AEO vs SEO
Answer Engine Optimization vs Search Engine Optimization — what's the difference and why you need both
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
•Optimizes for Google search result pages
•Goal: rank in top 10 blue links
•Key factor: backlinks + content quality
•Competition: 10 spots on page 1
•Timeline: 3-12 months
•User clicks through to your website
•Established practice since 1990s
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
•Optimizes for AI recommendations (ChatGPT, Google AI, Perplexity)
•Goal: get recommended by name by AI
•Key factor: structured data + schema + authority
•Competition: 2-3 names per query
•Timeline: 30-90 days for initial visibility
•User may never visit your website — AI sends them directly
•Emerging practice, massive first-mover advantage
Our Verdict
You need both. SEO captures traditional search traffic. AEO ensures AI recommends you. But with 73% of young consumers using AI to find services, AEO is becoming the higher-impact channel. Start with AEO for quick wins, build SEO for long-term authority.