GEO for Hotel Brands: Generative Engine Optimisation and the Future of Travel Search

The way travellers search for hotels is changing. Instead of scrolling through dozens of listings on Google or OTAs, more and more guests are turning to AI-powered platforms like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, and Perplexity.

They’re asking natural-language questions like:

• “What’s the best boutique hotel in Lisbon with a rooftop pool?”

• “Which family-friendly hotels in Barcelona are near the beach?”

• “Where should I stay in Marrakech with a spa and traditional design?”

And instead of showing 10 blue links, these generative engines return curated answers — blending hotel details, reviews, and content into a single response.

That’s where GEO: Generative Engine Optimisation becomes critical for hotel brands.

What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)?

GEO is the practice of optimising your hotel’s online presence so generative AI engines can accurately feature and recommend you inside their answers.

It’s the next step after SEO:

• SEO aimed to rank on search results pages.

• GEO ensures your hotel is included in AI-generated answers when travellers ask complex, conversational questions.

Why GEO Matters for Hotels

1. AI is becoming the new travel agent
   Instead of browsing OTAs, travellers increasingly trust AI-powered platforms to recommend hotels that match their preferences.

2. Fewer spots, higher competition
   Traditional search gave multiple chances to appear. Generative answers often highlight just a handful of hotels. If you’re not featured, you’re invisible.

3. Hyper-specific queries are rising
   Guests are asking detailed, intent-rich questions (e.g. “pet-friendly hotels in Rome with free parking and breakfast”). GEO ensures your hotel is aligned with these queries.

4. Direct bookings at risk
   OTAs are also experimenting with generative answers. Without GEO, your hotel could lose visibility — and direct revenue — to third-party platforms.

How Hotels Can Optimise for GEO

1. Build content that mirrors traveller queries
   Add FAQs and blog posts that directly answer natural-language questions like:

   • “Do you offer airport transfers?”

   • “What are the best things to do near the hotel?”

   • “Is late checkout available?”

2. Use structured data (schema markup)
   Apply schema for rooms, amenities, reviews, dining, and pricing. Generative engines rely on structured data to include your property in responses.

3. Keep listings consistent
   Ensure your hotel’s information (address, amenities, photos, hours) is up to date across your website, Google Business Profile, OTAs, and directories.

4. Optimise reviews for detail
   Encourage guests to leave reviews that highlight specifics like “family-friendly,” “incredible rooftop bar,” or “ideal for business travellers.” These keywords help AI engines surface your hotel.

5. Highlight unique selling points clearly
   Whether it’s eco-certifications, award-winning restaurants, or spa facilities, make sure these features are described in ways that AI engines can parse and recommend.

6. Test AI platforms regularly
   Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or SGE the same questions travellers might. See if your hotel appears — and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Examples of GEO in Action for Hotels

• A traveller asks: “What’s the best romantic hotel in Paris with Eiffel Tower views?” — your hotel is featured in the generated answer because your site content and reviews clearly highlight that unique view.

• Someone searches: “Best business hotels in Dubai with conference facilities and fast WiFi” — your hotel appears because your schema and descriptions emphasise those features.

• A user queries: “Luxury hotels in Marrakech with hammams and traditional design” — your property is included thanks to accurate structured data and detailed guest reviews.

GEO + Human Hospitality

Generative AI may reshape how travellers discover hotels, but it won’t replace the essence of hospitality — the welcome at check-in, the attention to detail from staff, the curated experiences that make a stay memorable.

What GEO does is make sure your hotel is chosen in the first place — so guests have the chance to experience your service and hospitality.

Final Thoughts

For hotel brands, GEO is the new competitive edge. Just as SEO became non-negotiable in the digital age, GEO will decide which hotels are visible in tomorrow’s AI-driven search results.

Hotels that act now will capture more high-intent bookings, reduce reliance on OTAs, and stay ahead as AI reshapes travel discovery.

At Snack London, we help hotel brands future-proof their digital presence with strategies that go beyond SEO — ensuring they’re featured in AI-generated recommendations. If you want your hotel to be part of tomorrow’s answers, let’s talk.

GEO for Restaurant Brands: Generative Engine Optimisation in Hospitality

The way diners discover restaurants is changing. Search engines are no longer just showing a list of links — they’re generating answers.

Whether it’s Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, or Perplexity, guests are increasingly asking AI-powered platforms questions like:

• “Where’s the best Italian restaurant in Soho for a first date?”

• “What’s the top vegan brunch spot in Manchester?”

• “Which restaurants near me have live music on Friday night?”

The answers are generated on the spot — pulling from multiple online sources, reviews, and content. For restaurants, this shift makes GEO: Generative Engine Optimisation essential.

What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)?

