Get Your Brand Cited in AI-Powered Search Results
The way people search is changing. ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and other AI-powered tools are answering questions directly — and they're choosing which brands to cite. If your business isn't optimised for AI search, you're invisible to a growing share of your market.
What Is AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation)?
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the practice of optimising your content to be selected and cited as an authoritative answer by AI-powered search tools. Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on ranking in a list of blue links, AEO focuses on being the source that AI models reference when they generate answers. When someone asks ChatGPT "what's the best SEO agency in Australia" or Google's AI Overview summarises "how to choose a digital marketing agency," AEO determines whether your brand gets mentioned.
What Is GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)?
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) extends AEO specifically to generative AI search engines — tools like Google's AI Overviews, Perplexity, and SearchGPT that generate synthesised answers from multiple sources. GEO focuses on the signals these AI models use to select, rank, and cite sources: content authority, structural clarity, factual density, and citation-worthiness.
Why AEO and GEO Matter Now
AI search adoption is accelerating rapidly:
- Google AI Overviews now appear at the top of search results for a growing percentage of queries, pushing traditional organic results below the fold
- ChatGPT and Perplexity are being used by millions of people as primary search tools, bypassing Google entirely for certain query types
- Zero-click searches are increasing — users get their answer directly from AI without visiting any website
- Brand citation in AI results is becoming a new form of visibility that traditional SEO alone doesn't guarantee
Businesses that optimise for AI search now will have a significant first-mover advantage. Those that wait will find it increasingly difficult to earn visibility in AI-generated results.
Our AEO & GEO Services
AI Search Visibility Audit
We assess your current visibility across AI search platforms — Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and others. Where are you being cited? Where are your competitors being cited? Where are the gaps?
Content Structuring for AI Citation
We restructure your content to maximise the likelihood of AI citation:
- Direct answer formatting — clear, concise definitions in the first 40–60 words of key sections
- Question-based headings — H2s framed as questions your audience asks, matching natural language queries
- FAQ schema blocks — structured question-and-answer pairs that AI models can easily parse
- Entity clarity — clear identification of who, what, where, when that helps AI models understand and attribute your content
- Factual density — statistics, benchmarks, and specific data points that make your content more citation-worthy
Authority & Trust Signal Building
AI models prioritise sources they consider authoritative and trustworthy:
- E-E-A-T optimisation — demonstrating Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness throughout your content
- Author attribution — clear author bios with credentials and expertise signals
- Citation building — earning mentions and links from sources that AI models already trust
- Brand entity establishment — ensuring your brand has a clear, consistent presence across the sources AI models draw from
Ongoing Monitoring & Optimisation
AI search is evolving rapidly. We continuously monitor your AI search visibility, track citation patterns, and adapt your strategy as platforms and algorithms change.
AEO vs SEO: How They Work Together
AEO doesn't replace SEO — it builds on it. The foundations of good SEO (quality content, technical health, authority) are also foundations of AEO. The difference is in how content is structured and optimised:
| Factor | Traditional SEO | AEO/GEO |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Rank in search results list | Be cited in AI-generated answers |
| Content format | Long-form optimised pages | Concise, citation-ready answers within pages |
| Heading structure | Keyword-focused | Question-focused (natural language) |
| Success metric | Rankings and organic traffic | Brand citations and referral traffic from AI |
| Authority signals | Backlinks and domain authority | E-E-A-T, entity clarity, factual density |
Our approach integrates both. Every page we create is optimised for traditional search rankings AND AI citation — because the businesses winning in 2026 need both.
Who Should Invest in AEO & GEO?
AEO/GEO is particularly valuable for:
- Professional services firms where expertise and trust are buying factors
- B2B and SaaS companies with complex products that generate information-seeking queries
- Healthcare providers answering symptom and treatment questions
- Ecommerce brands competing for product recommendation queries
- Any business where "near me" or "best [service] in [location]" queries drive leads
Get Ahead of AI Search Before Your Competitors Do
This is a first-mover opportunity. The businesses that optimise for AI search now will be the ones cited as authorities when the market fully shifts. Book a free AI search visibility audit to find out where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AEO replacing SEO?
No. AEO builds on SEO — it doesn't replace it. The fundamentals of SEO (quality content, technical health, authority) remain essential. AEO adds a layer of optimisation specifically for how AI-powered search tools select and cite sources. Businesses need both to maximise their search visibility in 2026 and beyond.
How do I know if I'm being cited in AI search results?
We use a combination of manual testing (querying AI tools with your target keywords), AI search monitoring tools, and referral traffic analysis. Our AEO audit gives you a clear picture of where you're being cited, where you're missing, and where your competitors are appearing instead.
How long does AEO take to show results?
AEO results can appear faster than traditional SEO because AI models reindex and update their source material regularly. Initial improvements in AI citations can appear within 4–8 weeks of implementing content structure changes. Building broader AI search authority is an ongoing process that compounds over 3–12 months.
Can small businesses benefit from AEO?
Yes. AI search tools don't inherently favour large brands — they favour authoritative, well-structured content. A small business with expertly written, clearly structured content about their niche can outperform larger competitors in AI citations. This is especially true for local and industry-specific queries.