What Is AEO & GEO? Answer Engine and Generative Engine Optimisation, Explained

Search is changing. More people are asking AI assistants and chatbots for recommendations instead of typing into Google. Here's what that means for your business.

AEO — Answer Engine Optimisation

This is about structuring your content so tools like voice assistants and featured snippets can pull direct, accurate answers from your site.

GEO — Generative Engine Optimisation

This is about making sure AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini actually reference your business when answering relevant questions from potential customers.

Both rely on the same foundation

Clear, well-structured, genuinely helpful content — the same foundation that also helps classic SEO rankings.

Ignoring this is a growing risk

As more search behaviour shifts to AI-mediated answers, businesses that never adapt their content structure risk becoming invisible in an increasing share of searches.