GEO is the practice of optimising your restaurant’s online presence so generative AI engines can understand, include, and recommend you in their answers.

It’s different from SEO in one big way:

• SEO optimised for rankings in search results.

• GEO optimises for inclusion inside AI-generated responses.

When a diner asks a generative engine a question, you don’t want to just “rank” — you want your restaurant to be featured in the answer itself.

Why GEO Matters for Restaurants

1. AI-generated answers reduce clicks
   Guests no longer scroll through 10 search results. Instead, they trust the curated AI-generated answer. If your restaurant isn’t included, you’re invisible.

2. Hyper-specific queries dominate
   Diners are asking complex, conversational questions. GEO ensures your menu, features, and reviews match those queries.

3. Fewer winners, higher stakes
   Traditional SEO gave multiple chances to show up. Generative answers highlight only a handful of restaurants — making optimisation critical.

4. Local intent drives bookings
   Most restaurant searches are local and time-sensitive. GEO ensures your brand is surfaced when intent is highest.

How Restaurants Can Optimise for GEO

1. Publish content that answers diner-style questions
   Write web content, blog posts, and FAQs in natural language, mirroring how people ask AI assistants for recommendations.

2. Use structured data and schema
   Implement schema markup for menus, reviews, hours, pricing, and dietary labels. This gives generative engines clean data to pull from.

3. Keep listings accurate everywhere
   Google Business Profile, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and delivery apps all feed AI models. Consistency across platforms boosts trust.

4. Optimise menus for detail
   Use clear descriptions and highlight unique selling points: “vegan-friendly,” “rooftop dining,” “locally sourced seafood.”

5. Encourage review-rich content
   Generative engines mine reviews to inform answers. Guests should mention specific dishes, atmosphere, and experiences.

6. Test AI platforms yourself
   Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google SGE about restaurants in your area. See if your restaurant appears, and adjust accordingly.

Examples of GEO in Action

• A diner asks, “Where can I find gluten-free pizza in Shoreditch?” — and your restaurant appears in the AI-generated list because your menu and reviews highlight gluten-free options.

• Someone searches, “Best date night restaurants in Brighton with a sea view” — your restaurant is included because your website and reviews describe exactly that experience.

• A user queries, “Family-friendly Italian restaurants near Covent Garden” — and your listing is pulled into the generative summary thanks to accurate schema markup and consistent local SEO.

GEO + Human Hospitality

Generative AI will never replace the warmth of service, the aroma of a kitchen, or the buzz of a full dining room. But it will shape how diners decide where to go.

By investing in GEO now, restaurant brands can ensure they remain discoverable, desirable, and chosen in a world where AI-generated answers guide the guest journey.

Final Thoughts

For restaurant brands, GEO isn’t just the future of SEO — it’s a new frontier of digital visibility. The restaurants that act early will dominate AI-powered recommendations and capture more bookings.

At Snack London, we help restaurants stay ahead of the curve — from SEO to GEO and beyond. If you’d like your restaurant to show up in tomorrow’s AI-generated answers, let’s talk.

AEO for Hotel Brands: Winning Visibility in the Age of Answer Engines

For years, hotel marketing has revolved around SEO, PPC, and online travel agencies (OTAs). But as AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s SGE become the first stop for travellers, the rules of discovery are changing.

Welcome to AEO: Answer Engine Optimisation — the strategy that ensures your hotel becomes the answer when a traveller asks:

• “What’s the best boutique hotel in Lisbon with a rooftop pool?”

• “Where should I stay in Paris for a romantic weekend?”

• “Which hotels in New York have pet-friendly policies?”

Hotels that optimise for these queries now will capture the bookings of tomorrow.

What is AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation)?

AEO is the process of optimising your hotel’s digital presence so AI-driven answer engines can easily find, understand, and recommend it.

• SEO made sure you ranked on Google search results.

• AEO ensures you’re chosen when AI platforms give just one or two recommendations.

This shift is crucial because AI-driven search isn’t about providing a list of ten options. It’s about delivering one highly relevant, trusted answer — and if that answer isn’t your hotel, you risk being invisible.

Why AEO Matters for Hotels

1. AI is the new travel agent
   Instead of scrolling through OTA listings, travellers are increasingly asking AI platforms where to stay. If your property isn’t optimised, you’re not even in the conversation.

2. One answer beats ten blue links
   Traditional search offered multiple chances to be seen. Answer engines give only one or two — raising the stakes dramatically.

3. High-intent queries drive bookings
   When someone asks, “Which hotels in Barcelona are family-friendly near the beach?” they’re close to booking. AEO ensures your hotel surfaces in those decisive moments.

4. Direct bookings at risk
   OTAs are experimenting with AI search too. If you don’t optimise, they’ll capture those bookings — taking their commission along the way.

