- SEO earns rankings in search results.
- AEO earns quoted answers in snippets and assistants.
- GEO earns mentions inside AI-generated summaries.
- Strong SEO is the foundation for both AEO and GEO.
Three definitions in plain English
- 01 SEO, Search Engine OptimizationHelping your pages rank in Google and Bing results.
- 02 AEO, Answer Engine OptimizationStructuring content so answer boxes and assistants quote it directly.
- 03 GEO, Generative Engine OptimizationMaking your brand and facts likely to appear in AI-generated answers.
How they compare
What to prioritise first
Start with SEO foundations, a fast, crawlable site with clear pages for each service. Then add AEO: question-led sections with direct answers and FAQ schema. GEO follows naturally when your business facts are consistent across your site and listings.
You don’t need three separate providers. One well-structured site can serve all three.
Frequently asked questions
SEO helps pages rank in search results, AEO helps content be quoted as a direct answer, and GEO helps your brand appear in AI-generated summaries.
They build on SEO. Adding answer-first content, FAQ schema and consistent business data extends your visibility into AI answers.
They overlap. AEO focuses on being quoted as an answer; GEO focuses on being mentioned in generated responses.
SEO foundations first, then AEO, both can be built into the same website.
