Frequently asked questions, answered like we mean it.
Every answer starts with a direct answer, then gives you the real technical depth. Still unsure? Run the free check or send us a note.
What's the difference between SEO, AEO and GEO?
They're three layers of the same goal — being found. SEO gets your pages to rank, AEO gets your content extracted into answers via structure and schema, and GEO gets your business recommended as a trusted entity by generative models. The overlap is roughly 70% fundamentals; the delta is structure, entity signals and measurement.
How do AI tools like ChatGPT decide which businesses to mention?
It's a blend of training-data associations and live retrieval (RAG). Models favour entities with consistent data and strong third-party corroboration — reviews, directories, Reddit, local press — plus content structured for extraction. E-E-A-T signals (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trust) act as the trust filter that decides who makes the shortlist.
Do I need this if I already rank #1 on Google?
Increasingly, yes. AI Overviews now sit above position #1 and cut its click-through dramatically. A #1 ranking with no AI presence is a shrinking asset — the answer is capturing attention before anyone scrolls to your link.
Can I do this myself?
Partly — and we'll even hand you free fixes in the strategy call. The gap most owners hit is sustained content production, entity and citation building across third-party sources, and the measurement infrastructure to know whether any of it is working.
What is schema markup and why does it matter for AI?
Schema is a JSON-LD structured-data vocabulary from schema.org that explicitly declares what your business is, where it operates, what it offers and what questions your pages answer. Machines don't infer well, so schema removes the guesswork. We implement and validate LocalBusiness, Service, FAQPage and industry-specific types.
Will this hurt my existing Google rankings?
No. The fundamentals are shared — answer-first structure and schema are Google best practice too. We never use tactics that risk penalties; done right, AI optimization strengthens classic SEO rather than competing with it.
What happens if AI platforms change their systems?
They will, constantly. That's exactly why we build on durable fundamentals — structure, authority and entity clarity — rather than platform tricks. Reporting is monthly and strategy is quarterly so we adapt as the platforms move, without starting from scratch.
Can you guarantee I'll appear in ChatGPT or AI Overviews?
No — and you should treat any guarantee as a red flag. Outputs are probabilistic and vary by phrasing. What we guarantee is the process, the measurement, and full transparency in reporting, including when something isn't working.
How do you actually measure AI visibility?
We run structured monthly query panels per platform using customer-phrased prompts, track citations and mentions, and monitor AI Overview presence. We pair that with downstream signals — branded search volume, Google Business Profile direction requests, and call/form attribution. We treat prompt-tracker data as directional, not gospel, and we say so in reports.
How long until results?
Technical and structural fixes go live within weeks. First citation movement typically appears at 60–90 days, and durable presence compounds over 4–6 months. Anything faster being promised is either luck or fiction.
What do you need from me?
About 1–2 hours per month: your expertise, your approvals, and access to your website and Google Business Profile. It's detailed step-by-step on our process page — we handle everything technical.
Do you work in French?
Yes. We run bilingual query testing and optimization, which matters in the National Capital Region where a large share of queries happen in French. Missing French visibility means missing a real slice of your market.
Do you work with businesses outside Ottawa?
Our focus and expertise are Ottawa and the surrounding region, because local entity signals and neighbourhood context are what make AI recommendations work here. That focus is what makes us effective — if you're outside the region, reach out and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
Why is there a 90-day minimum?
Because AI citation building physically takes that long. We'd rather turn down a client than take money for a timeline we can't hit. After the first 90 days you're month-to-month with 30 days' notice.