GEO glossary
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is optimising content to be surfaced as the direct answer an answer engine returns. In practice it is used interchangeably with Generative Engine Optimization; both describe optimising for AI-generated answers rather than ranked links.
Also known as: AEO, LLM SEO, AI SEO
The distinction some draw is that AEO leans toward direct-answer formats like featured snippets and voice answers, while GEO covers the full generative-answer surface. In everyday use the terms are synonyms.
Related terms
- Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — Optimising a brand to be cited inside AI-generated answers.
- Answer engine — A system that returns a synthesised answer instead of links.
See where AI names you today.
Get a free AI visibility audit and find out whether the answer engines name your brand, or a competitor.