How to Vibe Code for Free – Part 12: Be Discoverable Everywhere
How to make sure people find your app in Google and AI search engines
The first time I launched an app, I thought my job was done.
I built it, polished it, hit Publish… and then sat back waiting for people to magically show up.
They didn’t.
Turns out, building the app is only half the story. The other half is making sure people can actually find it. A brilliant app that nobody sees is just a whisper in the void.
That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and its new cousin GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) come in. One makes you visible to Google. The other makes you visible to AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Together, they’re how you get from “I built an app” to “people are discovering my app.”
1. SEO Basics (Google Still Matters)
SEO is the “classic” way to get found. If someone Googles “free meal planner app” or “how do I split bills with roommates”, you want your app to pop up.
The good news: as a vibe coder, you don’t need to become an SEO wizard.
A few quick wins go a long way:
Page titles and meta descriptions → Don’t let Google list you as “Untitled Page.” Give each page a clear name and a short, clear description in your app’s landing page.
Meaningful URLs →
/meal-planneris better than/page?id=123.Free Lighthouse audit → Chrome DevTools → Lighthouse tab. It scores your app on performance, accessibility, and SEO. Google loves fast + mobile-friendly.
Lighthouse audit
Free Tools to Use:
Google Lighthouse (built into Chrome) → audit speed, accessibility, SEO.
Ubersuggest → find keywords people actually search.
Ahrefs Free Tools → quick keyword and backlink check.
💡 Prompt to try:
“Review my app’s landing page and suggest improvements for SEO. Identify missing keywords, weak headlines, and page speed issues. Rewrite my meta title and meta description to improve Google search visibility.”
2. Enter GEO: Generative Engine Optimisation
Here’s the new frontier: AI search.
Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are becoming the new “Google” for many people. Instead of typing a query into a search bar, they’re asking an AI.
👉 “What’s a good free app for planning meals?”
👉 “Is there an easy way to split bills with friends?”
If your app isn’t described in a way that AI understands, you won’t show up in these answers.
How to make your app GEO-friendly:
Clear “About” section → Explain in plain English what your app does and who it’s for.
FAQs in natural language → “How do I use this app to save recipes?” Write them like you’re talking to a person.
Human-readable metadata → AI tools scrape your app’s title, description, and Open Graph tags. Keep them simple, not jargon-y.
Share your app → on forums, Substack, LinkedIn, or anywhere AI crawlers can index it.
Free Tools to Use:
Perplexity → search your app’s category and see what’s already mentioned.
LetMeCheck.ai → scan your site to spot gaps and opportunities AI might miss.
Schema Markup Generator → structure your content so bots (AI and Google) understand it better.
💡 Prompt to try:
“Write a short FAQ page for my app that is optimised for both SEO and GEO. Make sure answers are written in plain language, clear enough to be quoted by Google snippets or AI search engines.”
3. Distribution = Visibility
SEO and GEO are great, but sometimes you need to give your app an extra push.
Places to Share Your App for Free:
Product Hunt → perfect for launching side projects.
Indie Hackers forum → fellow builders + potential users.
Reddit communities → relevant subreddits like r/vibecoding.
TikTok/Instagram Reels → even one short demo video can drive traffic.
💡 Prompt to try:
“Suggest 5 online communities where I can share my app idea [insert app type] without being spammy. Write example posts for each community in a friendly, helpful tone.”
4. Test & Iterate
How do you know it’s working? Test it yourself.
Google yourself → Does your app show up when you type in its purpose?
Ask AI tools → “What’s a good free app for [your category]?” If you’re not mentioned, you know where to improve.
Rerun Lighthouse → Each time you fix something, check your score again.
SEO and GEO are never “done.” They’re a loop: test → tweak → test again.
🎯 Small Win (Do This Today)
Write a one-sentence “About” line for your app in plain English.
Stick it on your homepage, your metadata, and your app store listing.
Example:
“Savor is a free app that helps busy parents plan weekly meals with one click.”
That one sentence is gold for both Google and AI engines.
👉 Next up: Part 13: Show Me the Money - how to monetise your vibe-coded app without scaring off your users.
Loved this Aniko! Amidst all the building & testing apps, I forgot SEO and GEO mattered so much. I guess we can start with manually launching them community built platforms like Product Hunt and Indihackers, and let SEO take over once we get a custom domain or something. Can’t wait for the next one! 🔥