AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)

Optimizing for AI-powered search like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude. As more people ask AI instead of Googling, your content needs to be structured for AI retrieval.

Key Concept: Mentions Over Citations

Traditional SEO focuses on backlinks. AEO focuses on getting mentioned in AI responses. AI models learn from the web—if your content consistently explains a topic well, you become the source AI references.

Structure for AI

Dense interconnections help. A The Marketing Show with genuine links between concepts creates the kind of authoritative structure AI can parse and reference. Not keyword stuffing—actual topical depth.

Overlap with SEO

Good SEO practices still apply. Clear structure, thorough coverage, expertise signals. AEO isn't a replacement—it's an additional layer as search evolves.