Do you mean gel polish or hard gel? In both instances, you need to dehydrate the nail prior.
For gel nails (enhancements): Prep = cuticle work, remove shine from nail plate, dehydrate, prime, and base layer if that system has a base layer. Then proceed with extending the nail and building an apex. If the nails are thick around the cuticle areas, or you touch the cuticle with the product, then you will likely have lifting.
For gel polish: Cuticle work and dehydrate the nail plate. Then base coat, 2 layers of colour coats, and top coat. All layers need to be thin.
Water is also a culprit in lifting. So if they are going to the beach a lot these days, swimming in pools or taking baths instead of showers, you will notice these people probably have more lifting than others.
