What is AEO and How to Optimize for Answer Engines
24/09/2025
What is AEO?
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization. It is the evolution of traditional SEO, adapted to new search experiences powered by artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, Google SGE (Search Generative Experience), Perplexity, and other answer engines. Instead of just listing links, these platforms aim to deliver direct answers to user questions.
Why is AEO important?
With the rise of voice search and AI tools, users no longer want to scroll through results — they want quick, direct, and reliable answers. If your business doesn’t optimize for AEO, you risk disappearing from these responses. On the other hand, optimized content ensures visibility, authority, and lead generation through new acquisition channels.
- Increased visibility: appear as a trusted source in global answer engines.
- Authority: strengthen your brand’s credibility on key topics.
- International leads: capture customers searching in multiple languages.
How does AEO work in practice?
When a user asks, for example, “What is the best platform for B2B e-commerce?”, answer engines scan structured, clear, and reliable content to respond. It’s no longer enough to rank on Google’s first page — your content must answer questions directly with clarity, context, and depth.
Strategies to optimize with AEO
AEO requires more structured and question-driven content. Here are the main strategies:
- Q&A format content: structure articles with FAQs and clear headings (H2, H3) that directly answer user questions.
- Authority and context: use data, examples, and internal links to show expertise. For example, linking to our B2B E-commerce in Shopify solution.
- Optimized structure: use lists, tables, and bullets to make content easy to scan and extract.
- Updated technical SEO: implement Schema Markup (FAQ, HowTo, Product) so engines can interpret content effectively.
- Rich media: include graphics, videos, or optimized images to increase relevance and engagement.
AEO and SEO: complementary, not competitors
SEO remains essential for Google and other search engines. AEO adds another layer, ensuring your content also appears in AI-driven answer engines. Together, both strategies strengthen your brand’s digital presence.
Practical examples of AEO
- Optimized article: “How to migrate from WordPress to Shopify” with clear steps, headings, and internal links to Replatforming to Shopify.
- Solution page: “B2C E-commerce” with FAQs on ERP integrations, SEO, and international scaling.
- Blog content: educational posts on cybersecurity, AI, and performance, answering specific user questions.
Conclusion
AEO is the future of digital optimization, focused on delivering answers rather than just driving clicks. Companies aiming for international lead generation and stronger brand authority need to adapt now. Structured, clear, and question-oriented content is the key to appearing in ChatGPT, Google SGE, and Perplexity answers. At Basicamente Digital, we help brands position themselves strategically in this new landscape.