GEO over SEO? a16z on Why Founders Need to Rethink Discovery in the LLM Era

GEO over SEO? a16z on Why Founders Need to Rethink Discovery in the LLM Era
Google’s not dying — but it’s no longer the only gatekeeper to discovery.

In this sharp and timely piece from a16z, Zach Cohen and Seema Amble introduce GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) — a new way to think about how people find answers through tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude.

📖 Read the full piece

For founders used to chasing SEO rankings and keyword hacks, this shift is massive. GEO reframes the game: your startup won’t win by being on page 1 of Google — you’ll win by being the cited answer inside an AI output.

Some standout insights:

  • The average ChatGPT query is just 5.7 words. This isn’t long-tail SEO — it’s intent compression.

  • More than 700 unique domains are now getting referral traffic from ChatGPT — often without users ever clicking to a site.

  • LLMs are not listing options; they’re choosing answers. Your content strategy needs to train the AI, not just target the user.

  • There’s an emerging GEO tool stack — from prompt-based analytics to citation tracking — and it’s a space ripe for startups to build.

Why this matters now:

 The LLM layer is becoming the new frontend of the internet. Whether you’re building a B2B product, a consumer app, or a media brand — your visibility increasingly depends on how these engines perceive and reference your work.

This read helped me realize: distribution isn’t just about reach anymore. It’s about relevance in the eyes of machines.

Curious to hear: how are you adapting your content, product, or growth strategy for the GEO era?

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"eChai has played a truly pivotal role in HummingBird’s journey — even before Day Zero. From ideation to establishment and into growth, it’s been a constant source of support. It connected me with incredible people who’ve become more than just friends. One of the biggest reasons I chose to stay in Ahmedabad is because of the eChai community. It has shaped my growth — both personally and professionally — in ways that are hard to articulate. Honestly, words fall short when I try to express what eChai means to me. I’m deeply thankful and forever grateful to eChai for being such an integral part of my journey."
Harsha Bhurani - Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group
Harsha Bhurani
Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group
“I have no hesitation in saying that my association with eChai has been a gateway into the startup ecosystem. Through this platform, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many young and dynamic entrepreneurs. These interactions have been immensely enriching - I’ve learned a great deal and have always tried to offer guidance whenever approached. It’s a truly symbiotic relationship that I deeply value, and it wouldn’t have been possible without eChai.”
Syed Nadeem Jafri - Founder, Hearty Mart
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart
"We found eChai to be a force multiplier throughout our startup journey. Through it, we connected with folks from DevX, Allevents, Plutomen, and more - many of whom became friends of IndiaBizForSale.com and even part of our clientele."
Bhavin S Bhagat - Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President
Bhavin S Bhagat
Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President

eChai Partner Brands

eChai Ventures partners with select brands as their growth partner - working together to explore new ideas, open doors, and build momentum across the startup ecosystem.

Climate Tech
Oizom

Oizom offers Environmental IoT and Environmental Ai solutions for a sustainable future.

Blockchain Development
Timechain Labs

Global blockchain development services.

CoLiving
Draper Startup House

Living and working spaces for startup communities.

Customer Engagement Platform
Interakt

Transform your business with Whatsapp Business API.

ERP
Biziverse

Powerful ERP and CRM software.

FinTech and Financial Services
MYCPE ONE

Comprehensive suite of services for CPA & Accounting firms.