SEO vs AEO vs GEO:

Because of the changes in the end-users’ search behaviors and queries, three online visibility concepts appeared, namely SEO, AEO, and GEO. SEO, AEO, and GEO denote three different concepts, each of which allows organizations to optimize their content so that their web pages appear on the first pages of the search results fragment. Each concept is optimized differently, and the optimization practices should be adjusted according to their characteristics. The current article aims to disclose the differences between SEO, AEO, and GEO, highlight their primary focus, area of interest, objective, and target audience, and determine which optimization practices to choose.

What Is SEO?

SEO Definition:

SEO or Search Engine Optimization denotes optimization practices that allow a web page appear on the first pages of organic SERP (search engine results page). In other words, if you want your web page to appear on the first page of Google search results for “content marketing”, then you need to resort to SEO optimization practices. An SEO specialist will optimize the page so that it appears in the organic SERP and provides the searcher with the required information. The key objective of SEO is to improve a page’s appearance in the organic SERP. The following SEO optimization practices are typically applied:

• Keyword and on-page SEO optimization,

• Title optimization,

• Description optimization,

• Improving website’s performance,

• Link building,

• Image optimization,

• Technical SEO,

• Optimizing a website so that it appears on mobile devices,

• Local SEO optimization,

• Link building, etc.

Therefore, in case you are going to hire an SEO specialist, you should definitely take a closer look at our SEO guide .

What Is AEO?

AEO Definition:

AEO or Answer Engine Optimization denotes optimization practices that allow a web page’s content be discovered by answer engines. Unlike SEO, AEO presupposes that the content is attractive to answer engines. For instance, if Alexa is asked “what is digital marketing”, she will be able to provide an answer retrieved from a specific document optimized for answer engines. Thanks to AEO optimization services, it is possible to optimize content so that it is discovered by answer engines. In other words, the content should meet the requirements so that answer engines add it to their database so that the searchers can later find it. For instance, in order to optimize content for answer engines, it should be presented in Q&A so that answer engines could retrieve answers to specific questions.

AEO SEO services usually comprise,

• Adding FAQs

• Answering questions

• Aresenting the information in a structured manner

• Defining terms

• Applying schema markup

• Aresenting the information in a logical manner

• Answering related questions

• Providing answers in natural language

• Etc.

Therefore, AEO optimization practices allow meeting the end-users’ desire to receive direct and specific answers to their questions.

What Is GEO?

GEO Definition:

GEO or Generative Engine Optimization denotes optimization practices that allow a web page’s content be discovered by generative search engines. Unlike traditional search engines, generative search engines apply artificial intelligence technologies to provide end-users with answers to their queries. For instance, while traditional search engines would respond to the query “what are the best digital marketing agencies in Thanjavur for small businesses”, generative search engines would provide end-users with a block of answers along with a list of reliable sources of information on this topic. In other words, the key objective of generative engine optimization is to position a web page so that it is discovered and applied by generative search engines. In other words, generative search engine optimization allows ensuring that a web page’s content provided by a website is detected by generative search engines. To do that, an SEO specialist should publish high-quality content optimized for AI-powered search engines. Unlike traditional SEO optimization practices, generative search engine optimization presupposes positioning of content according to the requirements of artificial intelligence search engines. Traditional SEO practices are aimed at optimizing content so that it appears in the results provided by traditional search engines, whereas generative search engine optimization presupposes relying on such search engines. GEO optimization services comprise

• Publishing high-quality content

• Proving expertise

• Citing reliable sources

• Providing accurate information about one’s company

• Giving detailed information

• Building one’s brand image

• Mentioning on other websites

• Enabling easy scanning and reading by AI, etc.

Therefore, GEO SEO optimization services complement traditional SEO optimization practices as they allow positioning of content in front of generative search engines. In other words, traditional SEO services and GEO services are two sides of the same coin.

SEO vs AEO vs GEO: What Are the Differences?

Having defined SEO, AEO, and GEO, it is time to move to the next step in the analysis and discuss their differences. The table below contains the key distinction criteria and contrast the concepts in terms of the primary focus, the area of interest, objective, and target audience.

