What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is optimizing content to get cited by AI-powered answer engines like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity.
Unlike SEO which ranks pages in search results, AEO gets your content selected as the authoritative answer. This involves:
- Structuring content with clear question-answer formats
- Using semantic HTML and proper heading hierarchy
- Implementing Schema.org markup (like FAQPage, HowTo, Article)
- Creating authoritative, well-sourced content
- Optimizing for natural language queries
- Ensuring content can be easily parsed by AI models
The rise of AI assistants has fundamentally changed how people search for information. Rather than clicking through search results, users now expect immediate, accurate answers. AEO ensures your content becomes the source these AI systems reference and cite.
🎯 Key Components of AEO
- Semantic Structure: Use proper HTML5 tags (article, section, header) to help AI understand content hierarchy
- Schema Markup: Implement JSON-LD structured data to explicitly define content type and relationships
- Clear Answers: Provide direct, concise answers early in your content
- Authority Signals: Include citations, author credentials, and verifiable facts
- Natural Language: Write in conversational tone that matches how people ask questions
- Comprehensive Coverage: Answer related questions and provide context
- Accessibility: Ensure content is readable by both humans and AI parsers
📚 Continue Learning About AEO
Explore more guides and resources about Answer Engine Optimization.
Browse All Resources