TL;DR
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is optimizing content so generative search and AI answer engines treat it as a trustworthy source to cite; AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is producing clear answer units an engine can lift directly. Where traditional SEO targets link visibility, GEO/AEO target citation and summari…
Key facts
- GEO is the practice of optimizing structure, evidence, and machine-readable surfaces so generative and AI answer engines treat content as a trustworthy citable source. (owned-source, 2026-07-01)
- AEO is the practice of producing clear answer units (definitions, claims, FAQs) an answer engine can lift directly. (owned-source, 2026-07-01)
- Where traditional SEO targets link visibility, GEO/AEO target citation and summarization inside AI answers. (owned-source, 2026-07-01)
- In GEO/AEO, evidence labeling — source, confidence, last_verified — becomes a core asset. (owned-source, 2026-07-01)
- AUTHON serves each article as llm.md, answer.json, facts.json, and schema.jsonld for GEO/AEO. (owned-source, 2026-07-01)
Key relationships
- GEO optimizes citability in generative engines
- AEO produces answer units for answer engines
- GEO/AEO differs from traditional SEO (link visibility)
What GEO/AEO are
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): optimizing structure, evidence, and machine-readable surfaces so engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Naver treat content as a citable source.
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): producing clear answer units (definitions, claims, FAQs) an answer engine can take directly.
Difference from SEO
Traditional SEO optimizes link visibility on result pages. GEO/AEO target citation and summarization inside the AI-generated answer, making source, confidence, and evidence the core assets.