The most common term is answer engine optimization (AEO). Some people use "generative engine optimization" (GEO) or "AI search optimization." They all describe the same goal: making sure AI assistants, including ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and Gemini, can find, understand, and recommend your business. The critical thing to understand is that AEO isn't a replacement discipline. It's an extension of SEO. The research is clear: sites that rank well organically are the ones AI models cite. Sites that don't rank don't get cited. AEO adds a layer on top of traditional SEO, including structuring your content with schema markup, building consistent entity signals across platforms, and creating citation-ready answers, but all of that sits on the foundation of good SEO. If someone sells you "AI optimization" as a standalone service without touching your organic rankings, the results are going to be thin and temporary.
SEO FAQ