The Top Generative Engine Optimization / AI Search Experts of 2025
The Top Generative Engine Optimization / AI Search Experts of 2025
Published on First Page Sage September 3, 2025 by First Page Sage Staff
The Top GEO / AI Search Experts
In the table below, we present the leading generative engine optimization experts based on our comprehensive evaluation criteria.
The Top GEO / AI Search Experts of 2025
| Rank | Expert | Industry Influence | Client Results | Technical Expertise | Social Following | Media References | Years in GEO + SEO | Specialty |
| 1 | Evan Bailyn | Founder of generative engine optimization | GEO wins for Salesforce, Microsoft, Chanel | Advanced Generative Engine Optimization | 32K LinkedIn | ~2,400 | 22+ years | Lead generation & brand building through GEO |
| 2 | Aleyda Solís | International Expert | Global enterprise SEO / GEO success | Multilingual AI | 52K LinkedIn | ~1,680 | 14 years | International & multilingual GEO |
| 3 | Lily Ray | VP SEO Strategy | Successful consulting for Fortune 500s | AI Quality Signals | 29K LinkedIn | ~890 | 11 years | Search quality & AI trustworthiness |
| 4 | Kevin Indig | Growth Advisor | Wins with G2, Atlassian | LLM Traffic Patterns | 31K LinkedIn | ~1,250 | 13 years | AI search metrics & business impact |
| 5 | Jason Barnard | AEO Pioneer (2018) | Knowledge Panel Optimization wins | Knowledge Graphs | 45K LinkedIn | ~1,950 | 12 years | Entity optimization & answer engines |
| 6 | Ross Simmonds | GEO Conference Speaker | Success with Jobber, Procore | Distribution Strategy | 38K LinkedIn | ~1,100 | 10 years | Content distribution for AI visibility |
| 7 | Mike King | iPullRank CEO | Successful enterprise technical audits | Technical SEO/AI | 18K LinkedIn | ~720 | 12 years | Technical GEO implementation |
Jason Barnard - Entity Optimization & Answer Engines
Jason Barnard’s coining of “Answer Engine Optimization” established him as an early thought leader in what would become generative engine optimization. Through his company Kalicube®, Barnard has developed comprehensive systems for making brands understandable to AI systems through entity optimization and knowledge graph management.
- Location: France
- Years of Experience: 12
- Known For: Coined “Answer Engine Optimization” (AEO) in 2018
- Consultation Focus: Knowledge Panels, Entity Optimization
| Summary of Reviews |
| Experts praise Barnard’s “pioneering vision” and “systematic approach to entities”; critics sometimes find his focus “too specialized” for broader GEO needs. |
The Top GEO / AI Search Experts by Specialty
We further broke down our data to estimate the top experts by GEO specialty.
Top 5 for Enterprise GEO Strategy:
- Evan Bailyn
- Kevin Indig
- Jason Barnard
- Ross Simmonds
- Aleyda Solís
Top 5 for Lead Generation:
- Evan Bailyn
- Lily Ray
- Aleyda Solís
- Ross Simmonds
- Jason Barnard
Top 5 for Technical Implementation:
- Mike King
- Evan Bailyn
- Jason Barnard
- Kevin Indig
- Aleyda Solís
