Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is quickly becoming a must for brands looking to stay visible in the growing AI-powered search landscape. In this guide, we’ll explore what AEO SEO is, why it matters, and how brands can take action today to ensure you are ahead of the curve.
What is Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)?
Answer Engine Optimisation is the process of structuring content in a way that helps AI-powered search tools, like Google’s AI Mode, ChatGPT, and voice assistants, understand and serve your answers directly to users. AEO focuses on clarity, structure, and authority, helping your content become the chosen response for search queries, even when there’s no traditional click involved, hence the phrase I’m sure you’re hearing a lot, “Zero-click” search.
What is the difference between AEO and SEO optimisation?
While SEO and AEO work together, it’s clear that they have different goals and techniques. SEO aims to improve ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs), while AEO targets visibility in AI-generated answers and voice search. Here’s a snapshot at how they compare:
| Feature | Traditional SEO | Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) |
| Goal | Improve SERP rankings | Become the direct answer to a query |
| Focus | Keywords, links, technical setup | Clarity, context, structured data |
| User Interaction | Click-throughs to website | Instant answers, no click needed |
| Primary Tools | Search engines like Google, Bing | AI tools, voice assistants, chatbots |
| Success Measurement | Organic traffic, rankings | Featured snippets, zero-click results |
What are the benefits of AEO?
The benefits of AEO are simple, clear and swiftly growing in importance to brands who want to stay ahead. AEO offers distinct advantages for businesses ready to evolve their search strategies, here’s the top ones:
- Greater visibility: Your brand becomes more discoverable across a wider range of platforms and AI-powered tools.
- Voice search readiness: AEO aligns well with voice search trends, helping you appear in spoken answers.
- Enhanced authority: Structured and well-presented content builds credibility with both users and algorithms.
- Future-proofing your search presence: As search behaviour shifts, AEO keeps you relevant in zero-click and conversational search environments.
Looking to enhance your visibility in AI-powered search? Explore our expert SEO services.
Best practices and strategies for Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)
To succeed with AEO, your approach needs to be as smart as the engines you’re optimising for. From content structure to technical enhancements, applying the right strategies can dramatically improve your visibility in AI-powered results. Below, we’ve outlined the key best practices to help you succeed.
Content structure
Create content with clear, question-and-answer formatting. Use headers (H2, H3), bullet points, and concise responses to make it easy for AI to extract answers.
- Use structured data (Schema.org) to mark up FAQs, how-tos, and product information.
- Include relevant keywords naturally, especially phrases users are likely to ask.
- Prioritise E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) in your content.
Technical SEO
AEO still relies on strong technical foundations:
- Optimise site speed and mobile usability.
- Ensure your site is crawlable and indexable.
- Use semantic HTML and Schema markup for context.
Building authority and backlinks
- Acquire high-quality backlinks from relevant sources.
- Build topical authority by covering subjects in depth across your site.
- Ensure author profiles are visible and trustworthy.
Local optimisation
- Use Google Business Profile to manage local listings.
- Include location-specific FAQs on service pages.
- Add local schema markup for better contextual signals.
Online reviews and trust signals
- Collect and respond to customer reviews on platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and Feefo.
- Showcase testimonials and ratings on your website.
- Build trust with transparent business information and contact details.
According to a 2024 report by Search Engine Journal, over 60% of AI-generated answers come from well-structured content featuring clear schema markup—underlining the importance of aligning SEO and AEO strategies.
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) FAQs
What are the most popular answer engines?
Popular answer engines include OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s AI Mode, Microsoft Copilot, and voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. These tools increasingly pull content directly from web pages to answer queries.
What are the key AEO challenges?
The main challenges include keeping up with AI search developments, structuring content for zero-click experiences, and ensuring your brand appears as a trustworthy source. Staying adaptable and regularly reviewing your SEO strategy is crucial.
What are the best AEO SEO service agencies?
The best agencies combine technical SEO with expertise in structured content, schema markup, and conversational search optimisation. At Found, we specialise in performance-led SEO and AEO strategies to help brands thrive in the AI-driven search world.
Ready to future-proof your search strategy? Talk to our SEO team today.
