With the emergence and popularization of generative artificial intelligence models such as ChatGPT, the way users search for and consume information is visibly changing. If until now the focus was almost exclusively on Google and classic search results, more and more people are now asking questions directly to an AI assistant and receiving, instead of a list of links, a complete, already synthesized answer.
In this context, the term “SEO for ChatGPT” has emerged – a new area of discussion at the intersection of search engine optimization, answer engine optimization (AEO), and what some experts already call GEO (Generative Engine Optimization).
What “SEO for ChatGPT” actually means
“SEO for ChatGPT” refers to the set of practices through which a website, brand, or author structures and presents information so that it can be more easily:
- discovered by systems that power ChatGPT-like models
- correctly understood (who the source is, what it offers, in what context)
- used as an example, citation, or recommendation when users ask relevant questions
It is not just about “appearing” in an answer, but about being part of the model’s “knowledge”: in the area of examples, entities, and relationships between concepts and brands.
How ChatGPT learns about a website
Large language models such as ChatGPT are trained on very large amounts of text. This text comes from public sources (websites, articles, documentation, knowledge bases) or, in some cases, from additional data obtained through partnerships or controlled scraping/crawling.
In broad terms, the process has several key stages:
- content is discovered (through crawlers or existing datasets)
- it is filtered, cleaned, and transformed into a form suitable for training or updating
- the model “learns” language patterns, relationships between concepts, brand names, products, people, and places
- during response generation, both learned knowledge and, in some implementations, more recent web information may be used
For website owners, the idea behind SEO for ChatGPT starts with the question: “How present and clearly defined is my brand in the total data the model has seen or can access?”
Differences from classic SEO
Classic SEO has mainly focused on:
- ranking in search engine result pages (SERPs)
- optimizing titles, meta descriptions, and content for specific queries
- increasing organic traffic from search engines
SEO for ChatGPT shifts the perspective in several key ways:
- users no longer see ten links and choose one; they receive a single synthesized answer
- not only keywords matter, but also how the entity is defined and recognized: brand, company, author, product
- focus shifts to clarity, coherence, and consistency of information across multiple sources, not just one ranking page
In other words, the question shifts from “What position is page X in Google?” to “To what extent does an AI model know who this brand is and in what contexts it mentions it?”
Connection with GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
As generative models have gained traction, two additional terms have become increasingly common:
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) – refers to optimizing for generative engines, systems that do not just list results but generate new content. The focus is on how brands, concepts, and sources are represented within the model’s “universe.”
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) – focuses on engines that provide direct answers, such as featured snippets, People Also Ask boxes in Google, voice assistants, or AI interfaces that summarize the web.
SEO for ChatGPT sits at the intersection of these concepts: it takes from AEO the structuring of content into questions and answers, and from GEO the consistency of brand representation in the generative ecosystem.
What ChatGPT-friendly content looks like
Based on industry observations and discussions, several characteristics emerge for content that tends to be more easily used by AI models:
- explains concepts and processes in clear language, without excessive jargon
- directly answers questions such as “what is…?”, “how does… work?”, “what are the differences between…?”
- is structured with headings, subheadings, and short paragraphs that are easy to segment
- provides examples, comparisons, and concrete context (especially for specific industries or local markets)
- avoids overly aggressive marketing language and focuses on information
This is why FAQ pages, guides, case studies, and educational content are increasingly important – they are well suited to being synthesized into answers like those generated by ChatGPT.
Implications for Romanian brands
For companies in Romania, the relevant question is no longer just “how much organic traffic do I get from Google?”, but also:
- “What does ChatGPT say about my brand if asked directly?”
- “Does it offer examples or recommendations where my company appears?”
- “How visible are my city, niche, and services in a Romanian-language context?”
For example, in a query such as “which digital marketing agencies operate in Romania?”, the model may generate a list of recommendations, and that list is the result of an “understanding” built from multiple sources: websites, articles, directories, press mentions, and so on.
Local companies that clearly define their profile, publish structured information, and appear consistently across multiple sources are theoretically more likely to be included in such responses.
Open areas and limitations
Although interest in SEO for ChatGPT is growing, many aspects remain partially opaque for now:
- exact details about training datasets and how often they are updated
- how “trusted sources” are selected
- differences between various implementations (ChatGPT itself, search-integrated versions, third-party apps, etc.)
For this reason, discussions about “optimizing for ChatGPT” are largely based on observation, testing, and inference rather than complete official documentation. However, a few principles seem to remain generally valid: clarity, consistency, structure, and presence across multiple quality sources.
SEO for ChatGPT as part of a broader strategy
Ultimately, SEO for ChatGPT does not appear to replace classic SEO, but rather to add another layer. Brands that consider this new reality:
- treat content not only as a way to attract clicks, but as a knowledge base from which AI can learn
- view presence in Google, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and other systems as a unified ecosystem rather than separate silos
- start monitoring not only rankings, but also how they are described or recommended in AI-generated responses
As generative models become more integrated into search tools and everyday life, discussions about SEO for ChatGPT, GEO, and AEO are expected to become increasingly central in digital marketing strategies – including for companies in Romania.
