Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Generative Engine Optimization
What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)?
GEO is the practice of optimizing your product listings to be cited and recommended by AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Unlike traditional SEO which targets search engine rankings, GEO focuses on making your products visible when users ask AI assistants for product recommendations. As more shoppers use AI for product research (73% of Etsy buyers now start with ChatGPT), GEO is becoming essential for e-commerce success.
How is GEO different from SEO?
SEO targets search engine algorithms to improve ranking positions. GEO targets generative AI systems that make direct product recommendations in conversational responses. AI models look for different signals than search engines—they prioritize factual density, quotable content, clear entity attributes, and trustworthy structure. A listing optimized for Google may be invisible to ChatGPT, and vice versa. Both work independently and complement each other.
Does this improve my platform's search ranking (Etsy, Shopify, etc.)?
No—FirstShelf.AI exclusively optimizes for AI visibility across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other LLMs. This is about being cited by generative AI, not platform-specific search algorithms. However, well-structured, descriptive listings often perform better in both contexts, so GEO improvements may indirectly benefit your platform visibility too.
I don't sell on Etsy. Does this work for me?
Absolutely! FirstShelf works for ANY e-commerce platform—Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, your own website, and more. We optimize for how AI models process and cite product information, which is platform-agnostic. Whether you sell handmade jewelry, digital planners, vintage clothing, beauty products, furniture, or services—if you want AI models to recommend your products, we can help.
What product categories do you support?
We support all product categories with our category-adaptive AI system. This includes digital products (planners, templates, printables, courses), physical handmade items (jewelry, pottery, textiles, art), vintage and collectibles, fashion and apparel, home decor, beauty and cosmetics, electronics, food and beverages, and more. Our AI analyzes category-specific criteria to maximize AI citation potential for any product type.
What is the FirstShelf Score?
The FirstShelf Score is our proprietary 0-100 metric that predicts how likely your listing is to be cited by AI systems. It's calculated across four weighted dimensions: Semantic Density (35%)—how quotable and factual your text is; Structure Quality (25%)—how easily AI can parse your content; Entity Authority (25%)—coverage of critical product attributes; and Platform Compliance (15%)—trust signals and policy alignment. Higher scores correlate with greater AI visibility.
What are Text GEO Metrics?
Text GEO Metrics are deterministic, rule-based measurements that show exactly what to fix in your listings. They include: Fact Density (FD)—facts per 100 words; Readability Grade (RG)—reading level for optimal AI parsing; and Semantic Content Index (SCI)—quality of key information coverage. Unlike black-box AI scores, these metrics give you concrete, actionable numbers to improve.
How does the AI analyze my listings?
Our system analyzes your product title, description, and tags using specialized AI agents. We evaluate semantic context, information density, citation patterns, entity coverage (materials, dimensions, uses, etc.), structural formatting, and metadata quality. For visual analysis, we also assess text-image alignment, brand consistency, and image technical quality. All analysis is designed to predict what AI recommendation systems look for.
What does the Visual Evidence Check do?
The Visual Evidence Check analyzes your product images to detect mismatches between what your text claims and what the image shows. It assesses three key areas: Entailment (does the image support your text claims?), Brand Consistency (does the visual style match your brand?), and Image Quality (technical factors like resolution and composition). This helps ensure AI systems trust your listing as authentic and accurate.
How does AI image generation work?
Available on Pro and Premium tiers, our AI image generation creates optimized product visuals based on your listing information. The system translates your product details into visual prompts and generates images designed to enhance AI citation potential. Generated images are stored in your account for download and use in your listings.
Is my data secure?
Yes. We implement industry-standard security measures including TLS/HTTPS encryption for all data in transit, encryption at rest for stored data, secure password hashing, and row-level security ensuring you can only access your own data. We follow GDPR compliance principles and never store your product data longer than necessary. Your listing content is processed for analysis but not used to train AI models or shared with other users.
What happens to my product images?
Uploaded images are stored securely in encrypted cloud storage. They are used only for visual analysis and remain private to your account. We use time-limited signed URLs (10-minute expiration) for secure access. Generated AI images are stored in your account until you choose to delete them. You can request deletion of all your images at any time.
Do you share my data with third parties?
We share data only with essential service providers needed to operate the platform: Supabase (database and storage), LemonSqueezy (payment processing), AI model providers (for analysis—they process but don't retain your data), and Resend (email delivery). We never sell your data to advertisers or data brokers. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.
How long until I see results?
Most users see improved AI citations within 24-72 hours of implementing optimization suggestions. The full impact typically appears within 1-2 weeks as AI systems process and index the updated content. Results vary based on your product category, competition, and how comprehensively you implement the recommendations. We recommend re-auditing after optimization to track your score improvement.
Do you guarantee results?
We provide optimization recommendations based on our understanding of how AI systems process and cite content, but we cannot guarantee specific citation frequencies, visibility improvements, or sales increases. AI system behaviors change over time and are outside our control. Our FirstShelf Score predicts citation likelihood but doesn't guarantee outcomes. What we do guarantee is actionable, data-driven insights to improve your AI visibility potential.
Does this comply with platform policies?
Yes. We focus exclusively on white-hat GEO optimization. We only suggest improvements to your product titles, descriptions, and tags—all within standard e-commerce platform guidelines. We never recommend keyword stuffing, misleading claims, or any practices that could violate platform Terms of Service. Our optimizations improve content quality, which platforms generally reward.
What if I'm not tech-savvy?
No coding or technical knowledge needed. Our dashboard provides clear, actionable recommendations explained in plain language—like 'Add material information to your title' or 'Include dimensions in your description.' Everything can be implemented by copying text into your e-commerce platform's listing editor. Most optimizations take less than 5 minutes per listing.
Will this affect my existing platform SEO?
GEO and platform SEO work independently, and our optimizations won't harm your existing rankings. In fact, the improvements we suggest—clearer descriptions, better structure, more factual content—often benefit both AI visibility and traditional search. Many users report improved platform performance as a side effect of GEO optimization.
How does it handle seasonal trends?
Our AI adapts keyword suggestions based on current trends and seasonal patterns. The system monitors AI recommendation patterns and updates suggestions to match what users are searching for throughout the year. You can refresh your optimization suggestions anytime to catch seasonal opportunities like holiday shopping, back-to-school, or summer trends.
What are the differences between pricing tiers?
Free tier: 5 audits and 5 text optimizations per month—great for trying the service. Pro ($18/month): 50 audits, 20 text optimizations, 10 visual optimizations, and 10 image generations—ideal for active sellers. Premium ($45/month): 99 audits, 50 optimizations, 20 visual optimizations, 30 ChatGPT previews, 20 image generations, plus advanced features like competitor analysis and citation supply chain mapping—for power users and agencies.
What happens if I hit my monthly limits?
When you reach your monthly limit, you'll see an upgrade prompt. You can upgrade to a higher tier anytime for increased limits. Unused allocations don't roll over to the next month. Limits reset at the beginning of each billing cycle. If you only occasionally need more capacity, consider upgrading for one month then downgrading.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. Upon cancellation, you'll retain access to paid features until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account reverts to the Free tier with its associated limits. Your audit history and saved data remain accessible.
Do you offer refunds?
All subscription fees are non-refundable except as required by applicable law. We encourage you to try the Free tier first to ensure FirstShelf.AI meets your needs before upgrading. If you experience technical issues that prevent you from using the service, contact us at hello [at] firstshelf [dot] ai and we'll work with you to resolve the situation.