AEO vs SEO vs GEO: What's the Difference?

These three terms get used loosely. Here is the clear version.

SEO, AEO and GEO

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): optimizing to rank higher in a list of links on search engines like Google.
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): optimizing to be named or cited inside an AI's answer — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Gemini.
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): the term many English-speaking marketers use for the same idea as AEO.

AEO and GEO are the same goal

Different words, same aim: be surfaced by generative AI. Use whichever term your audience uses — include both for discoverability.

How AEO differs from SEO

SEO optimizes for a ranking algorithm ordering links, then a human clicks. AEO optimizes for a language model deciding whom to cite, and the user often never sees a link. SEO rewards keywords, backlinks, page authority. AEO rewards machine-readable structure (schema.org), explicit signals (llms.txt), AI-crawler access, and clear, extractable facts.

Do you need both?

Yes. Good SEO still helps — AI often draws on well-ranked, trusted pages. But SEO alone no longer guarantees you're in the answer. AEO adds the layer that lets AI read and cite you. What is AEO?

FAQ

Is AEO replacing SEO?

Adding to it, not replacing. Search isn't disappearing; AI answers are a new, fast-growing layer on top.

Should I say AEO or GEO?

Same thing. GEO is more common in English SEO circles; AEO is descriptive. Use both.

Where do I start?

Make sure AI can read your site — structure, llms.txt, crawler access — then measure whether you appear. AEO for WordPress