. They reference the same trusted publications.

There’s no such thing as “GEO strategy” or “AI optimization” separate from brand building. At least not for the vast majority of brands.

Focusing on AI tactics or SEO tactics or social algorithm hacks is a distraction. You’re building on rented land with a lease that can change at a moment’s notice.

Focus on what you can control and own.
Your brand.
Your channels.
Your story.

Everything else is an amplifier. Amps need inputs.

The internet is word of mouth with a steroid problem.

Co-create your brand with your audience.