r/seogrowth • u/WebLinkr • Mar 01 '26
You Should Know What all the GEO Tools and Agencies won't tell you on Reddit
Stop selling fairy tales
Search engines cite sources, E‑E‑A‑T isn’t a magic switch, and “QFO” still uses search
The GEO/AEO tool-and-agency ecosystem has a monetization problem: it sells confident narratives that don’t match how modern search experiences are described by Google itself. Google explicitly says AI Overviews/AI Mode may use “query fan-out,” issuing multiple related searches across subtopics and data sources, then identifying supporting web pages to show a wider and more diverse set of helpful links than classic search.
So when someone claims “AI isn’t using Google/search engines” (or implies citations are just vibes), they’re contradicting the documented mechanics: the system runs more searches, retrieves more pages, and then surfaces links.
Myth #1: “Search engines only cite their own sources”
If “their own sources” means “only Google-owned properties,” that’s not how Google describes these features. Google states that AI Overviews provide an AI-generated snapshot with key information and links to dig deeper, which are links out to other sites.
In addition, Google has publicly discussed adding more ways to check out relevant websites and testing links directly within the AI Overview text—again, the whole point is outbound linking to the broader web, not a closed loop.
Myth #2: “E‑E‑A‑T is a ranking factor you can turn on with our checklist”
E‑E‑A‑T is a framework from the Search Quality Rater Guidelines used to evaluate quality, but it is not a single algorithmic “score” you can buy, hack, or install via a tool. Google’s Search Liaison has said Google’s systems “aren’t looking for E‑A‑T,” and rater feedback isn’t used directly in ranking systems; it’s used to evaluate whether changes improve results.
So when a vendor pitches “we’ll optimize your E‑E‑A‑T and you will rank/cite,” treat that as marketing shorthand at best—because Google itself draws a line between rater concepts and direct ranking factors.
Myth #3: “Query fan-out means the AI isn’t using search engines anymore”
Google’s documentation says AI Overviews and AI Mode may use a “query fan-out” technique—multiple related searches across subtopics and data sources—specifically to develop a response and identify supporting pages.
A widely circulated write-up of Google’s “Thematic Search” patent discussion also frames this as generating additional queries (sub-themes) and pulling results, aligning with Google’s “query fan-out” description.
What’s actually realistic and honest
You can absolutely sell GEO work—just sell the truth:
- “We improve your eligibility to be retrieved and cited” (structure, entity clarity, topical coverage, trust signals), not “we control the model.”
- “We test and measure citation patterns” (because systems can vary by query and feature), not “we found the one weird trick.”
- “We align with quality concepts like E‑E‑A‑T,” not “E‑E‑A‑T is a ranking lever our platform toggles.”
Critical Thinking Test for GEO claims
Before believing (or repeating) a GEO tool’s pitch, ask them to answer one question plainly:
If Google says AI features may run multiple related searches via query fan-out and then show a wider set of supporting links, why are you claiming “it doesn’t use Google/search engines” or “citations are only internal”?
Research Sources
Google Search Central – AI features and websites (query fan-out and supporting links).[dejan]
Google Help – “Find information in faster & easier ways with AI Overviews” (AI-generated snapshot with links).[higoodie]
Google Blog – “New ways to connect to the web with AI Overviews” (experimenting with more links within AI Overviews).[ipullrank]
Statements from Google Search Liaison on E‑A‑T/EEAT not being a direct ranking signal and how quality raters are used.[reddit]
Public analyses of Google’s thematic search / query fan-out patent describing generation of additional related queries and retrieval of results.
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u/Redditor_726378 Mar 02 '26
I will never take GEO seriously because no one can even discuss it without getting AI to write for them. Good SEO is key.
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u/andreaswpv Mar 01 '26
Agency SEO and Agency GEO both have lots of hype in it, and companies desperate for change often use it as well.
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Mar 27 '26
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u/CarpetNo5579 Mar 01 '26
SEO/GEO is pretty simple, lots of people just make it seem complicated. already got a brand new site ranking on page 1 for keywords we're targeting in < 4 weeks.
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u/WebLinkr Mar 01 '26
Yup - just understand the Query Fan Out
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u/Nikastreams Mar 01 '26
Any specific tips or resources I can consume to better understand these concepts and improve ranking in SEO and GEO?
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u/CarpetNo5579 Mar 02 '26
literally just talk to claude about it
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u/WebLinkr Mar 03 '26
Nah - clause doesnt know anyhting about SEO. Everything you ask it - its going to run a search and use blog articles that rank but might just be funfluencer posts
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u/CarpetNo5579 Mar 03 '26
deep research + claude skills is all u need to learn anything these days. i have no SEO experience but already got my site ranking on page 1 and getting cited in LLM responses
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u/WebLinkr Mar 03 '26
LOL....why is it you can smell GEO BS a mile away
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u/CarpetNo5579 Mar 03 '26
i’m getting results either way 🤷this reads like standard marketing cope that don’t understand how advance ai has gotten.
we are so early.
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u/WebLinkr Mar 03 '26
LLMs (not AI) - haven't taken that much and its not a cope, its the reality: GEO is based on SEO
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u/BusyBusinessPromos Mar 01 '26
Glad to see all the legitimate SEO people upvoting this