Outrank your Own Keywords with Entity-based Content

Get the chance to get an AI citation, applying a concept- based structure to your content and boost your outreach

by Monica Di Santi

March 17, 2026

The new SEO, Generative Engine Optimization is here to stay and you have to adopt it ASAP.

Don’t stay behind.

The traditional content optimization that focuses on keyword density and back-links to rank, have worked wonderfully to rank on search engines but…

Are people still using search engines to find information?

Er… Yes and No.

Some people still read articles, but most people use AI models to get all type of information, create drafts, do repetitive tasks and more. They love their conversational style.

There’s a shift in behavior. Wow!

But it's not new.

Even before AI models became popular, lost of brand display a chat-bot on their home page to start a conversation with their potential customers ASAP

According to lasso-up.com organic clicks have already plummeted over 40%, indicating an important shift toward conversational AI interfaces like ChatGPT and Perplexity. 

On the other hand, branded searches have gained an 18.7% CTR boost. AI overviews that include a well-known brand as a source of information get more attention.

Don’t panic.**

Chaos brings opportunity, a concept developed by Sun Tzu in the Art of War.

The new chaotic situation triggers a necessity to find a new way to succeed.

Turn your content into an AI citation.

That’s the new opportunity for your business.

To encourage AI to cite content, shift from traditional SEO ( Search Engine Optimization) to GEO ( Generative Engine Optimization).

Elements of Basic Generative Engine Optimization

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) means you have to optimize content to be indexed, extracted, and cited by AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity.

The most important elements include:

  • Small Frame Structures: Content should be organized around standardized small components called modules, such as H1-H2-H3 and ideas should be expressed in short 150–350 word chunks that are easily extracted by certain AI frameworks.

  • Information Delivery: The prime goal of content is to answer conversational questions, applying a structure approach where information is organized hierarchically like in an inverted pyramid.

  • Clear Meaning and Structure: Content organization should offer precision over complexity and clear modular structure such as schema markup, bullet points and lists to let AI understand content modules and its relationship.

  • Expertise and Accuracy (E-E-A-T): Highly accurate information is AI favorite. That knowledge has to be the result of experience and authority in a field.

  • Conversational Language:Information have to be expressed in natural language patterns like the one human beings use when asking questions to AI agents.

  • Omniscience Presence: Information should be present beyond websites and should be present in specialized forums and widely-used platforms , such as Reddit and Linkedin..

  • Efficient Architecture: Websites and platforms' optimization favors highly-effective crawling and indexing.

Types of AI Citations

AI citations help show the sources where AI dynamic agents have extracted the information from. This creates transparency and offers an opportunity for users to read the original content.

  • Inline Citations: They are links to sources within the AI's generated text.

  • Follow-up Sources: A list of article links for further reading provided after the answer.

  • Embedded Links: Hyperlinks placed within the answer text itself, showing a video, graphics or pictures.

  • Right-side Citations: A list of article about the same topic where users can deepen their knowledge about a specific topic.

    alt:embedded-citations

Tips for Small Businesses

To adapt your content to the new generative content optimization, shift from selling to show you’re the best option in town.

Bear always in mind to explain why you started this business and why they should trust you.

Follow the EEAT framework to create profitable content. EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness.

This framework is used to assess content on websites and reach the conclusion that it provide authentic, valuable and fresh information.

How to Apply EEAT Rules to your Content

Start with a goal in mind, create an outline of the topic and use copywriting techniques to write a clear, concise and valuable piece of writing. To boost its credibility add the EEAT elements.

  • List Author Credentials: Write detailed author bylines displaying expertise.

  • Demonstrate Direct Experience: Use personal anecdotes, original photos, and practical case studies.

  • Boost your Prestige: Encourage customers to write positive reviews and earn back-links from outstanding institutional websites.

  • Check Accuracy and Freshness: Update content and make reference to prominent authors in the field.

    Take care of Transparency: Make sure your website includes pages describing who you are, contact information, and disclaimers.

Practical Content Assessment

Check your Content's EEAT

Read the piece of content and answer the following questions.

  1. Does the writer have first-hand experience in the topic? (Experience)

  2. Does the writer have an extensive background in the topic? ( Expertise)

  3. Is the writer a well-known personality in that industry?(Authourativeness)

  4. Is the piece of writing valuable, genuine? (Trustworthiness)

Check your Content's GEO

  1. Is the piece written in a clear, simple and concise way? (Extractiveness)

  2. Is your content organized around standardized modules, such as H1-H2-H3? ( Frame structure)

  3. Can your content answer conversational language questions? (Information delivery)

  4. Does your text shows clear semantic organization? ( Clear meaning and structure)

Conclusion

Adaptation is the key here.

As Charles Darwin once expressed, every single living creature should change and adapt to new conditions or perish.

AI models have revolutionized the way we do SEO.

So, it’s high time to apply generative engine optimization to your digital content and improve your content's search relevance according to the new rules.

Create entity-based content and turn your digital texts into an AI citation.

Add to traditional Keyword-based SEO , the EEAT structure to your content and enjoy your business relevance..

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