Be the answer, not just another link!
What is AEO?
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the next evolution in search engine optimisation. It’s all about helping your website show up not just as a link but as the actual answer to someone’s question – right there in Google’s AI Overview, featured snippets, voice search responses, and other AI-powered results.
Unlike traditional SEO, which aims to increase your site rankings, AEO focuses on getting your content selected as the direct answer to user queries. That’s a powerful place to be!
Why AEO matters
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.
Key benefits of AEO
- Increased visibility in Google AI Overview and voice search
- 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:
1. 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.
💡 Use tools like AnswerThePublic, Google’s “People also ask” feature, and your FAQs to discover real user questions.
2. Structure content for clear answers
Use question-based subheadings, followed by short, direct answers. Keep it to 2–3 sentences when possible.
Example: What is AEO in SEO?
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) helps your content appear as a direct answer in AI-powered search results, like featured snippets or voice search.
3. 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.
💡 Use tools like Google’s Rich Results Test to check your schema.
4. Optimise for featured Snippets
Format content using bullet points, numbered lists, tables, and quick summaries. AI loves clean structure!
5. 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.
6. Improve E-E-A-T
Google rewards content that shows:
- Expertise
- Experience
- Authoritativeness
- Trustworthiness
Add expert bios, cite reliable sources, earn quality backlinks, and keep your content accurate and up to date.
7. Create FAQ & How-To 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.
8. 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.
9. Use Internal Linking
Link related questions and answers together within your site. This builds topical authority and helps both users and AI understand the context of your content.
10. Improve website speed & mobile experience
AI and voice search heavily favour mobile-first, fast-loading websites. Make sure your site works seamlessly across all devices.
🚀 At Puro Design, we build mobile-optimised websites with speed and SEO performance baked in from day one.
Get your website ready for the future of AI-driven searching
AEO isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a crucial strategy for staying relevant in today’s AI-driven search landscape. By understanding how users search and by structuring your content to answer their questions directly, you can boost your visibility and engagement dramatically.
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.
📞 Ready to get started?
Contact the Puro Design team today for a free strategy call.
