The web moves fast. Very fast.
With the arrival of conversational agents – ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, not forgetting Google’s Search Generative Experience – online search is undergoing a minor revolution. Today, it’s not just about being found: it’s about being the answer.
This is where AEO comes in: Answer Engine Optimization.
What does this mean?
Classic SEO aims to position your site in Google. AEO, on the other hand, goes further: it aligns your content so that when a user asks a question, it is picked up by an AI.
In other words: not just appear in the results, but be cited as a source.
Why is this essential?
According to BrightEdge (2024), as many as 1 in 4 visits could soon pass through AI-boosted engines – especially in B2B, tech and e-commerce. With generative engines, a large proportion of responses are displayed directly in the interface, without additional clicks.
Moral: being present is no longer enough. You have to be understood, picked up on and broadcast.
How does an AI choose its sources?
An AI draws on billions of pages to generate its response. The clearer, more structured and credible your content, the more likely it is to stand out from the crowd.
Some essential ingredients:
- Direct, well-structured answers
- Verifiable sources
- Pedagogical, accessible tone
- Adapted formats: FAQ, “How-to”, bulleted lists, headings in the form of questions
Switching to AEO: where to start?
✅ On your website
- Work on your FAQs with clean tags and short answers.
- Rely on “Why”, ‘How’, “What is…” formats: AIs love them. formats: AIs love them.
- Integrate data schemas (FAQ, Article, HowTo).
- Show your authority: identified authors, proven expertise, quoted sources.
✅ On your social media accounts
- Share educational content: LinkedIn carousels, X threads, explanatory mini-videos.
- Seek engagement: the more your content circulates, the more it feeds AIs.
- Keep a clear editorial line aligned with your site.
💡 Reflex : Think like an AI.
“If someone asked an AI a question in my field, would my answer come out as is?”
If so: bingo.
To sum up
AEO: being found is good. Being the answer is better.
Answer Engine Optimization is your chance to stay relevant in a web where AI is becoming the first point of contact. Want to stay one step ahead? That’s what we’re here for.
👉 Want to talk about it? Let’s talk!