How Hotels Can Optimise for AEO

1. Optimise for natural language queries
   Build FAQs on your site that directly answer common traveller questions, like:

   • “Do you offer free airport transfers?”

   • “Is breakfast included in the room rate?”

   • “Do you have pet-friendly rooms?”

2. Implement structured data (schema markup)
   Use schema for rooms, amenities, reviews, and pricing. This makes it easier for AI engines to parse and recommend your property.

3. Strengthen local SEO foundations
   Ensure your Google Business Profile, OTA listings, and directories are consistent and detailed — AEO relies heavily on accurate data.

4. Encourage detailed guest reviews
   AI scrapes reviews to understand your hotel’s strengths. Reviews that mention specifics (e.g., “the rooftop bar overlooking the city” or “perfect for families with young children”) boost your AEO relevance.

5. Make your unique selling points AI-friendly
   Highlight key features — spa, meeting spaces, design credentials, sustainability — in ways that answer engines can pick up and recommend.

Examples of AEO in Action for Hotels

• Discovery: Your boutique hotel is surfaced as the top answer when someone asks, “What’s the best luxury hotel in Marrakech with a hammam?”

• Content: Your FAQ page helps you appear in answers like, “Which hotels in London have late checkout options?”

• Bookings: A traveller asks their AI assistant for “hotels in Madrid near the Prado Museum under €250 a night” — and your property appears because your content and schema are properly optimised.

The Future of Hotel Marketing is AEO

Hospitality has always been about being in the right place at the right time. AEO is simply the digital version of that principle — making sure your hotel is the answer when travellers are actively deciding where to stay.

Hotels that embrace AEO now will:

• Capture more direct bookings

• Reduce reliance on OTAs

• Deliver better guest experiences by anticipating traveller questions before they’re even asked

Final Thoughts

For hotel brands, AEO is the new frontier of visibility. Just as SEO became non-negotiable in the age of Google, AEO will define who wins in the era of AI-powered travel search.

At Snack London, we help hotel brands prepare for this shift — blending hospitality expertise with cutting-edge digital optimisation. If you’d like your hotel to be the answer, not an afterthought, let’s talk.

AEO for Restaurant Brands: Getting Discovered in the Age of Answer Engines

The way diners discover restaurants is changing. Once, it was enough to have good SEO and show up on Google Maps. Today, guests are asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI-powered concierges for recommendations — and they’re expecting instant, accurate answers.

That’s where AEO: Answer Engine Optimisation comes in.

For restaurant brands, AEO is about ensuring your venue, menu, and story appear in these AI-driven answers — so when someone asks “Where’s the best Mexican restaurant in Soho with outdoor seating?”, your restaurant is the one recommended.

What is AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation)?

AEO is the process of optimising your content so AI-powered answer engines can easily find, understand, and recommend your restaurant.

• SEO was about ranking high on Google’s blue links.

• AEO is about being the answer when someone asks a natural-language question like:

  • “What’s the best steakhouse in Mayfair?”

  • “Which restaurants near me have vegan-friendly menus?”

  • “Where can I book a late-night dinner in Shoreditch?”

If your restaurant isn’t optimised for these conversational queries, you risk disappearing from the discovery journey altogether.

Why AEO Matters for Restaurants

1. AI is becoming the new discovery channel
   Diners are moving beyond Google Maps and review sites. They’re trusting AI assistants for fast, curated recommendations.

2. One answer = less visibility
   Search engines gave users 10 blue links. Answer engines usually give one or two answers. That means visibility shrinks — and the stakes for optimisation skyrocket.

3. Local intent is stronger than ever
   Most restaurant-related queries are hyper-local: “near me,” “tonight,” “best in [neighbourhood].” AEO ensures your restaurant is the answer in those moments of high intent.

4. Menus matter more
   Structured, well-optimised menus help AI engines match your dishes to guest intent (e.g. “best gluten-free pizza in London” or “where to get truffle pasta in Manchester”).

How Restaurants Can Optimise for AEO

1. Structure your content for natural-language queries
   Use FAQs on your site that answer diner-style questions like:

   • “Do you offer vegan options?”

   • “Is there outdoor seating?”

   • “Do you accept walk-ins?”

2. Leverage structured data (schema markup)
   Add schema for menus, opening hours, reviews, and pricing so AI systems can pull accurate information directly.

3. Keep local listings perfect
   Make sure your Google Business Profile, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and other listings are accurate and up to date. Inconsistent data hurts your chances of being recommended.

4. Encourage reviews in natural language
   AI engines scrape reviews to determine context. Encourage guests to leave reviews that mention details like dishes, atmosphere, and location.

5. Optimise menus for searchability
   Use descriptive dish names and clear dietary labels (vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free). This helps AI match your menu to specific queries.

