---
id: "prereq-seo-mechanics-d3"
type: "prereq"
source_timestamps: ["§ From SEO to GEO"]
tags: ["digital-marketing"]
related: ["concept-geo"]
reason: "Necessary to grasp how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) fundamentally differs from past practices."
sources: ["geo"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-geo"
originDay: 3
articleStem: "hbr-ext-13-ai-upending-marketing"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/02/ai-is-upending-marketing-on-two-fronts"
sourceTitle: "AI Is Upending Marketing on Two Fronts"
---
# SEO Mechanics

**Prerequisite knowledge.** The text assumes familiarity with traditional **Search Engine Optimization (SEO)** techniques — specifically keyword optimization, link building, and metadata refinement — as well as how Google monetizes search intent.

**Why it's required:** Necessary to grasp how **Generative Engine Optimization** ([[concept-geo]]) fundamentally differs from past practices — GEO optimizes for a curated single answer rather than ranked links, so link-based authority signals matter less.


## Related across articles
- [[prereq-traditional-seo]]
- [[prereq-traditional-seo-metrics]]
- [[prereq-seo-and-sem]]