At VISIBLE™, we believe that keywords are no longer the primary proxy for searcher intent. The new unit of discovery is the prompt. As Large Language Models (LLMs) dominate the generative interface of search, traditional SEO frameworks that rely on static keyword matching falter. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) begins with a radical shift in mindset: prompts aren’t just search queries—they are rich, dynamic expressions of buyer intent.
In a prompt-led world, buyer intent isn’t declared—it’s inferred. GEO demands marketers read the searcher’s mind, not just their query.
Why Funnel Thinking Still Matters in GEO
Many SEO teams are quick to abandon funnel models in the face of fluid user journeys. But at VISIBLE™, we argue that funnel frameworks are more critical than ever—if redesigned for GEO. Prompts behave differently at each stage of the buyer journey. Understanding these shifts is key to mapping intent, clustering prompts, and activating the Prompt Graph to win visibility.
TOFU: Educational Prompts with Passive Intent
These prompts are curiosity-driven. They resemble broad, open-ended questions that signal low intent but high learning opportunity.
Example Prompts:
- “What is customer onboarding?”
- “Benefits of product-led growth”
Real-World Brand Usage: HubSpot excels here with high-ranking educational content across SaaS sales terminology.
TOFU prompts are less about brand discovery and more about domain trust-building. They feed the Prompt Bank, establishing entity depth.
MOFU: Navigational Prompts Indicating Consideration
Here, prompts become brand-aware. They reflect comparative thinking, feature validation, and early-stage solution scouting.
Example Prompts:
- “HubSpot vs Salesforce onboarding workflows”
- “Best onboarding tools for SaaS startups”
Real-World Brand Usage: Notion captures mid-funnel interest by clustering templates and integrations around workspace needs.
BOFU: High-Intent Prompts that Convert
Prompts at the bottom of the funnel reveal immediate buying or adoption interest. These are the most commercially valuable but also the most competitive.
Example Prompts:
- “Get onboarding demo Zapier”
- “Buy customer onboarding software Stripe API ready”
In GEO, these high-intent prompts are few but forceful. They require real-time adaptation. A single BOFU prompt can reclassify as TOFU based on how LLMs interpret user context.
Visualizing the Prompt Graph Across Funnel Stages
We use the Prompt Graph to map prompt relationships across funnel layers. This dynamic structure reveals how prompts evolve in complexity, specificity, and commercial intent.
Mapping Prompts for a SaaS Brand
Imagine a SaaS company solving employee onboarding. Here’s how prompt clustering might unfold:
TOFU:
- “Why onboarding matters for retention”
- “Remote onboarding best practices”
MOFU:
- “Compare onboarding tools for HR teams”
- “Checklist for new employee onboarding SaaS”
BOFU:
- “Schedule demo onboarding platform XYZ”
- “Get quote enterprise HR onboarding solution”
By tracking prompt transitions, the SaaS brand can build category authority and intercept intent across all layers.
How VISIBLE™ Powers Prompt Clustering Across the Funnel
Our platform dynamically maps prompts to funnel stages using Prompt Graph overlays. This allows teams to:
- Detect emerging BOFU prompts before competitors rank
- Cluster mid-funnel prompts by feature themes
- Prioritize TOFU content that accelerates prompt journey velocity
Future updates will allow real-time reclassification of prompts as buyer behavior shifts, enabling dynamic funnel fluidity.
Prompts Aren’t Just Replacing Keywords—They’re Replacing Search
GEO requires a new architecture of visibility. Prompt-led strategies demand more than surface-level optimization—they require predictive mapping of searcher psychology. Funnel thinking, prompt clustering, and intent calibration aren’t SEO tweaks. They are the foundation of generative-era discoverability.
See your brand’s Prompt Graph in action—contact us.