Examples of AEO in Action

• Discovery: Your Italian restaurant is surfaced when a diner asks an AI app: “Where can I get the best carbonara in Covent Garden?”

• Menus: Your vegan options appear when someone asks: “What’s a good vegan brunch spot near King’s Cross?”

• Operations: Guests easily find answers to FAQs like opening times or group booking policies without staff needing to respond manually.

The Future of Restaurant Marketing is AEO

Restaurants have always competed for visibility, but the game is changing. With answer engines providing fewer, more direct recommendations, the winners will be the brands that optimise early for AEO.

By making your restaurant the answer, you’ll capture more high-intent diners, strengthen your reputation, and future-proof your digital presence.

Final Thoughts

For restaurant brands, AEO is the next essential evolution of digital marketing. Just as SEO became non-negotiable in the age of Google, AEO will define visibility in the era of AI-powered dining discovery.

At Snack London, we specialise in helping restaurants stay ahead of the curve — from SEO to AEO and beyond. If you want your restaurant to be the answer, not an afterthought, let’s talk.

AIO for Hotel Brands: The Future of Bookings, Guest Experience & Loyalty

The hotel industry has always been about hospitality at scale — creating personal, memorable stays for thousands of guests. But as travel habits change and AI reshapes the way people search, book, and experience hotels, brands that adapt early will come out ahead.

That’s where AIO: AI Optimisation comes in.

Just as SEO transformed how hotels were discovered on Google, AIO is set to define how they appear (and perform) in an AI-first world.

What is AIO (AI Optimisation)?

AIO is the process of optimising your hotel brand for AI-driven search engines, booking platforms, and guest experiences.

• SEO ensured your website ranked on Google.

• PPC captured demand directly through ads.

• AIO ensures your hotel is visible and competitive when travellers ask “What’s the best boutique hotel in Barcelona with a rooftop pool?” to ChatGPT, Perplexity, or AI travel planners.

It’s about ensuring your hotel is at the top of these AI-curated recommendations.

Why AIO Matters for Hotels

1. AI is the new travel agent
   Travellers are increasingly using AI concierges and search platforms to plan trips. If your property isn’t optimised, you won’t even make it onto their shortlist.

2. Hyper-personalisation is expected
   AI can tailor experiences at scale — from personalised upsells during booking to curated city guides. AIO ensures your hotel is set up to deliver these personalised touches automatically.

3. Direct bookings at stake
   OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) are already experimenting with AI search. Without AIO, your hotel risks being sidelined — losing visibility and direct revenue.

4. Operational efficiency
   From predicting cancellations to AI-powered chatbots handling FAQs, AIO helps streamline operations while maintaining brand voice and service standards.

5. Data that drives loyalty
   AI can uncover patterns in guest behaviour that would otherwise be missed. This means smarter loyalty offers, better guest segmentation, and more repeat bookings.

Examples of AIO in Action for Hotels

• Discovery & Bookings: Ensuring AI-powered platforms recommend your hotel based on unique selling points (location, amenities, design).

• AI-Powered Concierge: Training AI assistants to offer real-time, personalised recommendations (restaurants, tours, spa treatments).

• Upselling & Cross-Selling: Using AI to suggest room upgrades, late checkouts, or spa bookings at the right moment.

• Reputation Management: AI monitoring reviews and guest sentiment, giving management actionable insights instantly.

• Guest Experience: Automated but personalised pre-stay emails, on-property communications, and post-stay follow-ups.

How Hotels Can Get Started with AIO

1. Audit your digital presence
   Ensure your website, booking engine, and online listings are structured and AI-friendly.

2. Optimise for conversational search
   Think about the natural language questions travellers ask (e.g., “Which hotels in Paris are family-friendly with free breakfast?”).

3. Enhance guest touchpoints
   Add AI-powered chatbots, booking flows, and tailored upsell opportunities across your digital channels.

4. Test new platforms early
   OTAs, review sites, and AI travel planners are evolving fast. Hotels that experiment with AIO now will secure a competitive advantage.

The Balance: AI + Human Hospitality

The essence of hospitality will always be human. A smile at check-in, a staff member remembering your favourite drink, or a concierge going above and beyond — these are irreplaceable.

But with AIO, hotels can free up staff to focus on these high-value interactions while AI handles the repetitive, scalable tasks. The result? A smoother, more personalised, and more memorable guest experience.

Final Thoughts

For hotel brands, AIO isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a strategic advantage. The way guests discover and interact with hotels is changing, and those who prepare now will capture the bookings, loyalty, and revenue of tomorrow.

At Snack London, we help hotel brands embrace this shift, blending our hospitality expertise with AI-driven optimisation strategies. If you’re ready to explore how AIO can future-proof your hotel brand, let’s talk.