Main focus Area of interest Objective Primary audience:

1. SEO Search engines Traditional search results Get higher rankings in search results Users:
2. AEO Answer engines Answer engines Provide direct answers to users’ questions Answer engines:
3. GEO Generative search engines Generative search engines Get referenced by generative search engines Users

According to the table above, it is possible to conclude that SEO, AEO, and GEO have different objectives and focus on different areas of online visibility. Specifically, SEO practices are aimed at traditional search engines and are focused on getting websites ranked higher in the organic SERP. Unlike SEO, AEO optimization practices are focused on answer engines and are aimed at providing direct answers to the questions posed by the searchers. The key objective of leveraging GEO optimization services is to get referenced by generative search engines. Although the three online visibility concepts are different, they are not mutually exclusive, and one should consider relying on them in order to maximize the efficacy of SEO. Specifically, resorting to SEO, AEO, and GEO optimization practices allows maximizing the visibility of content in the results delivered by traditional search engines as well as getting it referenced by answer and generative search engines.

SEO, AEO, and GEO Example:

In order to understand how SEO, AEO, and GEO optimization practices work, it is necessary to consider an example. For instance, if your organization owns a dental clinic and has published an article “how often should you visit a dentist”, then this article could be optimized in accordance with SEO, AEO, and GEO optimization practices. First, the article could be optimized in accordance with traditional SEO optimization practices. Second, the article could be optimized for answer engines. Google and other search engines are constantly changing in order to meet the expectations of end-users. Therefore, SEO optimization is now completely out-of-date, being replaced by another concept known as AEO.

How Often Should People Visit the Dentist? Essay

Most people should visit dental clinics at least two times a year, but how often should they do it according to how they care for their teeth? A dentist should give an individual recommendation following an oral examination. This paragraph could also comprise related questions, e.g., When should children visit a dentist?, How often should I get my teeth cleaned?, What are the signs that I need to see dentist?, etc. Third, the article should be optimized for generative search engines. In order to optimize the article for generative search engines, it should be easy to scan and for AI to extract the required information from it.

As could be seen from the example above, the same article could be optimized for traditional search engines, answer engines, and generative search engines in order to improve its visibilWhen Should You Prioritize SEO?

As mentioned above, SEO optimization practices are intended to improve a website’s visibility in the organic SERP. SEO is a powerful and cost-effective digital marketing practice that allows organizations build sustainable traffic and authority, as well as improve website visibility. You should prioritize SEO if

• Your customers rely on search engines to find products/services,

• You need to build sustainable authority,

• Your business needs local leads;

• Your competitors utilize local SEO to promote their services/products.

For instance, local SEO optimization should be prioritized by a local restaurant so that it appears in the search results for queries related to the best local places to eat. By contrast, a digital marketing agency should prioritize local SEO to appear in the search results for queries related to SEO services in (location).When Should You Prioritize AEO?

Unlike SEO, AEO optimization practices are aimed at improving content discoverability by answer engines. You should prioritize AEO optimization services if

• Your customers ask many questions,

• You need to target long-tail questions,

• Your audience utilizes voice search, you want to get the most out of FAQs,

• Your customers ask questions before buying, etc.

AEO SEO optimization services are particularly relevant to service-based organizations since their clients usually ask questions prior to buying services.

When Should You Prioritize GEO?

GEO SEO optimization practices should be prioritized if,

• Your audience utilizes AI search assistants,

• You want to build your reputation,

• You want to participate in information economy,

• You are mentioned by other websites,

• You have unique research, guides, and other content, etc.

GEO optimization practices are beneficial to those who want to participate in information economy and get referenced by generative search engines. In other words, GEO SEO services complement traditional SEO optimization practices, and you should prioritize leveraging them if you want to get discovered by artificial intelligence. If you want to learn more about related optimization practices, you should definitely take a closer look at our digital marketing resources page.

Should You Choose Between SEO, AEO, and GEO?

As stated at the beginning of the article, SEO, AEO, and GEO should be combined to get the best value out of SEO. However, there might be cases when you will have to choose between SEO, AEO, and GEO optimization practices due to limited resources and the possibility to focus on one optimization strategy. Nonetheless, it is better to leverage the benefits of all three digital visibility concepts and optimize content in accordance with SEO, AEO, and GEO practices. In other words, you should optimize content for search engines and make it attractive to answer and generative engines. For instance, optimizing one article in accordance with SEO practices will help get it ranked higher in the search results, whereas AEO and GEO optimization practices will help get this article included in the answers provided by answer engines and referenced by generative search engines. In other words, one SEO article could be optimized for multiple purposes so that it appears in the search results and is leveraged by answer and generative engines, thus increasing website traffic and visibility. On the other hand, you should remember that SEO, AEO, and GEO practices should be used separately in order to achieve the best results.