Short answer
According to a Fiverr survey of search freelancers, more respondents say demand for generative engine optimisation has grown over the past year than say demand for Google rankings has grown. Even so, most respondents still see Google SEO as the strongest long-term investment, and the report recommends budgeting for both together.
Highlights
- 67% of search specialists say GEO requests have increased; for Google ranking requests the figure is 56%.
- 61% still consider Google SEO the strongest long-term investment.
- The survey's sample size was not disclosed; the results are based on respondents' own reports.
2 min read
Fiverr's 2026 Holiday Marketing Index offers a fresh sign that the balance in search work is shifting. As reported by Search Engine Journal, 67% of the search specialists surveyed say client requests for GEO (generative engine optimisation) have increased over the past year. The share who say requests to improve Google rankings have increased is 56%.
Is GEO replacing SEO?
No. In the same survey, 61% of respondents say Google SEO is the strongest long-term investment, and the report recommends budgeting for both together. We explain what GEO is and where it differs from SEO in our GEO guide.
What else does the survey show?
- 61% of search specialists say clients expect lower prices simply because AI is being used.
- 83% say clients now hire them more for advice than for execution.
- According to 89%, clients care more about results than about whether AI was used.
- According to Fiverr's internal data, GEO services on the platform grew by 29% between November 2025 and April 2026.
How much should the data be trusted?
It needs to be read with caution. The survey was conducted in eight countries. The total sample size, survey dates and question wording were not disclosed, and Fiverr notes that the results are based on respondents' own reports. The survey also does not measure whether GEO work actually increases visibility or sales.
What is the takeaway for brands?
Demand is changing direction, but the fundamentals are not: being cited in AI answers often starts with a strong, trustworthy presence in search engines. Rather than dropping SEO and switching to GEO, combining both in the same content strategy is the more robust route. You can find the differences between the terms in our SEO, AEO, GEO, AIO and GEM comparison.
Frequently asked
- What is GEO?
- It is the work of getting a brand cited as a source in generative AI answers such as those from ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. The goal is not a ranking but a place inside the answer.
- Should I move my SEO budget to GEO?
- Moving it entirely is not recommended. Even in the survey, the majority see Google SEO as the strongest long-term investment; planning the two together is more balanced.
Sources
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