With the growing use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google’s AI mode, schools are tasked with monitoring yet another set of platforms to make sure what users see accurately reflects their community. While this can feel overwhelming, the good news is that many of the tried and true SEO tactics your school is already using still apply. In other words, you can shape the conversation on AI tools—sometimes called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—in much the same way you approach traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Let’s break it down:

Earlier this year Google introduced an experimental AI search feature called Search Generative Experience (SGE)  via its Labs platform. Combining traditional Google Search with a conversational function similar to Microsoft's ChatGPT or Bing's Copilot, SGE uses AI to synthesize information from the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) into an easily digestible summary at the top of the page, and allows the user to ask follow-up questions directly within Google Search.