AEO: How to Get Your Brand Cited in AI Answers

Buyers now ask ChatGPT and Perplexity before they search Google. Here's how answer engine optimization puts your brand in the answer.

Search has a new front door. Before a buyer types a query into Google, many now ask an AI assistant: which tools should I consider, which agency is best for this, what does good look like? The answer they get shapes the shortlist.

Answer engine optimization — AEO — is the work of making sure your brand appears in those answers. It builds on SEO but optimizes for a different outcome: being cited and recommended, not just ranked.

Three things matter most. Content that answers specific questions clearly and directly. Consistent entity signals — your name, category and positioning described the same way everywhere. And citations from sources AI models already trust, such as reviews, comparisons and respected publications.

Start by asking the AI tools your buyers use the questions your buyers ask. Note who gets mentioned and why. That gap is your AEO roadmap.