AI, GEO, and future search glossary: next-generation SEO terms for Wix

The SEO landscape is being reshaped by artificial intelligence at an unprecedented pace. Understanding the terminology of AI-driven search is no longer optional for serious Wix SEO practitioners. This lesson covers every major AI and future search term, giving you the vocabulary to understand, discuss, and optimise for the search environment of 2026 and beyond.

AI Overview (formerly SGE)

Google's AI-generated search result summary, powered by Gemini, that appears at the top of search results for many queries. Formerly called Search Generative Experience (SGE) during testing, AI Overviews synthesise information from multiple web sources. The rise of AI Overviews has significant implications for organic click-through rates, particularly for informational queries. Optimising for AI Overview inclusion requires authoritative, well-structured content with clear factual statements and robust E-E-A-T signals.

GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)

The emerging practice of optimising content specifically to be cited, referenced, and included in AI-generated search responses from tools like Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, ChatGPT, and other LLM-based search interfaces. GEO strategies include creating highly authoritative, fact-dense content with clear attribution, building strong entity recognition, using structured data markup, earning mentions on authoritative third-party sites, and structuring content to match AI citation patterns.

Large Language Model (LLM)

A type of artificial intelligence trained on vast amounts of text data to understand and generate human language. LLMs including GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude power modern AI search tools and answer engines. For Wix SEO, understanding that LLMs make citation decisions based on content clarity, factual accuracy, source authority, and entity recognition informs how to structure content for maximum AI visibility.

Entity

A distinct, uniquely identifiable real-world thing or concept (person, place, organisation, product, idea) that search engines recognise and store information about in their Knowledge Graphs. Entity-based SEO involves establishing clear associations between your Wix brand and relevant entities. Building entity recognition involves consistent NAP data, structured data markup, Wikidata/Wikipedia presence, and content that thoroughly covers topics through entity relationships.

Knowledge Graph

Google's proprietary database of facts, relationships, and attributes about real-world entities, used to power Knowledge Panels, AI Overviews, and other Google features. Getting your Wix business or brand into Google's Knowledge Graph involves having a Wikipedia page, Wikidata entry, consistent NAP across citations, strong E-E-A-T signals, and structured data markup.

Knowledge Panel

The information box that appears in Google's right sidebar (on desktop) or as a prominent block (on mobile) for entities recognised in the Knowledge Graph, displaying key facts, images, and related information. Knowledge Panels typically appear for brand name searches and provide significant SERP visibility. Optimising your Google Business Profile and building entity signals increases the likelihood of a Knowledge Panel for your Wix business brand.

NLP (Natural Language Processing)

A branch of artificial intelligence enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. Search engines use NLP extensively to understand search query intent beyond keyword matching, extract entities from content, evaluate content quality, and generate AI responses. Google's BERT and MUM models were landmark NLP advancements. Writing naturally for human audiences and covering topics comprehensively aligns well with NLP-driven ranking systems.

Answer Engine

A search engine that prioritises delivering direct answers to user questions rather than simply listing relevant links. Traditional search engines like Google have evolved significantly toward answer engine functionality through featured snippets, AI Overviews, and conversational search. For Wix site owners, optimising for answer engines involves structuring content to directly address questions using clear, concise definitions and implementing FAQ schema.

Zero-Click Search

A search result where the user's query is answered directly on the SERP without them needing to click through to any website. Featured snippets, Knowledge Panels, AI Overviews, and direct answer boxes all contribute to zero-click search. While zero-click searches reduce click-through for some queries, appearing in these features builds brand visibility and positions your Wix site as an authoritative source even when users do not click.

Perplexity, ChatGPT Search, and Bing Copilot

AI-powered search and answer tools that compete with Google by providing synthesised, conversational answers with citations. Perplexity in particular has emerged as a significant discovery channel for informational content. Optimising for these platforms follows similar principles to GEO: create authoritative, fact-dense content, earn citations from high-authority sources, build strong entity recognition, and structure content clearly with attributable facts.

Llms.txt

An emerging standard (similar in concept to robots.txt) that allows website owners to provide guidance to LLM crawlers and AI systems about how to process and attribute their content. While not yet universally adopted, creating an llms.txt file for your Wix site (accessible at yourdomain.com/llms.txt) can provide clear attribution information to AI systems citing your content. See the LLM Access Guide at wixseo.co.uk/llms.txt for an example implementation.