SEO AEO and GEO in practical terms
Different labels share many of the same foundations.
SEO
Search engine optimisation improves how a website can be discovered and understood in search. Work includes accessible content, internal links, technical indexing, page experience, and information that addresses a user’s need.
AEO
Answer engine optimisation focuses attention on content that can help answer a question directly. Clear explanations, accurate business information, and supported claims are useful to readers regardless of whether an answer system chooses to cite them.
GEO
Generative engine optimisation is commonly used to describe work aimed at visibility in generated responses. Its meaning varies across providers and practitioners. Treat it as a discovery objective, not a separate mechanism that guarantees inclusion.
What to prioritise
For a business website, start with the offer, evidence, service structure, and conversion path. Fix technical obstacles and keep the content accurate. Google states that its AI search features do not require special optimisation beyond established fundamentals; other platforms may have different discovery systems.
What to avoid
Do not promise rankings or citations, add unsupported structured data, or treat a new file or schema as a shortcut to authority. Measure relevant visibility and qualified enquiries rather than relying on the terminology alone.
Source
Google Search Central, AI features and your website. Reviewed 11 October 2026.