Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) & SEO Intern at Idaho Youth Ranch
This is a Boise State WorkU internship opportunity for Fall 2026! If you don't know what Work U is or need a refresher, please check out our webpage here. When you apply to Work U, you will be able to list your top three Work U opportunities. A full list of available Work U opportunities can be found here. READY TO APPLY? Start your application here! Applications submitted by March 13 will be prioritized, and after that date, all open positions will remain posted until filled.
Overview
The Idaho Youth Ranch is one of the oldest non-profit agencies in the state of Idaho. Interns help move our mission forward by sharing stories, capturing moments, and amplifying our impact. We unite for Idaho’s youth by providing accessible programs and services that nurture hope, healing, and resilience.
Internship Purpose
Search is changing. More and more people now find services, answers, and trusted organizations through AI-generated responses rather than traditional search results. This internship focuses on optimizing Idaho Youth Ranch’s online presence to improve performance in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—the emerging practice of ensuring content is discoverable, trusted, and cited by platforms like ChatGPT, Google SGE, and Perplexity.
Key Responsibilities
Content Evaluation & Optimization
- Evaluate site content for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
- Help revise or create pages that answer natural language, multi-part questions about our services and impact
- Integrate credible citations, accreditations, and firsthand insights from clinicians or staff
- Develop conversational content tailored to likely AI-generated prompts and queries
- Recommend internal and external authority-building links within core content
Technical Optimization for AI Understanding
- Audit and implement schema markup (e.g., Organization, Service, FAQ, Person)
- Assist in centralizing and purifying core business data (locations, services, credentials)
- Support improvements to HTML structure, crawlability, and performance signals
- Flag dynamic elements/scripts that may hinder AI crawlers
- Ensure HTTPS security and technical integrity across the site
Brand & Reputation Signal Enhancement
- Audit and enhance online business listings (Google Business Profile, directory sites) for consistency
- Support efforts to build high-quality backlinks from mission-aligned, authoritative sources
- Track IYR mentions and citation inclusion in AI search tools like ChatGPT, Bing, and Perplexity
- Collaborate with content and dev teams to improve visibility signals across platforms
Tools & Skills You’ll Use or Learn
- AI search platforms (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google SGE)
- Structured data and Schema.org markup
- Prompt testing and AI query analysis
- Technical writing and digital strategy
- Digital reputation and online listings management
Ideal Candidate
- Interested in the future of digital search and AI content
- Strong writing/editing skills and attention to detail
- Some familiarity with SEO or structured data a plus
- Comfortable using tools, testing content in AI platforms, and reporting results
- Curious, proactive, and eager to make a measurable impact
What You’ll Gain
- Direct experience in a cutting-edge area of digital marketing
- Skills in SEO, AI behavior, technical content optimization, and authority-building
- Mentorship and strategic exposure from a nonprofit communications team
- A measurable portfolio showing how your work increased visibility and access
- The chance to help Idaho families find the mental health services they need through better search and discovery
Requirements
Idaho Youth Ranch requires a general background check and will facilitate this process.
PAYMENT: This is an unpaid internship
Click here to view Boise State’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement