If your business relies on being found online, you've probably heard of SEO. But there's a new acronym you need to know: AEO - Answer Engine Optimisation.
AEO is the practice of optimising your website and content so that AI-powered search tools - like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Apple's Siri - recommend your business when someone asks a question.
Why Does AEO Matter?
The way people search is changing. Instead of typing "best dentist near me" into Google and clicking through ten results, people are increasingly asking AI assistants: "Who's the best dentist in Manchester for nervous patients?"
The AI doesn't show ten blue links. It gives one or two direct answers. If you're not the answer, you're invisible.
Research shows that over 40% of Gen Z now use TikTok and AI tools as their primary search engine, and AI-assisted search is growing across every age group. This isn't a future trend - it's happening right now.
How Is AEO Different from SEO?
SEO and AEO aren't opposites - AEO builds on top of solid SEO foundations. Here's the key difference:
- SEO gets you ranking in Google's search results (the traditional blue links)
- AEO gets you cited and recommended by AI assistants when they answer questions
Think of it this way: SEO makes you visible. AEO makes you the answer.
What Does AEO Involve?
Getting recommended by AI search requires a specific approach:
1. Structured Data (Schema Markup)
AI assistants rely heavily on structured data to understand what your business does, where you're located, what services you offer, and what your customers say about you. Adding proper schema markup to your site helps AI engines parse your content accurately.
2. Clear, Authoritative Content
AI models prefer content that directly answers questions in a clear, factual way. This means writing content that answers the specific questions your potential customers ask - not just keyword-stuffed pages.
3. Entity Building
AI engines build a "knowledge graph" of entities - people, businesses, concepts - and how they relate. Getting mentioned on trusted sites, having consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data everywhere, and building topical authority all help you become a recognised entity.
4. An llms.txt File
Just like robots.txt tells search crawlers what to index, an llms.txt file helps AI models understand your business. It's a simple text file at your domain root that summarises who you are, what you do, and your key pages.
How Can UK Businesses Get Started with AEO?
The good news is that if you already have a well-built website with decent SEO, you're halfway there. Here's a practical starting checklist:
- Audit your structured data - make sure you have Organisation, LocalBusiness, and Service schema on your site
- Create an llms.txt file - a simple summary of your business for AI crawlers
- Write FAQ content - answer the exact questions your customers ask, in plain English
- Build citations - get mentioned on industry directories, local listings, and relevant blogs
- Monitor AI mentions - ask ChatGPT and Perplexity about your services and see what comes up
Don't Get Left Behind
AI search isn't replacing Google overnight, but the trend is clear. Businesses that start optimising for AI search now will have a massive advantage over those who wait.
At Concoct Technologies, our SEO & AEO packages are specifically designed to get UK businesses ranking on Google and recommended by AI search engines. Every plan includes AEO strategy from the Growth tier up.
Get a free website audit and we'll show you exactly where you stand with both traditional search and AI search visibility.