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November 5, 2025 17 mins

In this must-listen follow-up episode, Crystal Waddell is joined again by Marketing Director Garrett Sussman to unpack the fast-evolving world of SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and the iPull Rank conception of "Relevance Engineering." 

From the power of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to how AI is rewriting what it means to be "searchable," this episode dives deep into the shifts that matter most for small businesses and marketers. 

Discover how to test AI’s understanding of your brand, stay competitive in fractured discovery environments, and leverage “happy accidents” for product innovation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • GEO vs SEO: Why Generative Engine Optimization may not replace SEO—but instead become a specialized subset.
  • Relevance Engineering: A new framework to ensure brand visibility across all platforms, from TikTok to Google.
  • The Rise of RAG: How Retrieval-Augmented Generation changes how AI answers questions and includes your content.
  • AI's Hallucinations: Why small businesses must audit AI outputs and the potential hidden product ideas they reveal.
  • Testing for Visibility: How to explore how AI models “see” your brand—despite increasing personalization.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

"GEO is kind of a subset of SEO... but it’s also a different discipline because LLMs don't behave like traditional search engines." — Garrett Sussman

"Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Know your ideal customer. Make content for them." — Garrett Sussman


✅ Listener Action Items:

  • Audit AI Search Results: Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude what they know about your business.
  • Review Your Visibility: Explore how your content performs across platforms, not just on Google.
  • Track Referrals from AI: Start noting AI tools in your referral sources or “How did you hear about us?” forms.
  • Experiment with Product Ideas: Pay attention to fictional features AI suggests—they might be your next big seller!
  • Check Out the AI Search Manual: Linked by Garrett for deeper insights into the future of search.

Connect With Garrett Sussman:

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Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

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