Search is no longer a list of blue links. When customers ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini where to stay, who to hire, or what to buy, they receive a direct answer — often with no click to your website.
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the practice of ensuring your business is represented accurately and favourably in those AI-generated responses.
Why AEO matters now
Traditional SEO optimises for rankings. AEO optimises for citation, representation, and recommendation inside AI systems. The businesses that appear in AI answers today are building authority that compounds.
Where to start
- Understand how AI systems currently describe your business
- Build structured, authoritative content that AI can reference
- Align your brand identity consistently across all published materials
For the broader discipline that includes GEO, see our guide on Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). For the full AEO vs SEO comparison, see our 2026 planning guide. For preparing for Google AI Mode specifically, see preparing for Google AI Mode. To track citation and mention rates, see AI visibility measurement.
Contact Melonaid to discuss an AI visibility assessment for your business.