Organic search refers to the unpaid, natural search engine results that appear based on relevance and authority, as opposed to paid advertisements. Organic traffic is earned through SEO efforts rather than purchased.
Organic search characteristics:
- Free (no cost per click)
- Based on relevance and authority
- Requires ongoing optimization
- Compounds over time with good content
Organic search vs. AI search:
- Traditional organic: Users click through to your site
- AI search: Users may get answers without clicking
- Both rely on content authority
- Both reward comprehensive, trustworthy content
For comprehensive visibility, brands need both:
- Strong organic rankings for traditional search
- High GEO Score for AI search visibility
- Content that serves both channels
- Technical foundation that supports discovery
As AI search grows, tracking both organic rankings and AI citations becomes essential for understanding total search visibility.