Summary
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of improving how a brand and its content are used as inputs by AI engines to generate Responses. It is often used interchangeably with GEO.
Definition
AEO focuses on shaping how AI systems like ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude Results, Bing Copilot, and Google AI Overviews interpret and use your content. Unlike traditional SEO, which targets ranking in a list of links, AEO is about ensuring that AI engines draw from your brand as a trusted Source Domain and integrate it into their synthesized Responses.
The key idea is that AI engines don’t simply index pages, they generate answers. AEO strategies therefore prioritize publishing clear, authoritative, and well-structured content that AI models can easily interpret. It also means understanding how engines choose Cited Sources and Inline Sources, since these affect whether your brand is attributed or recommended within a Response.
For marketers and agencies, AEO matters because it determines whether a brand is discoverable in the era of AI-driven search. Strong AEO improves Brand Presence, Brand Placement, and Brand Perception across platforms, shaping how competitors and customers see you.
Use cases
Optimizing content to increase chances of being cited or linked in AI search Responses.
Aligning website structure and clarity with how AI engines process and summarize information.
Monitoring Brand Visibility in AI search to measure AEO effectiveness.
Identifying gaps where competitors appear in AI Responses but your brand does not.
Using AEO insights to guide broader Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AEO directly improve brand mentions in AI search?
Yes, effective AEO increases the likelihood of being included as a Source Domain or mentioned in Responses.
Why is AEO important?
It ensures that your brand is part of the conversation when AI engines create Responses for users.
How is AEO different from SEO?
SEO targets ranking in lists of links, while AEO targets presence inside AI-generated answers.
What is AI Engine Optimization?
It is the process of improving how AI engines use your brand and content as inputs to generate Responses.