Why Industry Vertical Matters for GEO
AI doesn't treat all industries the same. Learn why your vertical determines your GEO strategy.
Key Takeaways
- How AI models are trained differently for different verticals
- Trust and authority signals that vary by industry
- Vertical-specific user query patterns
- Compliance and ethical considerations by industry
Not All GEO Is Created Equal
When someone asks AI to recommend a restaurant, the AI draws on reviews, social signals, and general popularity. When someone asks for medical advice, AI applies different standards—citing medical journals, being more cautious, and hedging recommendations. Your industry determines what AI looks for and how it evaluates your brand.
The Trust Hierarchy
AI systems apply different levels of scrutiny to different topics. Google calls this "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL)—topics where bad information could harm users financially or physically receive extra scrutiny.
Trust tiers by industry:
- •Highest scrutiny: Healthcare, finance, legal advice, emergency services
- •High scrutiny: Insurance, real estate, education, pharmaceuticals
- •Moderate scrutiny: B2B software, professional services, major purchases
- •Standard scrutiny: Consumer products, entertainment, general retail
Higher scrutiny means AI demands more authoritative signals before recommending you. Plan your authority-building efforts accordingly.
Vertical-Specific Query Patterns
Users ask AI different questions depending on the industry. E-commerce queries focus on product comparisons and reviews. SaaS queries focus on features and integrations. Healthcare queries focus on symptoms and treatment options. Your content must match how users actually query AI about your vertical.