SEO and AEO aren't competing strategies — they're complementary. Here's why smart marketers optimize for both.
What is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on ranking in traditional search engines like Google. It involves keywords, backlinks, meta tags, and technical factors to appear in search results.
What is AEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) focuses on being the direct answer AI engines provide to user queries. It emphasizes clear answers, structured data, and content that AI can confidently cite.
Key Differences
| Aspect | SEO | AEO |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Google, Bing | ChatGPT, Perplexity, AI |
| Goal | Rank #1 in SERPs | Be the cited answer |
| Format | Links, snippets | Direct answers |
| Key Tactic | Keywords, backlinks | Schema, llms.txt |
Why You Need Both
Google still drives the majority of web traffic. But AI engines are growing fast. The brands that dominate in 2026 will be visible in both. Use SottoVox to check your score across all engines and fix gaps in both SEO and AEO.