Suddenly, and almost without noticing it (or maybe we did), we stopped searching the internet the way we used to. Little by little, we got used to using AI to make direct queries, without opening dozens of links or closing five ad popups just to find out how many legs a centipede has (between 30 and 354, by the way).
Today, users don’t just “search”, we ask and interact. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity are no longer experiments. They are the new places where we find information, products, and solutions.
This shift gave rise to a concept that’s gaining a lot of traction (as if we didn’t already have enough acronyms): AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). And while it might sound like the “new SEO”, the reality is different. It’s an extension of what we already know, adapted to a conversational ecosystem.
The current landscape: The balance is shifting
Today, Google processes around 9 billion searches per day, while ChatGPT is already approaching 2.5 billion. Traditional search is still dominant, but the gap is closing fast. A big reason is that Millennials and Gen Z are rapidly adopting AI as their primary way to find information.
That’s why even Google had to adapt and launch its own AI mode (AI Overviews), where it presents a generated answer before showing the list of websites.
In classic Google search, the goal was to rank first to get the click. With AI, the rule changes. These tools pull from multiple sources, gather information, synthesize it, and deliver a single answer. If your brand doesn’t appear in that synthesis, for the user, you simply don’t exist.
What is AEO really?
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization. It’s the process of optimizing your content so AI tools use your site or product as a source when generating answers.
SEO is not going away. In fact, it’s the foundation of AEO. AI models still take into account:
- Websites that rank well on Google.
- Content with real authority.
- Well-structured and accessible pages.
- Recognized entities (schema, links, and trusted databases).
How to optimize a site for SEO + AEO
1. Content: Less robots, more experts
AI looks for natural content. It wants real voices, personality, and even small human nuances. For robotic answers, it already exists.
- Titles written as full questions:
- How to improve concentration.
- How can I focus without opening Instagram as if it were a natural human reflex?
- Follow E-E-A-T principles. Show experience (real cases), expertise (technical knowledge), authority (external mentions), and trustworthiness (verifiable data).
2. Formats AI loves
AI prefers order so it can easily quote you. Use:
- Lists, tables, and bullet points.
- Clear FAQs. Accordions are fine, but make sure the answer is present in the HTML.
Example:
<h3>What is the meaning of life?</h3><p>It’s still a mystery. But if you figure it out, let us know after reading this.</p>
3. The dev side: Technical optimization
If AI can’t read your code, it can’t cite you.
- Avoid hiding content behind heavy JavaScript. If your content only appears after a complex JS execution or a fetch call, AI will likely skip it.
- Alt text and transcriptions. AI doesn’t see images or hear videos. It reads text. If you don’t describe your visuals, you lose the chance to be referenced.
4. The crucial role of Schema Markup
Schema is code that works like a universal translator. It structures your page’s information so AI models don’t have to guess what your content is about.
Some essential schema types include:
- Organization schema. Defines who you are (name, logo, official profiles). It helps AI recognize you as a real entity and not confuse you with another brand.
- Article schema. Essential for blogs. It tells AI who the author is, when it was published, and how the content is structured, helping assess freshness and relevance.
- Product, FAQ, and How-To schema.
- Product: Describes pricing and features.
- FAQ: Defines direct questions and answers, the preferred format for answer engines.
- How-To: Explains processes step by step, ideal for tutorials and technical guides.
5. The most overlooked asset: The Help Center
Help centers are AI favorites because they go straight to the point. Documentation, technical articles, and ultra-specific content are high-quality fuel for models like Perplexity or Gemini.
- Move your Help Center to a subdirectory. tusite.com/help is better than a subdomain like help.tusite.com, as it concentrates authority in one place.
- Strategic interlinking. Link blog articles to technical Help Center content.
- Cover the real long-tail questions. Instead of only answering “How to organize your day?”, also answer “What should I do if my task list gives me more anxiety than clarity?”
Authority is not just your website
AI trusts sources that talk consistently about a topic over time. The winner isn’t the loudest voice, but the one that has been explaining things clearly for years. AI also validates information through external sources such as:
- Wikidata and Crunchbase.
- Google My Business and Bing Places.
- Relevant industry directories.
Conclusion: The future is a conversation
The future isn’t SEO versus AEO. It’s a combined strategy. People will keep searching, but more and more they will ask. And AI models will rely on the best-written content, the most trustworthy brands, and the most technically solid websites.
The future of search is not a list. It’s a conversation. And your brand needs to be part of it.
At Paisanos, we can help you build your website to meet the requirements of this new era. Let’s talk and tell us about your project.