What's included in local SEO, GEO and AEO on every build?
Local SEO
Google Business Profile setup or optimization, location-specific schema, citation building across Yelp, BBB, Apple Maps and Bing Places, and a post-service review request flow.
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Comprehensive schema.org markup, an llms.txt manifest, semantic HTML, atomic Q&A blocks, and named-entity declarations for the business and its founder, so AI search engines can read and cite it.
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
Atomic FAQ structure, FAQPage schema, question-format headings, and the first-sentence-answer rule, so a question gets a clean answer a model can lift whole.
Core Web Vitals
Hand-coded HTML, CSS and JavaScript loads fast on mobile by default. Most WordPress and Wix sites struggle to pass Core Web Vitals; custom-built sites pass easily.
How does Google Business Profile setup work?
Claim, verify, and fully optimize: primary and secondary categories, services listed with prices, hours, real photos and posts, the FAQ section and attributes filled out, plus a one-tap review request link. GBP changes typically show up in search within 2 to 4 weeks, and movement into the local 3-pack is more variable, usually 60 to 120 days depending on competition and existing reviews. The client stays the verified owner; a monthly care plan monitors the profile rather than posting to it.
What is llms.txt and why does every site get one?
llms.txt is a plain-text manifest at the root of the site, the AI-search equivalent of robots.txt, that gives AI crawlers a structured summary of services, location, pricing, the founder, and how to cite the business. It is adopted by ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude and required for serious GEO. Every WSG build also explicitly allows the AI crawlers that actually use it: GPTBot, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot, anthropic-ai, Google-Extended, Applebot-Extended and cohere-ai, since some template sites accidentally block them.
How is AI citation measured?
Two ways. Real customer queries are run against ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude and Google AI Overviews on a regular cadence, and the citations are screenshotted. Referral traffic from AI tools and Search Console impressions and clicks on queries where AI Overviews appear are also tracked. Both are imperfect on their own; together they show what is actually working. First citations typically appear 4 to 8 weeks after a full GEO build, and the rate is usually multiples higher by 90 days.
What does this cost on an existing site?
Nothing extra on a new build, it is included. For an existing site someone else built: local SEO typically runs $1,500 to $5,000, GEO typically $1,000 to $5,000, and AEO typically $1,200 to $3,000, each scoped to how much schema and content restructuring is needed. Google Business Profile setup alone, without a new site, is $500. See full pricing.
FAQs
Does GEO and AEO cost extra on a new website?
No. For new website builds, local SEO, GEO and AEO are all included, no upcharge. They are only priced as a separate engagement when added to an existing site someone else built.
What schema does every site get?
The entity types that match the business: ProfessionalService or LocalBusiness, Service, Offer, FAQPage, Review, AggregateRating, Person for the founder, and DefinedTermSet where relevant. AI engines parse this directly to understand and cite the business.
Can you guarantee my business gets cited by ChatGPT?
No. AI search citations are not deterministic the way Google rankings are. What is guaranteed is the technical foundation, every schema type, an llms.txt manifest, atomic content structure, and the crawler allowances AI engines actually use, plus citations measured on a regular cadence.
How long until my site shows up in AI answers?
First citations typically appear within 4 to 8 weeks after a full GEO build, and the citation rate is usually multiples higher by 90 days as the site builds up citation patterns. Local pack movement from Google Business Profile work usually takes 60 to 120 days.
Do you set up Google Business Profile too?
Yes, included with every build: claim and verification, category strategy, services with prices, photos and posts, FAQ and attributes, and a review request flow. GBP changes typically show up in search within 2 to 4 weeks.