Skip to content
Authority Growth
Glossary

Answer engine optimization (AEO)

Answer engine optimization (AEO) is the practice of shaping your content and reputation so AI assistants and answer engines describe you accurately.

Answer engine optimization, or AEO, focuses on how answer engines respond to questions about your category. Instead of ranking a list of links, assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity write a direct answer. AEO aims to make your name part of that answer, described correctly.

AEO has two halves. On your own site, it means clear direct answers, structured data, FAQ pages and plain language that machines can quote. Off your site, it means the sources assistants trust mention you. Since earned media makes up 84% of AI citations in Muck Rack's May 2026 research, coverage from journalists, podcasts and stages carries real weight.

Nobody can promise a specific AI answer. What you can do is give assistants accurate, consistent and well-sourced material to draw from. Our Authority Program includes an AI Visibility Audit at day 0 and day 90 so you can see how answers change.

Want help putting this to work? Book a strategy call with Zach and leave with your best angles, the outlets and shows that fit you, and a clear plan.

Ready to become the name buyers trust?

Book a 30 minute strategy call with Zach, or pick the path that fits: do it yourself, done with you or done for you.

Book a callSolutions