What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring content so AI answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude can extract a direct, correct answer to a user's question and cite your site as the source.

Updated July 1, 2026

How AEO differs from SEO

Traditional SEO optimises for a ranked list of blue links. AEO optimises for a single generated answer. That shifts the target from keyword position to being the passage an LLM chooses to quote. Structured data, question-based headings, and short factual openings do the heavy lifting.

The four inputs AI engines use

1) A crawlable, fast page. 2) A clear question in an H1 or H2 heading. 3) A 40-80 word direct answer within the first 200 words. 4) Supporting schema (FAQPage, HowTo, Article) and entity signals (sameAs, author, organization).

How to measure it

Track brand mentions inside ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews for your target prompts. Use our AI Citation Tracker tool to log which engines cite you and which cite competitors.

Want to be the answer AI cites?

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