AI platforms are fast becoming the new front door for business discovery—and Aker Ink wants to make sure brands aren’t left standing outside. The PR and marketing agency has launched AkerGEO™, a generative engine optimization service that helps organizations improve how they appear, rank and get referenced inside tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot and Perplexity.

Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on web search visibility, GEO tackles the AI layer, where generative models increasingly influence what people read, trust and choose. With more research now happening in AI chat interfaces than search bars, this shift isn’t subtle—it’s rewriting the rules of digital visibility.

AI Is Becoming the New Decision Engine

AI systems pull from a hybrid mix of owned content, earned media, technical signals and perceived authority. The problem? Many brands haven’t optimized any of these inputs for AI consumption. That often leads to incomplete profiles, outdated references or, worse, invisibility in algorithm-generated recommendations.

AkerGEO addresses this by blending PR fundamentals, digital marketing infrastructure and a structured content strategy. The goal is simple: provide generative engines with accurate, trustworthy and strategically positioned signals so brands appear consistently in AI-driven outputs.

“AI is driving one of the most meaningful shifts we’ve ever seen in how people discover and evaluate businesses,” said Andrea Aker, CEO of Aker Ink. She noted that generative platforms evolve by the hour, and brands can’t afford piecemeal fixes. A unified approach is required to maintain clarity, competitiveness and authority across these fast-changing environments.

Research Shows the Shift Is Already Here

A recent McKinsey analysis found that over half of U.S. consumers now use generative AI for online research. That trend aligns with the rise of zero-click behavior, where people get answers—or recommendations—directly from AI, bypassing search engines altogether. As this becomes the default information pathway, companies risk losing influence over how they’re represented unless they adapt their strategies.

AkerGEO is designed to bridge this gap. By strengthening AI-facing signals, the service helps organizations:

• Improve accuracy in generative model outputs

• Increase authority across AI-driven recommendations

• Enhance how products, experts and brand narratives are framed

• Support greater trust and relevance in early-stage decision flows

Tiered Options for Different Maturity Levels

Because organizations are at wildly different stages in understanding AI-driven visibility, Aker Ink built tiered entry points. These include:

• Foundational Assessments – For companies exploring how they currently appear in AI platforms

• Integrated GEO Programs – Blending PR, content and digital execution to consistently shape AI signals

• Advanced Optimization – For brands already deep into SEO, thought leadership and long-term digital investment

This flexible structure allows companies to adopt GEO without overhauling their existing marketing approach.

GEO Doesn’t Replace SEO—It Extends It

Aker emphasizes that GEO isn’t a substitute for SEO, PR or owned content. Instead, it acts as the connective tissue that allows these efforts to translate properly within AI models.

“Strong SEO, PR and content programs are still doing the heavy lifting,” Aker said. “But GEO helps transfer that equity into AI environments. In a market full of new AI gadgetry, the biggest impact will come from treating AI visibility as part of a unified marketing strategy—not a standalone tactic.”

The rise of AI-based discovery means companies can no longer rely solely on traditional search visibility. As generative engines become the primary interface for recommendations, credibility and brand recall will increasingly depend on how well organizations optimize for the AI layer.

AkerGEO enters that landscape with a clear message: the future isn’t search-first or social-first—it’s AI-first, and the brands that prepare now will own the next wave of digital visibility.