So, the good news is that Skynet didn’t materialize in 2025. In other news, generative AI still changed the game. As we head into the last quarter of this year, we’re learning about and helping our clients optimize for the next new thing: AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).

You’ve heard of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and AEO is very similar with a few key differences. In short: SEO helps you rank in search. AEO helps you get mentioned by AI. AEO qualified leads are also far more valuable than SEO qualified leads.

While the two are closely related, they describe different parts of the same evolution in how people find information online. SEO is about ranking in search engines. AEO is about ranking within Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexcity and Claude, which are quickly becoming people’s go-to tools for finding answers.

What’s the Difference Between SEO and AEO?

Everything you do for SEO still applies to AEO. Think keywords, site speed, backlinks and content structure. That being said, AEO demands more.

In SEO, you win if your website shows up first in a Google search. In AEO, you win if your business gets mentioned multiple times across the internet — in blogs, podcasts, Reddit threads, YouTube videos, Wikipedia pages and reputable news outlets.

When Large Language Models generate responses, they pull from the most trusted, cited and authoritative sources. The more your brand appears across the web, the more likely you’ll be included in an AI-generated answer. A recent study from SEMrush found that AI-driven visitors are up to 4.4x more valuable than traditional organic searchers.  

As search behavior changes, so should your strategy. Now is the time to optimize for AI visibility!

AEO is about being referenced everywhere — not just ranked somewhere. So what are the best ways to get ranked in AI search?

Large language models prioritize authority, so it starts there:

• Create short videos and distribute on YouTube and Vimeo.
  
  
• Backlinking – Get mentioned and linked by high-authority sites (.edu, .gov, industry publications).
  
  
• Question Research - Go beyond keywords and think about mid-tail and long-tail keywords. Build out follow-up questions your audience will be asking and build those into your content.
  
  
• Content Pillars – Build deep, organized topic clusters on your website that show expertise.
  
  
• Wikipedia – Having a legitimate, well-sourced Wikipedia page can dramatically boost authority signals.
  
  
• Off-Site Mentions – Appear in podcasts, blogs, Reddit discussions, YouTube videos and news articles.
  
  

When LLMs deliver information, they look first to sources that appear in multiple high-authority spaces. The more credible your presence, the more likely your business is surfaced in AI-generated summaries. SEO builds your foundation. AEO earns your authority.

Don’t take this as a cue to prompt AI to write a bunch of explainer content for your website.

Even though AI tools can generate endless content, AI-generated content doesn’t help your visibility in Large Language Models. LLM’s prioritize original, human-created content that adds genuine value.

LLMs are trained to detect and downrank AI-written material because it’s often repetitive or derivative. If you’re interested in more about why LLMs downrank AI-generated content, do some reading about model collapse.

If your website relies heavily on AI-generated blogs, copy, or imagery, it could actually hurt your AEO performance. Instead, invest in authentic writing, design, and video — content that shows clear expertise and creativity.

Get Your Free SEO + AEO Audit

You’ve already laid the groundwork by optimizing for SEO. Now, take the next step toward future-proofing your digital presence.

AKC Marketing offers free SEO and AEO audits for your business. We’ll analyze your site’s current visibility, and if you’re interested, work with you to optimize your site for LLMs!

Get started by emailing content@akcmarketing.com!