SEO vs AEO vs GEO: How to Get Found on Google and ChatGPT
· 8 min read · Krusam Team
Quick answer
SEO helps your pages rank in search results; AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) structures content so search engines can pull direct answers; GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) makes your brand citable by AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. In 2026 you need all three.
What each one means
- SEO: technical health, keywords, content and backlinks so pages rank
- AEO: question-led headings, concise answers, FAQ and HowTo schema for featured snippets and voice
- GEO: clear facts, original data, consistent brand mentions and crawlable pages so AI models cite you
A practical checklist
Start with these changes on your most important pages:
- Open each page with a 2–3 sentence direct answer
- Use questions as headings, and answer each immediately below
- Add Organization, Service, Product and FAQ structured data
- Allow reputable AI crawlers in robots.txt and publish an llms.txt file
- Keep your name, address and phone identical everywhere
- Publish original numbers — prices, timelines, case results
Local pages still matter
For service businesses, city and state pages with genuinely local information help both Google and AI assistants answer “best … in Hyderabad” style questions.
Frequently asked questions
Does AEO replace SEO?+
No. AEO and GEO build on SEO; pages still need to be crawlable, fast and authoritative.
How long until AI assistants cite my site?+
It varies, but well-structured, factual pages are often picked up within a few months of being indexed.
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