SEO optimizes to rank links in traditional search engines. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) optimizes to be cited as the answer by AI answer engines. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) optimizes to be surfaced inside generative AI answers. They share foundations, and most businesses now need all three.
The short version
SEO = rank a link. AEO = be the cited answer. GEO = be named in generative AI answers.
Why all three matter
Customers now search across Google, answer engines, and AI assistants. Covering one channel leaves the others to competitors.
How they overlap
All three reward clarity, structure, trustworthy content, and a strong entity. SEO is the shared foundation.
What to prioritize
Get SEO foundations right, add answer structure and schema for AEO, and build entity and references for GEO.
When to get help
Bringing all three together across a site and multiple brands is where strategy pays off.
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Frequently asked questions
Increasingly yes — they cover different but overlapping discovery channels.
SEO foundations first; AEO and GEO build on them.
They're real shifts in how people discover businesses, though the labels are new.
Yes — that's exactly the combined approach I take.