Answer engine optimisation (AEO) is the practice of structuring content so it can be used as a direct answer by search features, voice assistants and AI chatbots. Where traditional SEO aims for a ranked link, AEO aims to be the answer itself. It overlaps heavily with generative engine optimisation, and many people use the terms interchangeably.
What counts as an answer engine?
- Google featured snippets, People Also Ask and AI Overviews.
- Voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa.
- AI chatbots and AI search engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Copilot.
AEO vs SEO vs GEO
- SEO: rank pages in search results and earn clicks.
- AEO: become the concise answer to a specific question.
- GEO: be cited and recommended within AI-generated answers.
They share the same foundations: crawlable pages, useful content and trust. AEO adds a focus on format and precision.
How to optimise for answer engines
1. Find the questions
Collect questions from People Also Ask, forums, customer emails and keyword tools. Questions with “what”, “how”, “why”, “can” and “best” are prime targets.
2. Use question headings
Put the exact question in an H2 or H3. See header tags.
3. Answer in the first sentence
Give a direct answer in 40 to 60 words immediately below the heading, then expand. Define terms with “X is…”.
4. Format for extraction
Use numbered steps for processes, bullet lists for options and tables for comparisons.
5. Be specific and factual
Include numbers, dates, prices and named sources. Vague answers are rarely chosen.
6. Add structured data
Markup such as HowTo, Product, Organization and Article helps machines understand your content. See schema markup.
7. Build trust
Answer engines prefer sources with clear authorship and strong E-E-A-T signals.
Voice search tips
Voice queries are longer and conversational, and assistants usually read one answer. Short, natural-sounding answers, local details and fast-loading pages give you the best chance.
Measuring AEO
Track featured snippets and People Also Ask appearances in rank trackers, monitor AI citations with prompt testing, and watch for growth in impressions for question queries in Search Console.
Frequently asked questions
Does AEO reduce website traffic?
Simple answers may not earn clicks, but they build brand awareness and trust for later searches.
Is AEO a new discipline?
It is a new name for a long-standing practice of optimising for direct answers.
Related terms
See featured snippets, AI Overviews and the SEO encyclopedia.
Mr. SEO
Mr. SEO is the webmaster at SEO TT - SEO tips and tricks, a publication about all things SEO related.