Glossary
Answer engine optimization (AEO)
Answer engine optimization (AEO) is the practice of making your content easy for an AI assistant or search answer box to quote as the answer to a question. It overlaps heavily with generative engine optimization (GEO), and the terms are often used interchangeably.
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What it involves
- Pages that answer a question in the first two sentences, then give detail.
- Clear facts: what the product is, who it is for, price.
- Structured data and a readable site.
- Mentions on other sites the engines already cite.
How it differs from SEO
SEO aims to rank a page in a list of links. AEO aims to be named or quoted inside a generated answer. They share foundations, such as indexable, well-structured pages.
Questions
Is AEO the same as GEO?
In practice they are used interchangeably. GEO emphasises generative engines, AEO emphasises answer boxes and assistants.
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