Millions of people now ask ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity for recommendations instead of typing a query into Google. If your brand isn’t structured to be understood — and cited — by these AI models, you are invisible to a fast-growing share of your audience. That is where Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) comes in.
What Makes AEO Different From SEO
Traditional SEO optimizes for ranking positions on a results page. AEO optimizes for being the direct answer an AI model gives, often without the user ever clicking through to a website. That means clarity, structure and trustworthiness matter more than keyword density.
1. Write in a Clear Question-and-Answer Format
AI models favour content that directly answers a specific question in the first sentence or two, followed by supporting detail. Structure your pages around real questions as headings.
2. Use Schema Markup
FAQ schema, Organization schema and Article schema all help AI crawlers understand exactly what your page is about and who is behind it.
3. Build Genuine Citations and Mentions
AI models lean heavily on third-party sources — industry publications, review sites, and forums — when deciding what to recommend. Digital PR and authentic mentions across the web now matter as much as backlinks ever did.
4. Keep Facts Consistent Everywhere
Contradictory information about your pricing, services or location across different sites confuses AI models just as much as it confuses customers. Consistency builds AI trust.
Our team builds AEO strategies alongside traditional SEO for every client, because search is no longer just about Google. Talk to us about future-proofing your visibility.