Reasoning models

Models that spend more inference compute to think longer (o-series, R1, etc.). They can pick sources more carefully — or overthink a Reddit anecdote.

Longer thinking does not mean they find your page. Retrieval still has to propose you.

Answers may be more hedged. Inclusion can drop on aggressive marketing claims.

Examples

A reasoning model refuses to pick a single “best.” Your prompt set expected a winner. Change the rubric.

Volatility is how much the answer moves when you ask the same prompt twice. GEO reports that ignore it overfit noise.

Asking a model to reason step by step. Built into many reasoning models now. Users don’t see all of it.

Spending more compute at inference to think longer. Reasoning models. Latency and cost go up; answers may get more careful.

Optimize for o3 specifically? +

Be accurate and sourced. Tricks that work on a sloppy model may fail on a careful one.

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