GEO vs AEO: Do you need both?

VisibilitySales
Written By Phill Maddick

Search is changing fast. Businesses aren’t just competing for rankings anymore, they’re competing for visibility inside AI-driven answers.

That’s where two newer approaches come in: Generative Search Optimisation (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO). They sound similar, but they solve different problems. Understanding how they work and when to use both, will help you stay visible as search continues to evolve.

What is GEO?

Generative Search Optimisation (GEO) is about preparing your content for AI-driven search experiences. Tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and ChatGPT use large language models (LLMs) to generate answers. GEO makes sure your content is structured in a way that those models can find and use.

Core elements of GEO:

  • Clear headings and page structure.

  • Schema markup to explain content type.

  • FAQs and direct answers to common questions.

  • Writing that’s clear, scannable, and free from jargon.

Want to know if your site is GEO-ready?
Run a free check with our GEO Tool and get instant insights into your AI search visibility.

What is AEO?

Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is about making sure your content shows up in direct answers, think featured snippets, knowledge panels, and voice search responses. It’s focused on answering specific user questions quickly and clearly.

Core elements of AEO:

  • Short, direct answers to common questions.

  • Well-structured FAQs.

  • Schema markup for Q&A and How-To content.

  • Optimising for voice search and conversational queries.

GEO vs AEO: The key differences

1. Focus

  • GEO = visibility in generative search and AI-driven results.

  • AEO = visibility in direct answers and featured snippets.

2. User intent

  • GEO = preparing content for how LLMs interpret and generate responses.

  • AEO = optimising for precise Q&A style responses.

3. Outcomes

  • GEO = long-term adaptability in AI-first search.

  • AEO = immediate visibility in answer boxes and voice search.

Do you need both?

In most cases, yes. They work best together:

  • If your content is well-structured for GEO, it’s more likely to feed into generative AI answers.

  • If it’s optimised for AEO, it’s more likely to appear in featured snippets and answer boxes.

  • Together, they maximise your visibility across both traditional and emerging search experiences.

How to combine GEO and AEO

Structure content with both in mind use H2s and H3s for questions, and write short, direct answers below them.

  • Add schema markup – FAQPage and HowTo for AEO; Article or LocalBusiness for GEO.

  • Audit regularly – check which pages already appear in snippets and which have the potential to be picked up by generative search.

Practical summary

AEO makes sure your content gets picked up in direct answers and snippets.

  • GEO makes sure your content is usable by generative AI systems.

  • Together, they give you the best chance of staying visible today and tomorrow.

FAQs: GEO vs AEO

Is GEO just a rebrand of AEO?

No. AEO focuses on direct answers. GEO focuses on preparing your content for AI models that generate longer responses. They overlap, but they are not the same.

Can I succeed with AEO alone?

You might win snippets, but you’ll miss out on generative visibility. GEO prepares you for both current and future search.

What’s the easiest way to start with GEO?

Focus on FAQs, headings, and schema markup. Then run your site through the GEO Audit Tool to see where you stand.

 

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Phill Maddick
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