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Beyond SEO: What You Need to Know About GEO and AEO

Online Search Has Changed

How did you find this article? Google? Bing? ChatGPT? Alexa? Our newsletter or recent LinkedIn post?

There was a time when finding something online simply meant using a search engine. Gaining visibility was all about climbing Google’s rankings with SEO tactics and hoping users scrolled far enough to spot your link. Those days are behind us.  

SEO is still important, but it no longer tells the whole story. Today, people don’t just search – they ask. They expect instant answers from AI tools, voice assistants, and chat platforms.

Showing up in search results isn’t enough anymore; your content needs to be the trusted answer. Even if you rank first in traditional search, your content might still be overlooked if it doesn’t align with how people search today.

In late 2024, web traffic derived from AI sources jumped 1,300%. According to AIBase, users arriving via AI-powered search spent 8% more time on-site, viewed 12% more pages, and had a 23% lower bounce rate than those coming from traditional search.  

Additionally, Gartner projects that by 2026, AI-generated answers will replace 25% of informational search traffic. These metrics underscore AI’s growing role in boosting engagement and visibility.

For marketers, adapting to today’s shifting landscape requires a new approach. A modern visibility strategy ensures your content is not only found but also trusted and referenced across both traditional search engines and AI-powered assistants. This approach combines:

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing content to rank higher in traditional search engine results. 
  • Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): Optimizing content to be cited and used by AI-generated responses and chatbots. 
  • Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): Optimizing content to be selected as the direct answer in AI and voice searches. 

These strategies work together to boost your discoverability in today’s evolving landscape.

AEO vs. GEO: What’s the Difference?

Search behavior is evolving rapidly. As AI tools become more pervasive, they increasingly act as the bridge between users and websites. To stay relevant, your content must be structured to:

  • Support natural-language queries
  • Provide clear, authoritative answers
  • Be easily understood and referenced by AI platforms

But what exactly are AEO and GEO, and how do they differ? Aren’t they both about AI using my content?  

While similar, AEO and GEO focus on different platforms, user behaviors, and content formats, helping you reach audiences wherever they’re searching or asking.

  • AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) focuses on structuring content as the actual answer delivered by platforms like Google Search, Siri, or Alexa when powered by AI.
  • GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) focuses on making your content usable and citable by generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google’s Gemin

Consider how people search today: asking questions and expecting quick, reliable summaries. To stay visible in an AI-first world, your content must be prepared. By upgrading for both AEO and GEO, you increase the likelihood that your content will be found, trusted, and included in AI-generated responses.  

Let’s take a closer look:

Quick Comparison

SEO AEO GEO
Definition Search Engine Optimization Answer Engine Optimization Generative Engine Optimization
Goal Rank high in traditional search engine result pages (SERPs). Be the single trusted or featured answer to specific user questions, powered by AI. Be included in AI-generated summaries, lists, and recommendations.
Where It’s Used Traditional search, such as Google Search or Bing. Voice assistants, “People Also Ask” boxes, featured snippets at the top of search results. In multi-paragraph answers generated by AI tools, not just as a link, but as part of the response.
Best Use Increasing website visibility through keyword rankings and backlinks. Driving organic traffic through featured snippets and answer boxes. Establishing authority and credibility and amplifying brand presence within AI ecosystems.
Content Style Keyword-targeted, well-structured content. Conversational Q&A; direct and structured answers. Informative, well-sourced, semantically rich content.
Tactics
  • Optimize titles, meta descriptions, and headings with target keywords.
  • Build high-quality backlinks from reputable, relevant websites.
  • Improve technical SEO: fast load speed, mobile-friendly, secure, and crawlable.
  • Enhance UX with clear navigation, helpful content, and strong internal linking.
  • Structure answers clearly and concisely to support quick comprehension.
  • Add schema markup (FAQ Page, QA Page, How To).
  • Write conversationally, anticipating how real users phrase questions and what they may ask.
  • Create evergreen, in-depth content that reflects thought leadership and is well-cited.
  • Use language AI understands semantically.
  • Be referenced by reputable sources.
  • Align with Google’s E-E-A-T principles: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness.
  • Include signals of credibility: author bios, source citations, and publishing dates.
Quick Wins in Your Marketing Copy Instead of:
"Our team utilizes best-in-class optimization solutions for scalable growth."
Say:
"Our SEO experts help your site rank higher on Google, so more people find your business online."
Instead of:
"Our services ensure optimal content delivery across platforms."
Say:
"How do our services help? They make sure your content reaches users clearly and quickly."
Instead of:
"Explore our in-depth blog post on marketing trends."
Say:
"According to our 2025 marketing trends report, influencer-led campaigns are up 48%, backed by data from over 1,000 brands."

Be Discoverable

Improving your content for AEO and GEO is more than a technical update. It is a strategic shift that aligns your content with how audiences search and engage today. When your content is easy for AI tools to interpret, cite, and deliver, you improve your chances of being seen and trusted.

A combined strategy that integrates SEO, AEO, and GEO helps your association or event:

  • Stay visible across both traditional and AI-powered platforms
  • Align with how users search and consume information today
  • Build long-term credibility and thought leadership

When you develop your web presence with the intention of communicating effectively to both humans and AI, you ensure your content is not only found but also trusted, used, and shared.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Looking for expert support? Contact 360 Live Media to see how our team can help you reach your visibility goals.

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