With Prosperity Media’s announcement of its Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) service, the conversation around future-proofing SEO strategies has taken a dramatic turn. The agency’s latest initiative stands as a direct response to the rapidly shifting dynamics in how digital information is searched, discovered, and prioritized across both familiar and emerging platforms. As the influence of large language models (LLMs) accelerates, traditional SEO is being reimagined—not as a relic, but as an evolving discipline that requires new tools, new methodologies, and, perhaps most importantly, a bold willingness to embrace the AI-first future.
The last few years have seen a profound transformation in the way users seek information online. Historically, search engines operated on keyword matching, inbound links, and site authority—principles that defined the “blue link” era of search. But the arrival of LLMs like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot has upended these paradigms.
Rather than delivering a list of links, generative AI engines strive to synthesize and surface direct answers, curated overviews, and context-aware recommendations. Google’s rollout of “AI Overviews” (formerly “Search Generative Experience”) in its core search service is perhaps the most striking evidence yet of this shift. According to Google, these AI-driven experiences are designed to answer complex queries, summarize topics, and proactively connect searchers with key resources—in many cases, preempting the need to click through to traditional web pages.
Users, for their part, are increasingly comfortable seeking information from conversational agents. Data from Similarweb and Statista indicates a sharp rise in AI-driven search traffic, with platforms like ChatGPT and Bing’s Copilot now accounting for a measurable slice of discovery journeys, particularly among younger demographics and digital natives.
The argument is compelling. According to Forrester Research, brands that “own their share of algorithmically generated visibility” stand to gain outsized returns—in some verticals, up to 50% more organic impressions—versus those who continue to focus solely on static SERP rankings. Brands failing to adapt risk being subsumed by AI-generated responses that may summarize or recontextualize their products—sometimes inaccurately, or with missing key differentiators.
Notably, Google and Microsoft have made statements emphasizing transparency and accuracy in their AI-generated outputs, pledging to refine citation practices and content selection over time. Yet, as of this writing, both have acknowledged the challenges of policing hallucinations and attribution at massive scale.
Industry groups are already calling for clearer standards and best-practice frameworks around GEO, including:
For brands, this means:
The path forward is uncertain but filled with opportunity for brands who approach the generative revolution with strategic rigor and experimental agility. In this volatile landscape, the only constant is change—and with GEO, Prosperity Media positions itself as a navigator for the brands daring enough to lead.
Despite the clear strengths of Prosperity Media’s new offering, caution is warranted: the LLM ecosystem is still maturing, and best practices are subject to rapid revision. For brands considering GEO, the message is clear: diversify your search strategy, track results with a skeptical eye, and remain prepared to evolve alongside the engines that now shape the public’s perception of who you are, and what you offer.
Source: bandt.com.au Prosperity Media Launches Generative Engine Optimisation Service To Future-Proof SEO Strategies
The Changing Nature of Search
The last few years have seen a profound transformation in the way users seek information online. Historically, search engines operated on keyword matching, inbound links, and site authority—principles that defined the “blue link” era of search. But the arrival of LLMs like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot has upended these paradigms.Rather than delivering a list of links, generative AI engines strive to synthesize and surface direct answers, curated overviews, and context-aware recommendations. Google’s rollout of “AI Overviews” (formerly “Search Generative Experience”) in its core search service is perhaps the most striking evidence yet of this shift. According to Google, these AI-driven experiences are designed to answer complex queries, summarize topics, and proactively connect searchers with key resources—in many cases, preempting the need to click through to traditional web pages.
Users, for their part, are increasingly comfortable seeking information from conversational agents. Data from Similarweb and Statista indicates a sharp rise in AI-driven search traffic, with platforms like ChatGPT and Bing’s Copilot now accounting for a measurable slice of discovery journeys, particularly among younger demographics and digital natives.
Prosperity Media’s GEO: Meeting the Generative Moment
Recognizing these tectonic shifts, Prosperity Media’s launch of its GEO service is positioned as both a continuation and an evolution of SEO best practices. The service is billed as a comprehensive approach to Generative Engine Optimisation, targeting brand, product, and service visibility not only in traditional search results, but also within the content outputs of LLM-powered engines and AI summary panels.Core Components of GEO
- LLM Visibility Tracking: Prosperity Media has developed proprietary methods and invested in third-party toolsets that allow them to track how brands and keywords appear within the content generated by major LLMs. This includes query testing, prompt engineering, and “hallucination” detection to assess brand presence and reputation within AI-generated outputs.
- Brand Analysis and Opportunity Scoping: The agency leverages these tracking capabilities to perform deep audits of a brand’s footprint across both legacy search and up-and-coming AI channels, identifying areas where structured data, content enrichment, or schema enhancements are needed.
- AI Mode and AI Overview Optimization: With Google rolling out AI Overviews and Microsoft promoting Copilot-driven results, Prosperity Media has created frameworks for optimizing web content to surface more prominently within these AI summary panels.
- ChatGPT Shopping and Feature Optimization: As generative models increasingly integrate with e-commerce, Prosperity Media’s GEO includes targeted strategies to maximize product discovery and brand prominence within AI-supported shopping experiences.
- Tool Investment and Experimentation: The agency’s commitment to “extensive experimentation” is evidenced by its ongoing investment in visibility trackers, prompt libraries, and LLM-specific analysis engines.
How Generative Engine Optimisation Differs from Traditional SEO
While GEO shares DNA with its SEO predecessor, there are significant points of divergence:- Content Structure vs. Content Intent: Classic SEO emphasized keyword density, meta tags, and content silos. GEO, by contrast, requires content that is both semantically rich and contextually adaptable, so that AI models can correctly summarize, cite, and recommend it.
