Guide
SEO, AEO and GEO are three ways to optimize your visibility: in search results, in direct answers and in generative AI answers.
Updated:
Short answer
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) aims to rank your site in search results on engines like Google. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) aims to make your content the direct answer that search engines and assistants show. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) aims to get generative AI, such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, to mention and cite you in its answers.
What each discipline is, what it optimizes and how it's measured.
Search Engine Optimization
SEO is the set of practices that aim to make a site appear and rank in search results on engines like Google.
Answer Engine Optimization
AEO is the set of practices that aim to make your content the direct answer to a question, in search engines and in assistants.
Generative Engine Optimization
GEO is the set of practices that aim to get generative AI to mention and cite your brand when it answers.
The differences, side by side.
| SEO | AEO | GEO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Rank the site in search results | Be the direct answer to a question | Be mentioned and cited by generative AI |
| Where it appears | Search engine results | Featured answers and summaries in search engines and assistants | Answers from ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini |
| What is optimized | Technical, content and authority | Clear answers, FAQs and structured data | Brand mentions, cited sources and consistency |
| How it's measured | Rankings, clicks and indexing | Appearances in answers | Mention rate, position and share of voice |
| Example question | “accounting firm in Austin” | “How long does an SEO audit take?” | “Which accounting firm would you recommend in Austin?” |
They aren't alternatives. They reinforce each other.
A solid SEO base (a crawlable, fast, well-structured site) helps the other two. Many AI assistants consult the web, so an accessible, clear site makes it easier for them to use your content.
AEO contributes the direct-answer format. GEO adds your brand's presence in the sources AI consults.
FAQ
No. They complement each other. SEO remains the foundation for your site to be found and understood; GEO focuses on how generative AI mentions you.
You define a set of real questions from your industry, run them on each assistant and record whether you're mentioned, in what position and which sources they cite. Because answers vary, it's repeated and a percentage is calculated.
No. AI models change and their answers aren't up to us. Your visibility can be measured and what depends on your site and content can be improved.
It depends on the site, the search engine or assistant and the competition. That's why it's better to measure periodically instead of waiting for a fixed deadline.
It's a generative AI product you ask questions in natural language, such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.
Measure before changing. With the free check you see your mention rate in AI assistants. With the Visibility Audit you get the full diagnosis across the four areas.
