AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing your content to be the best answer when AI engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI answer user questions.
Why AEO Matters
Unlike traditional search engines that show a list of links, AI answer engines provide direct, conversational answers. If your content isn't optimized to be that answer, you're invisible to the fastest-growing search channel.
Key AEO Strategies
- • Clear, concise answers — Answer questions directly in 1-2 sentences
- • Structured data — Use schema markup so AI understands your content
- • Question targeting — Optimize for "what is," "how to," "why" queries
- • Entity optimization — Define people, products, and concepts clearly
- • Create llms.txt — Provide an AI-friendly summary of your site
AEO vs SEO
SEO aims to rank #1 in Google. AEO aims to be the exact answer AI reads to users. They work together — optimize for both to maximize visibility across all search channels.
Get Your AEO Score
Use SottoVox to check how visible your brand is to AI answer engines and get actionable fixes.