- Citation and Hallucination Risk: LLMs sometimes “hallucinate”—producing incorrect or misleading statements. GEO includes strategies to reduce the risk of brand misrepresentation, ensuring content is structured in ways that are more likely to be correctly referenced.
- Prompt and Persona Optimization: Instead of optimizing for a search query, GEO practitioners must consider the kinds of prompts that end-users are likely to input into generative engines, as well as the “persona” or knowledge cut-off date of each major LLM.
The Business Case for GEO
James Norquay, Prosperity Media’s founder, states, “As people continue to search, brands must continue to be discovered—whether that’s through traditional search or emerging AI-first experiences. That’s why we’re launching our new service, GEO, designed to help future-proof brands as generative AI becomes more embedded in how users find information online.”The argument is compelling. According to Forrester Research, brands that “own their share of algorithmically generated visibility” stand to gain outsized returns—in some verticals, up to 50% more organic impressions—versus those who continue to focus solely on static SERP rankings. Brands failing to adapt risk being subsumed by AI-generated responses that may summarize or recontextualize their products—sometimes inaccurately, or with missing key differentiators.
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Limitations of GEO
Notable Strengths
- First-Mover Advantage: By launching a formal GEO service, Prosperity Media cements itself as a thought leader and trusted partner for companies navigating the ambiguity and complexity of generative search. Early adopters have a window to capture brand mindshare before tactics become commoditized.
- Deep Technical Investment: The agency’s willingness to invest in “LLM visibility tools,” custom reporting, and specialist talent signals a genuine technical capability, not just a rebranding of standard services.
- Client Education and Transparency: Prosperity Media’s GEO launch materials emphasize collaboration and transparency, urging brands to join in the experimentation and learn about the nuances of generative search. This builds trust and empowers clients to make informed strategic decisions.
- Holistic Brand Safety: Practices such as hallucination detection and prompt simulation mitigate some of the potential brand risks posed by generative models, helping ensure that automated AI-generated references stay true to verified product features and brand values.
Potential Risks and Limitations
- Rapidly Changing LLM Ecosystem: One major risk lies in the volatility of AI search platforms. As Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and others continue to iterate on their models and search UX, today’s “best practices” for GEO could become obsolete in months, requiring agile adaptation and continuous investment.
- Opaque Ranking Signals: Unlike traditional search engine algorithms (which, while secretive, offer some transparent ranking signals), LLMs select content for inclusion based on a mix of open and proprietary sources. Reverse-engineering these signals for optimization is far less deterministic—a challenge that even prominent industry players have flagged as a “black box” problem.
- Over-Reliance on AI Output: While Prosperity Media positions GEO as additive to traditional SEO, there is a risk that some brands may prematurely de-prioritize proven SEO tactics, focusing only on speculative AI-driven strategies. Most experts advocate for a hybrid approach, blending the stability of classic SEO with the agility of GEO experimentation.
- Verification Challenges: Since LLMs can generate responses from their training data without always referencing live web content, brands may have limited recourse for ensuring accuracy and attribution—especially in highly regulated industries.
- Potential Hallucinations Remain: Despite mitigation efforts, no current system can fully prevent LLMs from occasionally generating erroneous or brand-harming associations. Agencies, brands, and search engines themselves must remain vigilant.
Industry Reaction and Broader Implications
Prosperity Media’s GEO launch has sparked debate—both excitement and skepticism—among digital marketers, SEO practitioners, and web publishers. Some see it as a natural evolution, bridging the gap between content marketing, technical SEO, digital PR, and brand management in a generative AI context. Others warn of a “wild west” period marked by unreliable metrics, unpredictable platform behavior, and shifting regulatory scrutiny.Notably, Google and Microsoft have made statements emphasizing transparency and accuracy in their AI-generated outputs, pledging to refine citation practices and content selection over time. Yet, as of this writing, both have acknowledged the challenges of policing hallucinations and attribution at massive scale.
Industry groups are already calling for clearer standards and best-practice frameworks around GEO, including:
- Shared taxonomies for LLM inclusion and citation.
- Schema.org adaptations to support AI discovery.
- Cross-platform LLM prompt monitoring services.
- Standardized “brand safety” testing for AI summaries.
Future Outlook: The Next Era of Search Strategy
The next era of search will likely be defined by an ongoing interplay between traditional SEO fundamentals and generative engine optimization. Effective digital strategies are increasingly those that can fluidly adapt content format, structure, and messaging for both algorithmic and AI-driven environments.For brands, this means:
- Reinventing Web Content: Emphasizing clarity, structured data, and authoritative sourcing to maximize inclusion in both classic search and AI answers.
- Investing in AI Experimentation: Actively testing new tools, monitoring LLM behavior, and iterating on content and technical optimizations as platforms evolve.
- Building Internal AI Literacy: Educating teams on the limitations and strengths of generative models, with a focus on managing both risk and opportunity.
Conclusion
Prosperity Media’s launch of its Generative Engine Optimisation service is a substantive, forward-thinking response to the disruptive forces reshaping digital search. While traditional SEO remains indispensable, GEO represents a necessary toolkit for brands intent on remaining discoverable and relevant as AI-first journeys become the norm.The path forward is uncertain but filled with opportunity for brands who approach the generative revolution with strategic rigor and experimental agility. In this volatile landscape, the only constant is change—and with GEO, Prosperity Media positions itself as a navigator for the brands daring enough to lead.
Despite the clear strengths of Prosperity Media’s new offering, caution is warranted: the LLM ecosystem is still maturing, and best practices are subject to rapid revision. For brands considering GEO, the message is clear: diversify your search strategy, track results with a skeptical eye, and remain prepared to evolve alongside the engines that now shape the public’s perception of who you are, and what you offer.
Source: bandt.com.au Prosperity Media Launches Generative Engine Optimisation Service To Future-Proof SEO Strategies