Inclusion dynamics are harder to measure than classic GEO metrics — but not impossible. A specific type of prompt test gives insight into your inclusion status per category.
The open category prompt
Test the following prompt structure systematically:
- “Name the most important [product category] providers in [market]”
- “Which [product category] players are active in [market]?”
- “Give an overview of the [sector] in [market]”
If your brand does not appear in answers to these open category questions — despite good content and SEO — that is a strong indicator that you do not meet the inclusion threshold.
Inclusion rate as a metric
Define a set of open category prompts per product category and market. Measure what percentage of those prompts mention your brand. That percentage is your inclusion rate.
A low inclusion rate on open category questions is an alarm signal that on-site GEO optimisation alone is not enough — and that an ecosystem strategy is needed.
Benchmark
Compare your inclusion rate with that of competitors. If large players have an inclusion rate of 80-90% and yours is 20%, that is the gap you need to bridge — not via content, but via brand penetration.
Related in the hub
→ Want to know how to address incorrect or negative AI representations? Go to Cluster 9 — Defensive GEO.