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In today’s digital arena, how your peer firms are competing against you isn’t always obvious. Chances are, your brand is inadvertently part of a fierce online battle. With rapid changes in search technology and the advent of generative engine optimization (GEO), understanding and mastering search engine optimization (SEO) has never been more crucial — even for those who aren’t tech experts.
While marketing teams spend millions trying to ensure their brand stands out, many companies remain unaware that their competitors are actively advertising against them. Some brands see this as a fair game, while others view it as aggressive — or even unethical. Regardless of perspective, one fact remains: If your business isn’t strategically managing its digital presence, it could be losing customers without even realizing it.
The unseen battlefield: How competitor advertising works
Most companies believe competitor advertising is something done by others — until they discover the tactics are already at play. Search engines like Google use advanced algorithms that automatically broaden keyword matches. This means your brand might show up when someone searches for a competitor, even if you never intended it to.
Google has been expanding its definition of “close matches” in paid search, meaning that competitor brand names and similar terms are increasingly being used in ad placements. Unless your company actively blocks certain keywords, potential customers looking for you may see an ad from your competitor instead. In some cases, even simple typos or variations of a brand name can trigger search results featuring rival businesses.
For companies that haven’t yet considered a formal brand protection strategy, this is a wake-up call. If you’re not actively managing your search presence, your competitors might be using your brand name to drive traffic to their own sites.
Enter GEO: The new frontier in search
For those unfamiliar with SEO and GEO, think of them as the modern tools that help shape your online reputation. Just as a well-organized storefront attracts more visitors, a finely tuned SEO strategy ensures that your brand stands out amid the clutter of digital information. GEO is the next evolution, influencing what users see and believe about your brand before they even visit your website, thus transforming how brands appear online.
While traditional SEO focuses on optimizing your website to rank higher on search results, GEO takes it a step further. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate search results that are more conversational and tailored to what users really mean when they type a query.
Imagine a customer searching for your brand, only to receive an AI-generated answer that highlights your competitor as a better alternative. In this new search environment, brands no longer just compete for rankings — they compete for AI-generated responses that shape user perception.
Why this matters: The real impact on your business
The implications of these changes are significant. With search engines becoming smarter and AI playing a larger role in content discovery, traditional methods of digital advertising are being upended. This is leading to:
- Unintended exposure: Without proactive management, your brand might be used by competitors to siphon off potential customers.
- Customer perception: Today’s buyers aren’t just clicking on links; they’re looking for AI-driven answers. GEO is reshaping how customers understand and relate to brands.
- Strategic opportunity: By embracing both SEO and GEO, you can turn this competitive challenge into an advantage. Rather than letting competitors dictate the narrative, you can control your brand’s story.
Taking charge: A simple action plan for modern brands
To thrive in this evolving landscape, companies must be both proactive and strategic. Here are a few actionable steps:
- Audit your online presence: Understand where and how your brand appears in search results. Identify any unintentional overlaps with competitor keywords.
- Invest in targeted SEO: Elevate your brand by bidding on specific keywords that matter. Prioritize terms that potential customers use when comparing brands or searching for alternatives.
- Embrace GEO technologies: Leverage AI-driven tools that optimize your content for more intuitive, conversational search experiences. This will ensure your brand is highlighted in the new era of search.
- Launch a brand protection campaign: Develop a focused strategy to monitor and manage your brand’s representation online. By protecting your digital territory, you can prevent competitors from capitalizing on your reputation.
Looking ahead: The future of competitive search marketing
The landscape of digital marketing is changing rapidly. As GEO refines how information is presented online, the integration of AI with traditional SEO will become a cornerstone of competitive strategy. Forward-thinking companies will not only adapt but lead the charge by ensuring their digital presence is both authoritative and agile.
By rethinking your approach to search and advertising today, you’re not just reacting to change — you’re setting the pace for tomorrow’s market. The future belongs to brands that understand the synergy between SEO and GEO, using both to create a robust, defensible, and compelling online identity.
In a world where search technology is constantly evolving, taking control of your digital narrative isn’t just an option — it’s a necessity. The brands that master GEO and SEO today will be the ones shaping the marketplace of tomorrow.
David Quaid is a Managing Partner at Primary Position.
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