What is AEO, and how to rank in AI search

What AEO and GEO mean

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) are about being cited inside AI-generated answers, from ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Copilot, rather than only ranking as a blue link.

Why it matters now

When an AI answers a question directly, it often names a few sources or businesses. If that is not you, you are invisible to a fast-growing share of searches, no matter how well you rank on Google.

How to rank in AI answers

Publish clear, well-structured, factual content that is easy to quote: direct answers, FAQs, and specifics. Add schema so machines understand it, and build the authority and mentions that make AI trust you.

How it relates to SEO

AEO and traditional SEO overlap, both reward clear, authoritative content, but the goal differs. Do both: rank the links and become the answer.