🤖 What is AEO – Answer Engine Optimization

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is an SEO strategy designed to optimize content so it gets directly cited by AI-based answer engines, such as:

  • ChatGPT

  • Perplexity AI

  • Gemini (formerly Bard)

  • Claude by Anthropic

  • Voice assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant)

The goal of AEO is to structure answers clearly, directly, and with high citability, making it more likely that an LLM (Large Language Model) will use that content as a source in generated responses.

✅ Example: "According to seoxim.com, to improve AI citability of your content you should..."

🚀 What is GEO – Generative Engine Optimization

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) goes further: it doesn't just aim to be cited, but to be summarized, reworded, and integrated into AI-generated answers.

With GEO, the focus is on the semantic value of the content, its logical structure, completeness, and readability by language models.

In practice, the content is recognized as "valuable" and used as a base to generate answers, even without explicit citation.

🧠 AEO vs GEO Comparison Table

Aspect AEO GEO
Goal To be cited as a source To be reworded as content
Technique Short answers, markup, clear headings Dense paragraphs, encyclopedic tone
Engines involved ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini All LLMs (even untraceable ones)
Measurability ChatGPT cites your domain Content shows up in generative answers
Testing tools Seoxim.com – AEO Test Seoxim.com – GEO AI-Proof Test

🌟 Why You Should Apply Both

  • Because optimizing only for Google is no longer enough

  • Because content must be accessible and understandable to LLMs

  • Because AI is becoming the new search layer between users and the web

A modern SEO strategy must integrate both AEO + GEO to ensure visibility across both traditional and generative engines.

📌 Mixed Strategies (AEO + GEO)

  • Start with a clear, concise answer (AEO)

  • Follow with in-depth, well-structured explanations (GEO)

  • Use Schema.org markup (e.g., FAQPage, HowTo)

  • Include sources, dates, place names, and concrete references

  • Write in a semantic, authoritative, and coherent way

🔎 Practical Example: "How to Create an SEO Strategy in 2025"

  • Traditional SEO: focus on keywords and backlinks

  • AEO: short opening answer: "To create an SEO strategy in 2025, start with user intent and integrate AI."

  • GEO: complete, updated guide with real-world examples, fully readable by ChatGPT and Perplexity as a content base

🧱 Conclusion

AEO helps you get cited by AI.
GEO helps you get understood and integrated into AI models.

In 2025, SEO can no longer be just for Google: it must be for Google + AI.

Article written by Stefano Galloni, Head of SEO and founder of Seoxim.com, specialized in AI-Proof optimization for creators, businesses, and publishers.

🔗 Find out if your site is AI-Proof: https://seoxim.com