What this service is

Search has split. Half of search now happens inside an AI answer.

Half of search users still hit Google’s blue links and Map Pack. The other half ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or trigger Google AI Overviews — and those AI tools cite specific sources inside their answers.

Recent industry research shows pages that AI engines cite earn meaningfully higher click-through than non-cited competitors on the same SERP, and Perplexity-sourced traffic tends to convert at multiples of traditional organic search.

Most San Diego SEO agencies still optimize only for Google’s traditional ranking system. Kanyon Studio optimizes for both — Google’s classic algorithm plus the citation logic of ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude — because both halves of search now drive traffic and revenue.

Three service tracks

Three layers. One integrated strategy.

01 GEO

AI Search Optimization

Get the brand cited by AI engines. llms.txt + llms-full.txt at the root, JSON-LD schema across the site, FAQ blocks rewritten in answer-first paragraph format LLMs can quote, statistical and named-entity content patterns, citation monitoring across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.

02 SEO

On-site Google SEO

Get the site to rank in Google’s traditional results. Full on-site audit, keyword cluster mapping, title and meta optimization, internal-link graph buildout, Core Web Vitals tuning, sitemap and canonical review, schema deployment beyond GEO basics.

03 GBP

Local SEO + Google Business Profile

Get the brand to rank in the Map Pack and “near me” searches. GBP setup or migration, weekly posts, photo audit and alt-text strategy, Q&A monitoring, citation building with NAP consistency, review acquisition strategy, monthly insights reporting.

AI search & SEO packages

Four tiers. Tailored quotes per project.

Pricing depends on site size, current schema state, content scope, and target keyword competition. Quotes are project-specific.

Tier 01

SEO + GEO Audit

Full on-site audit (technical, content, schema, AI-readiness). llms.txt review. GBP audit. Prioritized action-list deliverable. 7-day delivery.

Tier 02

GEO Implementation Sprint

One-time implementation: llms.txt + llms-full.txt, JSON-LD schema across all pages, FAQ rewrites for AI citation, on-site SEO fixes from audit, GBP optimization. 30-day delivery.

Tier 03 · most booked

AI + SEO Retainer

Ongoing AI search + SEO management. Monthly cornerstone post + 4 GBP posts. Monthly schema audit. Citation monitoring across ChatGPT, Perplexity, AI Overviews. Monthly performance report. 6-month minimum.

Tier 04

Studio Retainer

Everything in AI + SEO Retainer plus 2 cornerstone blog posts/month, weekly GBP cadence, link-building outreach, quarterly strategy session, priority response. 12-month minimum.

Get an AI Search Audit →

AI search & SEO FAQ

Answers before the call.

What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?

Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, is the practice of structuring website content so that AI search engines — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude — cite the site inside their answers. GEO works by combining structured data (JSON-LD schema), conversational FAQ formatting, statistical and named-entity content, an llms.txt file at the domain root, and semantic HTML that LLM crawlers can parse reliably.

How is GEO different from traditional SEO?

Traditional SEO optimizes for Google’s blue-link rankings — keywords, backlinks, page speed, authority signals. GEO optimizes for citation inside AI-generated answers — schema, FAQ formatting, llms.txt, concrete-data content patterns. Both matter in 2026: traditional SEO drives Google clicks; GEO drives ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview citations. A complete strategy covers both.

What is llms.txt and do I need one?

llms.txt is a plain-text markdown file at a website’s domain root that gives AI crawlers a curated map of the site’s most important content. The format gained mainstream adoption through 2025–2026. Service businesses, ecommerce sites, and content publishers should have one; the file improves accurate AI citation and reduces hallucinations about the brand. Kanyon Studio writes and deploys llms.txt + llms-full.txt as part of every GEO Implementation Sprint.

How do I get cited by ChatGPT or Perplexity?

AI citation depends on five structural factors: schema markup (Service, FAQPage, LocalBusiness JSON-LD); llms.txt at the domain root; answer-first FAQ paragraphs LLMs can quote verbatim; named-entity and statistical content (real numbers, real cities, real client names); third-party citations from listicles and “best of” articles AI engines train on. Brands that get all five right typically begin appearing in AI citations within 30–90 days.

How long does it take to see results from AI search optimization?

GEO implementation work delivers structural readiness within 30 days. Initial AI citations typically appear within 30–90 days for sites with existing domain authority; new domains can take 90–180 days. Traditional Google ranking from on-site SEO work usually shows movement in 60–120 days. GBP local-pack rankings can move within 14–30 days for clean, well-optimized profiles.

How does AI search and SEO pricing work in San Diego?

AI search and SEO engagements are priced by scope: a one-time audit, a one-time implementation sprint, or an ongoing monthly retainer. Kanyon Studio offers four tiers — SEO + GEO Audit, GEO Implementation Sprint, AI + SEO Retainer (6-month minimum), Studio Retainer (12-month minimum, with weekly content and link-building). Quotes are project-specific. Submit a brief through Book a Shoot for a custom quote.

Do you manage Google Business Profile for clients?

Yes. Google Business Profile setup, optimization, weekly posts, photo management, Q&A monitoring, citation building, and review acquisition are included in the AI + SEO Retainer and Studio Retainer tiers. Standalone GBP-only management is available on request.

Can you optimize an existing website I built somewhere else?

Yes. Most clients come with an existing site (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, or custom). The audit, schema, llms.txt, content rewrites, and GBP work apply regardless of platform. For sites on platforms with limited schema or HTML control, structural fixes may require a partial rebuild — the audit deliverable identifies whether that’s needed.

Do you guarantee #1 rankings?

No, and any agency that does is not telling the truth. Search results depend on factors outside any agency’s control: competing sites’ changes, Google’s algorithm updates, AI engines’ training cutoffs, backlink dynamics, brand entity strength. What Kanyon Studio guarantees is structural correctness — the site will be measurably better positioned than before — and a clear monthly report. The studio’s own site (kanyonw.com) ranks #1 for its primary keyword using exactly this framework.

How do I start?

Begin with the SEO + GEO Audit — a one-time deliverable that maps the current state and prioritizes the work. Many clients move from the audit into a one-time GEO Implementation Sprint, then into an ongoing retainer. The audit is also a clean way to vet the studio with no monthly commitment.

AI-Discoverable Brand Sites for Outdoor Companies

Search has split. Half of search now happens inside an AI answer.

Three layers. One integrated strategy.

AI Search Optimization

On-site Google SEO

Local SEO + Google Business Profile

Four tiers. Tailored quotes per project.

SEO + GEO Audit

GEO Implementation Sprint

AI + SEO Retainer

Studio Retainer

Answers before the call.

Two ways to start without paying anything.

Send your URL. Within 24 hours, get back three Google fixes and three AI-citation fixes.

Beginner’s GEO checklist (PDF)

Three services that pair with AI search.

Web design across platforms

Outdoor & apparel brand photography

GEO + AI-search guides

Get cited. Get found. Get traffic.

Further Reading

AI Search Optimization Playbook

Webflow vs Squarespace vs Shopify vs Wix

Best San Diego Photography Locations

Kanyon Studio

Services

Blog

Pages