Why is geo picked over auto?

Geo is AoE, and English players don't understand the concept of Dps really. They see one big number and think "Op" but when they see 5 smaller numbers that realistically does more dmg, they think it's weaker.

I legit do this lol

The strong point of Geo is with huge dmg blow, Pure Geo user can nuke bosses before they start any dangerous actions, with that Geo party can skip debuff or rage phase easily. For example an OP Geo can 1 hit GK with 4m dmg from 50% HP, skipped buff delete and stun + blind phase
In actually test vs Auto, only Element Veleno (4x Veleno) user with same number of slots build have same dps as Pure Geo user with Sirius Edge + Element Barbar
With that, Pure Geo is easier to achieve high dps build than Auto, because Auto must build 4x Veleno + Element claw to match dps of Pure Geo

Seem like you have 8 slots total (full 2s), comparing to 8s Pure Geo, with freeze on luna, they can do 1.5m+ dps
Pure Geo naturally have more dps and most common auto monk build (3 Veleno + 1 Drain HP auto). Like I said, to match dps power of Pure Geo, Auto monk must use Element Veleno build. I.e against Neutral with this full 2s set is equal dps of full 2s Sirius Edge Pure Geo:
    Snead Claw III Veleno Sauro II
    Ira Veleno Aldi
    Breezy Scarf Veleno Thothras
    CGB Veleno Telon
And most party choose Geo because Pure Geo is party job, they are suck at solo Auto can solo and don't like to join party much
Another benefit of Geo is it always crit on Frozen/Stun even you are in Blind

no one here is saying geo is lackluster and pt makes kills faster (and less lonely)

The simplest answer I can think of is, in the time an auto user kills 1 mob, geo user kills 3. This is assuming both users are in a pt.

It's similar to PF Ninja vs. Magic Ninja. The reason Magic Ninja is played more is because it has more consistency then a PF Ninja. A PF Ninja has to deal with the possibility of doing less dmg than usual, while Magic Ninja never has that issue (except with rare occasions of Tenchi doing lower dmg than usual that I've read when Drags tested it's formula I think). But despite all of that, PF Ninja is still playable and viable. Its the same for Geo Monk vs. Auto Monk. Even if Geo Monk does more dmg, that doesnt mean Auto Monk is trash. It's all preference at the end of the day. The only thing people will tell a new player to play is a popular class/build anyway, instead of what they'd actually enjoy.