In 2025, people are no longer just searching — they’re asking. Instead of typing keywords and scrolling through a list of links, users now expect fully generated answers. Tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, Bing AI, and Perplexity are transforming how information is delivered. And for Dubai businesses, this shift means that traditional SEO is no longer enough.
If your content isn’t optimized to appear in these AI-generated answers, you risk falling behind — even if you rank first on Google’s search page. This new standard is what we call Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and it’s quickly becoming one of the most important strategies for online visibility.
Generative Engine Optimization focuses on helping your content show up in AI-generated responses. Whether someone is using voice search on their phone or asking ChatGPT for recommendations, the engine behind the scenes pulls from online content — and chooses the clearest, most relevant, and most structured answer.
Unlike traditional SEO, where the goal is to win a ranking, GEO is about earning a citation inside the answer itself. This shift favors brands that create content with clear language, real value, and a format that’s easy for machines to parse and repurpose.
For businesses in Dubai — especially those in competitive service sectors like real estate, healthcare, finance, and marketing — this is a huge opportunity. GEO gives smaller brands a chance to show up next to global competitors, as long as the content is well-written, helpful, and locally relevant.
To appear in AI-generated results, your content needs more than just keywords. It must be:
- Structured with clear headings and subheadings
- Written in natural, easy-to-understand language
- Focused on answering real, intent-driven questions
- Updated regularly to reflect the latest trends and practices
- Optimized for location, brand relevance, and subject clarity
For example, a page titled “Our SEO Services” won’t get picked up nearly as often as a page that answers, “What are the best SEO strategies for Dubai businesses in 2025?”
Generative engines prioritize content that sounds like an expert explaining something — not a business pitching itself.
If your business wants to rank in AI-generated search results, here’s how to start:
- Answer Real Questions
Structure each blog or service page around common user questions. Use subheadings that reflect natural search behavior, like “How much does digital marketing cost in Dubai?” or “Is SEO or PPC better for lead generation?”
- Use Clear, Contextual Language
Avoid buzzwords or vague phrases. Instead, use direct, informative sentences that help the reader — and AI — understand exactly what you’re offering.
- Include Local References
Mention your location, service area, and relevant context. Instead of just “We offer SEO,” say “We provide SEO services for small and mid-sized businesses across Dubai, including areas like Business Bay, JLT, and Downtown.”
- Add Summaries and FAQs
At the end of every key page or blog, include a short summary and a few frequently asked questions. These blocks make your content easier to quote and use in AI-generated answers.
- Keep Content Focused
Don’t cram five services into one page. GEO favors specialized, high-value content. Break topics into individual pages so each one can answer a specific question or solve a single problem.
In the past, ranking #1 on Google was the ultimate goal. But today, the way people search has evolved — and the content that gets seen first is often the content that answers best.
Whether someone is using voice search in Arabic, typing into Perplexity, or asking ChatGPT to recommend a digital agency in Dubai, the platforms behind those tools are pulling from high-quality, well-structured content. If your brand isn’t showing up in those answers, you’re missing out on an entirely new layer of visibility.
GEO doesn’t replace SEO — it enhances it. It ensures your content not only ranks, but also gets featured, quoted, and trusted by the tools your audience is already using.
At FMC Digital, we create content that doesn’t just look good on your website — it performs across all layers of search. We build strategies that prepare your brand for the future of SEO, AEO, and GEO.
