SEO vs AEO: Key Differences
Understand the differences between SEO and AEO and how to optimize for both.
SEO: Search Engine Optimization
SEO optimizes for traditional search (e.g. Google): ranking in results and earning clicks. Tactics include keywords, backlinks, technical SEO, and content that matches query intent. Success = visibility in SERPs and organic traffic.
AEO: Answer Engine Optimization
AEO optimizes for AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overview): being chosen as a source for generated answers. Success = citations and attribution in AI responses, often with no click. Content must be clear, factual, and easy for models to parse and cite.
Key Differences
SEO aims for rankings and clicks; AEO aims for being used as source material. SEO leans on keywords and links; AEO leans on clarity, structure, and authority. Both benefit from strong content and good UX; AEO additionally benefits from structured data, direct answers, and FAQ-style content that AI can quote.
Optimizing for Both
Write for humans and machines: clear headings, direct answers, and schema. Cover topics thoroughly so you satisfy both SERP snippets and AI summarization. Use FAQ and Article schema; keep content accurate and well-sourced. Monitor both organic traffic and AI citations where possible.