GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): Optimizing for standalone AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini app)
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Optimizing for AI-enhanced search (Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, featured snippets)
In practice, they're 90% the same tactics. Don't overthink the terminology.
Why This Matters More Than Paid Ads Right Now
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Brands cited in AI responses | +35% organic CTR, +91% paid CTR |
| Brands NOT cited | -65% CTR decline |
| AI search ad market growth | $1.1B (2025) → $26B (2029) = 23x |
| AI-referred sessions growth (Jan-May 2025) | +527% |
| % of Americans using AI search for purchases | 71% |
If you're not being cited, you're invisible. No amount of paid ads fixes that.
The 8 Tactics That Actually Work
1. Structure content for extraction
First 40-60 words should directly answer the question. AI pulls from the opening.
2. Add statistics every 150-200 words
Fact density matters. AI cites content with verifiable data.
3. Use semantic URLs (5-7 words)
These get 11.4% more citations than generic URLs.
4. Create listicles
25%+ of all AI citations come from list-format content.
5. Build authority signals
Expert author bios, backlinks from authoritative domains, consistent brand mentions.
6. Implement schema markup
FAQPage, HowTo, Product, Article schemas help AI parse your content.
7. Get on Wikipedia and Reddit
ChatGPT cites Wikipedia 48% of the time. Perplexity cites Reddit 47%.
8. Monitor AI sentiment
Track HOW AI describes your brand, not just IF it mentions you.
The GEO/AEO Service Stack
What to sell clients:
- •AI Visibility Audit: Where do they appear (and not appear) in AI responses?
- •Share of Voice tracking: What % of relevant AI answers mention them vs. competitors?
- •Content restructuring: Rewrite key pages for AI extraction
- •Schema implementation: Technical markup for AI crawlers
- •Wikipedia/Reddit strategy: Build presence on cited platforms
- •Sentiment monitoring: Track brand perception in AI responses
Tools
- •Profound ($35M Series B from Sequoia): Tracks 10+ AI engines
- •Goodie AI: End-to-end AEO platform ($495/mo)
- •HubSpot AI Search Grader: Free brand visibility check
- •Writesonic: AI visibility tracking
- •BrightEdge Prism: Enterprise SEO-to-AEO bridge
Pricing Guidance
GEO/AEO audit: $2,000-5,000 one-time
Monthly optimization: $3,000-10,000/mo
Full-service (content + technical + monitoring): $10,000-25,000/mo
