The question every business owner is asking right now: will AI SEO, or GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation), or AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) replace SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)?
The short answer is no. But AI is changing the search marketing world forever, and that’s where these acronyms or buzzwords come into play. The reality? AI SEO, GEO, and AEO aren’t replacements for SEO. They’re simply the next evolution of it.
If you understand traditional SEO: speed, structure, strategy — then you already have the foundation for AI SEO, GEO, and AEO.
What Is AI SEO?
AI SEO refers to optimizing your website for AI-powered search engines and AI-driven results.
Think about how people now use tools like:
- Google’s AI Overviews (direct AI answers in search results)
- ChatGPT and Gemini (AI assistants with browsing capabilities)
- Perplexity.ai (an AI search engine that cites sources directly)
These systems don’t replace Google. They feed on Google and other indexes. And they only pull answers from websites that are already fast, structured, and authoritative. (Google’s E.E.A.T still matters)
If your site isn’t SEO-optimized, AI tools won’t see you.
👉 AI SEO = making your website visible to both search engines and AI engines.
Key factors include:
- Website speed (AI prefers fast-loading sites)
- Clear, helpful content (optimized around intent, not just keywords)
- Structured data (schema markup helps Google AI understand your content)
What Is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?
GEO is the practice of ensuring that generative AI systems use your site as a trusted source when they build answers.
When someone asks an AI assistant for “the best online payment portal for B2B” or “SEO consultant in Cape Town,” the engine doesn’t generate information out of thin air. It pulls from published, optimized sources.
If your business doesn’t have:
- Authoritative content
- Clear topical relevance
- Backlinks or brand credibility
…you’ll be basically invisible.
👉 GEO = building the authority signals that get you cited in AI answers.
This means that high-quality blogs, thought-leadership content, and even customer reviews are more valuable than ever before.
What Is AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)?
AEO is about getting your site featured in direct answers — whether from AI Overviews, featured snippets, or voice search.
Customers no longer want to scroll through endless results. They want an instant answer.
Optimizing for AEO means:
- Adding FAQ sections
- Using schema markup like
FAQPageandHowTo - Writing concise, scannable answers to common customer questions
- Formatting content with headings, bullet points, and summaries
👉 AEO = positioning your content to win the “zero-click” answers.
If your site provides the clearest, best-structured answer, both Google and AI will reward you.
Why it’s all just SEO
Here’s the truth the industry doesn’t want you to forget:
- These acronyms are not new disciplines.
- They’re simply new labels for the natural evolution of search.
When you do search engine optimisation correctly, you’re already:
- Optimizing your site for AI-powered results (AIO)
- Building authority to get cited in generative answers (GEO)
- Structuring your content for fast, clear answers (AEO)
Great SEO has always been about speed, structure, and strategy.
Backlinko Source Overview
Article: SEO vs. GEO, AEO, LLMO: What Marketers Need to Know
Key quote:“Naturally, people call things different names as they try to differentiate themselves from traditional SEO” Backlinko
The Bottom Line
AI is not replacing SEO. It’s making SEO more important than ever.
If you want your business to:
- Show up in Google’s AI Overviews
- Get cited in AI-driven search engines
- Win direct answers and featured snippets
Then you need strong SEO fundamentals in place.
Investing in SEO today means you’re automatically investing in AI SEO, GEO, and AEO. The buzzwords will come and go, but the strategy remains the same: help search engines and AI find, understand, and trust your website.
That’s how you future-proof your business.
And the best way to ensure that happens is through monthly SEO.
