Growth Strategy Review | Vol. 2025
SEO, GEO, or ASO?
What Should We Call the AI-Era Traffic Entry Point? (With 2025 Deep Research)
By Mr. Guo · Reading Time: 12 Min · Update: 2025.11
A Quick Note
Wittgenstein said: “The limits of language are the limits of the world.” When 82% of users believe AI search is more useful than traditional search, the industry falls into “naming panic.”
The vibe on LinkedIn: talking SEO feels “last century,” talking GEO sounds strategically savvy, talking AISO is mostly practical hiring jargon. This article, based on Search Engine Land’s latest research, peels back the survival skills behind the acronyms.
01
Industry Baseline: Lip Service vs. Reality
Fractl × Search Engine Land’s joint study shows: 82% of consumers find AI search more helpful — behavioral habits are now irreversible; practitioners are “packaging” with lots of terminology to mask real pressure.
Recognition
84%
Know GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Actual Usage
42%
Use GEO to describe their work
14%
Still insist on using the term SEO
Seasoned practitioners know: effective SEO is still the foundation of AI visibility. But in meeting contexts, GEO/AEO/AISO sounds more “strategic.”
02
Jargon Dictionary: What Are People Actually Searching?
Google Trends shows marketers care more about problem-solving solutions than abstract theory.
Top 1: ASO (Answer Search Optimization)
Growth: +152%
Answer-centric optimization logic. Despite name collision with App Store Optimization, growth remains explosive.
Top 2: GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Growth: +121%
Emphasizes Discovery: brand presence in non-traditional search scenarios like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Top 3: AISO (AI Search Optimization)
Growth: +90%
The most intuitive compound: AI + Search + Optimization — perfect for job descriptions and role definitions.
The most beloved term on social media is still SEO (90.4% positive sentiment). Execution depends on content structure, Technical SEO, and entity authority.
03
The Labor Market’s Vote: AISO Wins
LinkedIn is for “storytelling,” Indeed is for “paying.” Hiring managers don’t care about academic definitions — they care if you can solve AI search problems.
“AISO-related positions already number 11,001 — more than SEO, GEO, and LLMO combined.”
- AISO is market currency:
Classic SEO skills repackaged.
- GEO isn’t a job title:
Better suited for thought leadership and conference keynotes.
- SEO is still the foundation:
Many job listings require AI toolchain knowledge.
“AISO is just SEO’s rebrand.” The key is brewing good wine with high proof.
My Synergy Framework: Don’t Choose — Take All
You need a framework connecting Strategy, Execution, and Hiring:
LAYER 1: The Core SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Use for: Team alignment, budget requests, technical standards. Handles Technical Audits, Schema markup, content architecture — the foundation.
LAYER 2: The Strategy GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Use for: Strategic planning, board presentations, explaining paradigm shifts. Represents the leap from “ten blue links” to “generative answers.”
LAYER 3: The Job AISO (AI Search Optimization)
Use for: Resumes, job descriptions, KPI definitions. Answers how to get cited by Perplexity, how to get Gemini to recommend your product.
04
Action Guide: What’s Next?
Done with jargon — here are actionable next steps:
For Indie Hackers / Solo Developers
-
Don’t abandon content just because SEO traffic is declining; AI heavily depends on quality content as source material.
-
Rewrite your Docs / Landing Pages to be more structured; Schema markup is AI’s shortcut to understanding you.
-
SaaS builders can explore ASO/AISO micro-tool opportunities (like AI mention rate monitoring).
For Operators & Job Seekers
-
Update your resume: Upgrade “SEO Specialist” to “AISO / SEO Lead.”
-
In interviews, use GEO to show macro vision, use AISO cases to prove execution skills.
-
Focus on Entity Strength: Brand mention rate and authority are your moat.
“Names don’t matter — presence does.”
Whether you call it SEO, GEO, or AISO, the core work hasn’t changed: Create valuable content, distribute it where users (or AI) are.
Heraclitus said: “You cannot step into the same river twice.” The traffic river of 2025 has changed, but swimming skills are still in your hands.
“Names don’t matter — presence does.”
Whether you call it SEO, GEO, or AISO, the core work hasn’t changed: Create valuable content, distribute it where users (or AI) are.
Heraclitus said: “You cannot step into the same river twice.” The traffic river of 2025 has changed, but swimming skills are still in your hands.
Mr. Guo
Indie Dev & Growth Notes
Strategy / AISO / SaaS / Global Growth
“Don’t be intimidated by jargon — go solve real problems.”
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