Glossary
Answer engine optimization (AEO)
Definition
Answer engine optimization (AEO) is optimizing content so that answer engines, from featured snippets and voice assistants to AI chatbots, use it as the answer; today the term is mostly used as a synonym for GEO.
AEO vs. GEO
AEO is the older term: it started with featured snippets and voice search, where one answer is read out. GEO came with generative AI. In practice both mean the same work today: be the source, and the brand, that AI answers name. Many tools call themselves AEO and GEO tools at once.
What helps
- A direct answer in the first sentence under a heading phrased as a question.
- Facts that can be quoted on their own: numbers, prices, dates, definitions.
- Structured data (FAQ, product, organization) and pages that render without JavaScript.
- Being named on the third-party pages answer engines read.
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