The Startup Ideas Podcast what the heck is GEO (AI search, rankings, $$$)
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Sep 12, 2025 
Cody Schneider, the founder of graphed.com and an expert in AI search, dives deep into the world of GEO—AI-driven search technology. He discusses how GEO, while generating buzz, still represents a small slice of overall searches compared to traditional engines. Cody emphasizes that conversion rates from AI search can be impressive, ranging from 10-40%. He outlines strategies for businesses to optimize their presence on AI-referenced URLs, stressing the importance of getting brand visibility on high-ranking pages for better search outcomes.
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AI Search Is Big Hype, Small Volume
- AI search volume is growing but remains a small slice compared to traditional Google searches.
- The hype is high because software early-adopters and long purchase cycles skew perceived impact.
AI Chat Produces Buyer-Ready Traffic
- AI chat is often used as a research tool for complex purchases, producing more buyer-ready traffic.
- That research-driven traffic converts much higher than generic web traffic because users finish the buyer journey beforehand.
Target Long Research Purchase Categories
- Prioritize AI search if your product has a long purchase decision or research-heavy buying process.
- Target SaaS and local service businesses where customers research deeply before buying.