AEO, GEO and SEO: how they differ and why you need all three

Three acronyms get thrown around as if you have to pick one. You do not. Answer engine optimisation is about being the source a direct answer pulls from. Generative engine optimisation is about visibility inside generative results more broadly. SEO is still the work of being findable and ranking in classic results.

They share most of their inputs: useful content, clear structure, a recognisable entity, links and mentions from trusted sources. The clearest side by side comparison of where they diverge is in this breakdown of AEO versus GEO versus SEO.

In practice you do the same core work and then weight the details toward wherever your audience actually is: the answer box, the chat interface, or the ten blue links.