Question 1

What is the main difference between SEO and AEO?

Accepted Answer

The main difference lies in the goal. SEO (Search Engine Optimization ) aims to rank your website high on a list of search results, encouraging a user to click a link. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) aims to make your business the direct answer to a user's question within an AI chat interface, often without requiring a click at all. SEO gets you on the list; AEO makes you the chosen one.

Question 2

Can I do AEO without doing SEO?

Accepted Answer

You can, but it's like building a house with no foundation. A strong SEO profile—including a technically sound website, good domain authority, and quality backlinks—provides the credibility and trust signals that AI engines rely on. AEO builds on this foundation to translate your authority into direct answers. For maximum dominance, a dual-threat strategy is essential.

Question 3

What are the most important factors for AEO?

Accepted Answer

The most critical factors for AEO include: 1) Entity Trust (E-E-A-T): Proving your Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness through high-quality content, reviews, and citations. 2) Structured Data (Schema Markup): Labeling your website's content so AI can easily understand what you do, where you are, and what you offer. 3) Conversational Content: Creating content that directly answers the questions your customers are asking, formatted in a natural, Q&A style. 4) Local Authority: Building strong, consistent signals of your relevance within a specific geographic area. 5) Behavioral Signals: Demonstrating that real users find your content valuable and engaging.

Question 4

How is AEO measured?

Accepted Answer

AEO is measured by your AI Visibility Score. This is calculated by testing a set of relevant, high-intent queries across major AI platforms (like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity) and measuring the percentage of times your business is cited as the answer. A higher score directly correlates to more AI-driven recommendations.

Question 5

Why is being an early adopter of AEO so important?

Accepted Answer

Being an early adopter is crucial because AI engines are currently in a learning phase. By establishing your brand as the most reliable answer now, you are embedding your authority into their foundational knowledge. This creates a long-lasting competitive advantage that becomes exponentially harder for competitors to overcome later. You are claiming the most valuable digital real estate for your industry and location.

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