Emerging Trends Research Paper Outline Using the research from Module 3 Assignment 2, create an outline for an essay on Emerging Trends in Social Media Marketing. Submission Instructions: Fill out t

Using Primary Sources

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIMARY SOURCE
Primary Source:
*Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)*
Creator:	Date:
Multiple contributors (technology researchers, marketing analysts, and industry professionals)	2024–2025
Background of the source:
The given primary source studies the Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), which is a new marketing technology created as the generative artificial intelligence tools began to proliferate successfully, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity. The source describes the difference between using GEO and more traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) based on the idea that GEO is concerned with making the brand more visible among the AI-generated responses, not the search engine rankings. The source was produced at the time when the consumer information-seeking behavior started moving away from the traditional web searches to conversational AI-driven platforms, which makes it very topical to the contemporary marketing communication strategies.
ANALYZING THE PRIMARY SOURCE
What powerful words or phrases were used?
The source employs powerful terms, including: AI-driven discovery, generative search, brand visibility, algorithmic recommendation and content authority. These are words that underline innovation, technological development, and the strategic necessity of adjusting marketing activities to AI-based conditions.
What purpose did the creator have? What makes you think this was the purpose?
The main mission of the creator was to inform and educate the readers on the emergence of GEO as an inevitable change in digital marketing. This aim can be observed in the explanatory tone, specific definitions, and the comparisons of the traditional SEO and AI-based optimization. The source will assist marketers in knowing why current marketing practices can no longer be effective unless they are adjusted to the generative AI technologies.
What was the primary source’s audience?
The target audience is marketing specialists, digital strategists, business executives, researchers, and marketing students. It is a technical, but not very difficult to understand, language, which may indicate that it was intended to target people who already have the background knowledge of marketing and digital media instead of the general audience.
What biases or stereotypes did you see in the primary source?
The source displays technological optimism bias by highlighting the advantages and opportunities of GEO and paying insignificant attention to possible challenges like ethical issues, algorithmic bias, or less human control over brand messages. Nonetheless, there are no cultural, gender, or social stereotypes.
What key points did the creator of the primary source make?
Generative AI is transforming the way consumers do search and as well as information delivery. Conventional SEO cannot work in search engines with AI dominance. GEO allows brands to be mentioned, recapped, and prescribed by artificial intelligence. Marketers will have to reorganize the material to follow AI interpretation and credibility cues.
SUMMARIZING THE PRIMARY SOURCE
What are two conclusions you can draw about the topic from this source? For each conclusion, provide details from the source that support your conclusion.
Conclusions:	Supportive details or evidence:
Generative AI platforms are emerging as a leading information channel and brand discovery platform to consumers.	According to the source, AI assistants are giving more direct answers and recommendations, which does not need the classic search engine results pages and moves the trust of consumers in the AI-generated content.
The marketing communication strategies need to be adjusted to be effective in the AI-driven world.	The source emphasizes the idea that GEO pays attention to content authority, structure, and clarity to audit it to be seen in AI answers and show that the old SEO strategy is not enough anymore.
Questions for further study: What questions do you still have about the topic or that could be used to guide further investigation on the topic?
What are the long-term effects of Generative Engine Optimization on brand credibility and consumer trust? What are the ethical issues in the cases of AI systems affecting brand recommendations? What are the methods of marketers to gauge the return on investment (ROI) of GEO strategies in contrast to conventional SEO? Does Will GEO favor smaller brands that have smaller amounts of authoritative digital?