AEO vs SEO vs GEO: What Each One Actually Means
Three acronyms, three genuinely different objectives. Here is how they differ and where they overlap.
AEO & AI Search
SEO: rank in results
Traditional search engine optimization aims to place your page high in a list of results so a user clicks it. Success is measured in rankings, sessions, and conversions from those sessions.
AEO: be the answer
Answer Engine Optimization aims for your content to be extracted and displayed as the answer itself, in featured snippets, People Also Ask, voice results, and AI answer cards. Success is measured in extraction frequency, and sometimes it reduces clicks while increasing visibility.
GEO: be the recommendation
Generative Engine Optimization aims for language models to cite and recommend your brand when answering questions in your category. Success is measured in citation share across platforms.
How they interact
They are layered, not competing. Traditional ranking authority feeds AI citation. Answer structure feeds both snippet extraction and model retrieval. Doing all three well requires one coherent content strategy rather than three separate programmes.
Key takeaways
- SEO targets clicks, AEO targets extraction, GEO targets citation
- They layer on one another rather than competing
- Traditional authority feeds AI citation directly
- One coherent content strategy serves all three
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