SEO, AEO and GEO explained: getting found on Google and AI search

People now find businesses in three ways: classic Google results, direct answers, and AI assistants. SEO, AEO and GEO are the three ways to show up in each.

SEO — search engine optimisation

SEO helps your pages rank in normal Google and Bing results.

• Useful pages for each service and location
• Clear titles, descriptions and headings
• Fast, mobile-friendly, secure website
• Links from other trusted websites

AEO — answer engine optimisation

AEO helps your content appear as a direct answer — in featured snippets, "People also ask" boxes and voice assistants.

• Start each page or article with a short, clear answer
• Use question-style headings
• Add FAQs with direct answers
• Use structured data such as FAQ and article schema

GEO — generative engine optimisation

GEO helps AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity understand and mention your business when people ask for recommendations.

• Clear facts about who you are, what you do and where
• Consistent details across your website and profiles
• Helpful, original articles that AI can cite
• An llms.txt file that summarises your business for AI tools
• Mentions and reviews on trusted sites

How they work together

Good SEO is the foundation. AEO makes your answers easy to quote. GEO makes your business easy for AI to trust and recommend. The same habits — clear, honest, helpful content — help all three.

A simple plan

1. Create one strong page per service and per city
2. Add a short answer and FAQs to each
3. Publish helpful articles regularly
4. Keep your Google Business Profile active — see local SEO
5. Check results in Google Search Console

Frequently asked questions

### Does AEO and GEO replace SEO? No. They build on SEO.

### Can I see if AI mentions my business? Ask AI assistants the questions your customers ask and see what they say.

Want to be found on Google and AI search? See our SEO & marketing service or request a free quote.