What are AEO and GEO? (and how to optimise your website for AI).
Be the answer, not just another link!
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) are the next evolution in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and focus on getting your content selected as the direct answer to user queries in search results, ChatGPT and other AI-powered searches. That’s a powerful place to be!
AEO vs GEO vs SEO
This is so new to all of us that we haven’t had time to come up with a definite name for it yet! Many acronyms are trending online; is it AEO or GEO… no, it’s GSO, but don’t confuse it with AIO!
Whatever you decide to call it, all three mean the same thing. We settled on AEO for the rest of this post at least!
AEO is all about helping your website show up, not just as a link in the search results, but as the actual answer to someone’s question – right there in Google’s AI Overview (AIO), featured snippets, voice search responses like Alexa, and other AI-powered results.
Traditional SEO focuses on boosting your website’s organic rankings, you know, those clickable links in search engine results pages (SERPs)?! While that remains essential, SEO now plays a critical role in getting your content featured in Google’s AI-generated overviews. For your webpage to be selected as a credible response to a user’s query, it must rank highly and signal strong relevance and authority.
Why is AEO so important?
With the rise of AI-powered search engines like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), Microsoft Copilot, and voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, people are now asking questions and expecting quick, accurate answers. That means your content needs to be:
- Clear and direct
- Easy for AI to read and understand
- Structured to match real user questions
If it’s not, your site may be left behind, even if you’re still ranking well in traditional search results.
What are the key benefits of AEO?
- Increased visibility in AI-powered searches.
- More organic traffic from users who want fast, relevant answers.
- Better user experience with content that matches user intent.
- Higher authority and trust in your niche or industry.
How do you optimise your website for AEO?
Here are 10 practical strategies to improve your AEO and help your site perform in the age of AI-driven search:
Time needed: 2 minutes
- Understand User Intent and Target Questions
Think like your audience. What are they typing, or saying, into Google or voice assistants? Create content that answers those specific questions.
Tip: Use tools like AnswerThePublic, Google’s “People also ask” feature, and your FAQs to discover real user questions. - Structure content for clear answers
Use question-based subheadings, followed by short, direct answers. Keep it to 2–3 sentences when possible.
Heading example: What is AEO?
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) helps your content appear as a direct answer in AI-powered search results, like featured snippets or voice search. - Implement structured Data Markup
Add schema markup (like FAQ, How-To, and Article) to your content. This helps search engines and AI understand and extract your content more easily.
Tip: Use tools like Google’s Rich Results Test to check your schema. - Optimise for featured Snippets
Format content using bullet points, numbered lists, tables, and quick summaries. AI loves clean structure!
- Focus on Voice Search
Write the way people speak. Use natural language, contractions, and a conversational tone. Voice search queries tend to be longer and more specific.
- Improve E-E-A-T
Google rewards content that shows Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness. Add expert bios, cite reliable sources, earn quality backlinks, and keep your content accurate and up to date.
- Create FAQ & How-To features and pages
These are perfect for AEO. Answer common questions and break down processes into clear, step-by-step instructions. Each answer should be self-contained and easily digestible.
- Track and analyse AEO performance
Use tools like Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to see how your content performs. Look for pages that get featured snippets or voice search traffic, and improve from there.
- Use Internal Linking
Linking content to other pages on your site is a traditional SEO tactic that improves website navigation, helping search engines discover and understand your site’s structure, effectively making your content more accessible and understandable to AI.
- Improve website speed & mobile experience
AI and voice search heavily favour mobile-first, fast-loading websites. Ensure your site functions seamlessly across all devices.
At Puro Design, we build mobile-optimised websites with speed and SEO performance baked in from day one.
Is AEO important for small businesses, too?
Hell yes! AEO isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a crucial strategy for staying relevant in today’s AI-driven search landscape. Moreover, by understanding how users search, you can structure your content to directly answer their questions; in turn, this can significantly boost your visibility and engagement.
Ready for your content to be the answer in AI-powered searches?
So, if you’re ready to optimise your website for AEO, Puro Design can help. From content strategy and SEO to website design and technical implementation, we’ll make sure your business is set up for success in the age of AI search. Contact the Puro Design team today to get the ball rolling!
