What Is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
Instead of scrolling through pages of results, people now expect AI-powered search tools to deliver the answer directly. This FAQ explains what Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is and why it matters for brands looking to appear in AI-generated responses.
The AEO Scoop
Making sense of AEO in AI-powered search.
Answer Engine Optimization, or AEO, is the process of making your content more accessible to AI-powered answer engines like Google’s AI Overview, Bing Copilot, Perplexity, and other tools that generate direct responses instead of just showing search results.
AEO is also part of AIO (AI Optimization), the broader approach to preparing your digital presence for all forms of AI-driven discovery. While AIO covers strategies for generative engines, answer engines, and beyond, AEO focuses specifically on getting your content included in direct answers.
AEO vs. SEO (and GEO)
They may sound alike, but SEO, GEO, and AEO don’t work the same way. Here’s the sweet breakdown.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Optimizes content to rank on search engine results pages (SERPs). Basically, you are competing for those “blue links.”
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): Prepares your content to be picked up and reused by generative AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini when they generate answers to user prompts.
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Focuses on answer engines built into search platforms like Google’s AI Overview or Bing Copilot, where results appear as direct, AI-generated answers inside the search experience itself.
Why AEO Is Sweet
AEO helps your brand stay in the conversation.
Answer engines are quickly becoming the gatekeepers between users and information. Instead of relying on long lists of results, people are getting instant responses, and brands need to adapt. Here’s why AEO makes a difference:
- Answers come first: Users increasingly get what they need without scrolling through traditional results. If you’re not in the answer box, you may not be seen at all.
- Competitive advantage: Many businesses haven’t adapted yet. Early adoption of AEO gives you a head start before answer boxes become crowded.
- Voice and conversational search: Answer engines often power voice assistants and conversational AI. AEO helps you show up when people ask questions out loud.
The AEO Answer Bar
Got questions about Answer Engine Optimization? We’ve got the bite-sized answers you need: sweet, simple, and ready to click.
