Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), what exactly is it?
AEO, Answer Engine Optimization, also known simply as “AI optimization,” is the new standard in online marketing, just like GEO, and focuses on optimizing content for AI models and systems. So what is it, and how does it differ from GEO? AEO’s core principle is providing answers that are direct, concise, and easily understandable, while GEO focuses on providing in-depth, comprehensive answers.
AEO and GEO in practice.
How do you translate this into practice from the visitor’s perspective? You ask, “What is the capital of France?” AEO says, “The capital of France is Paris.” GEO will say, “Paris, located on the banks of the Seine River, is the capital and most populous city of France. It is a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture, and is known for its iconic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. With a history dating back to the 3rd century BC, Paris has played a crucial role in European history.”
When are you dealing with what?
When you Google, you sometimes get a more detailed answer at the top than a regular search result. This is called a “Featured Snippet” and is AEO. Sometimes you get an AI summary, this is GEO. The AEO answer is a direct answer from a single website, while the GEO answer can be based on multiple websites. Smart assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa also often provide a single, direct and concise AEO answer. A complex question to AI chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT produces a complex, detailed answer. The sources used for this are the GEO-optimized websites.
How does AEO translate to my website?
If you want your website to be found in AEO, consider an FAQ module. Every frequently asked question and its corresponding answer are an opportunity to be included in a Featured Snippet. Use clear headings, but don’t call them “About Us,” as this isn’t a question and doesn’t answer one. Provide concise descriptions and definitions for services, blog posts, or portfolio items, and include a step-by-step plan on your website. Write content for people, not search engines. Stop keyword stuffing and endlessly repeating your keywords.
How does GEO translate to my website?
If you want your website to be found in GEO, consider a comprehensive manual, case studies, use data sources and statistics, create comparisons and analyses, and write a high-quality, original blog post. Write for people, not search engines. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on providing unique, valuable information that truly helps the reader. Also consider the information you include on your home, services, about, and contact pages. Be more unique and less “I saw something on another website…”
Finally, what about the technical side?
Now you know what you can do to your website, but the technical foundation is crucial. Think about PageSpeed. AI systems want to provide answers quickly. If your website isn’t fast, forget it, no matter how well you’ve translated it to your website. Think about the right page and link structure, a good mobile experience, accessibility, and above all, structured data! Does your website even support the necessary comprehensive results? This is essential for AEO and GEO, and this is also measurable. Do you use SEO plugins like Yoast, Rank Math, or SEOPress? You’re losing ponits, but get in touch!