SEO vs. GEO: What’s the Difference — and Why Your Business Needs Both

If you're a small business owner in Southeast Louisiana, you've probably heard about the importance of SEO — but what about GEO?

Both are critical for getting found online, especially in local markets like Mandeville, Covington, or Hammond. So, what’s the difference — and how can you use both to your advantage?

Let’s break it down in plain English.

‍

What is SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?

SEO is the process of making your website more visible on search engines like Google. It involves:

• Keywords people are searching for
• Meta tags and page descriptions
• Site structure and speed
• Content relevance and quality
• Backlinks from other reputable sites

Think of it as making sure your site checks all the right boxes so Google knows what you do — and ranks you accordingly.

‍

What is GEO (Geographic Targeting)?

GEO is about making sure Google (and your visitors) know where you are and who you serve.

It includes:

• Mentioning specific cities or parishes (like Ponchatoula or Tangipahoa Parish)
• Embedding Google Maps on your contact page
• Using location-based keywords like “web design in Covington”
• Adding schema markup with your address

If SEO is what you do, GEO is where you do it.

‍

Why You Need Both

Let’s say you run a bakery in Mandeville. A well-optimized site might rank for “custom cakes” — but without GEO, you might miss out on “custom cakes Mandeville” or “birthday cakes near me.”

That’s the difference between getting traffic and getting customers.

‍

GEO Can Also Help with Voice Search & Mobile

More people are using phrases like: “Find a landscaper near me” or “Best gym in Slidell”

Local GEO signals help you show up in these voice and map-based searches — not just the big, national ones.