GEO vs SEO vs AEO. What each one actually does.
Search Engine Optimisation makes you findable. Answer Engine Optimisation makes you quotable. Generative Engine Optimisation makes you representable. Here is how they fit together.
One ecosystem, three jobs.
How they differ, and where they overlap.
Swipe the table left/right to see all columns.
| Dimension | SEO | AEO | GEO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Rank pages in search results | Be extracted as a direct answer | Be cited and represented in generative outputs |
| Where it shows up | Google, Bing, traditional SERPs | AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini | Any generative AI summary, agent, or chat interface |
| Key signals | Crawlability, authority, backlinks, keywords | Clear structure, query-matched headings, schema markup | Entity recognition, consistent facts, brand mentions, structured data |
| Content format | Optimised pages, internal linking, meta tags | Self-contained answers, FAQ blocks, definition paragraphs | Structured knowledge, consistent entity claims, llms.txt |
| Time to traction | Months for rankings and organic pipeline | Weeks to months for citation visibility | Months as authority and entity clarity compound |
What an AI-discoverable site actually has.
The fix order ADG Advisory uses
Most sites are invisible to AI not because they lack content, but because their content is not structured to answer questions.
- A documented positioning statement so AI systems know what you claim.
- A query map of the questions your buyers actually ask.
- Self-contained answer blocks for your top 20 questions.
- FAQPage and Article schema on priority pages.
- An accessible llms.txt file summarising your business and policies.
- Consistent entity facts across your site, LinkedIn, directories, and press.
Common questions.
What is the difference between SEO, AEO, and GEO?
SEO makes you findable in traditional search engines. AEO makes your content extractable as a direct answer by AI systems. GEO is the wider practice of making your brand understandable and citeable by generative AI models.
Do I still need SEO if I am optimising for AI search?
Yes. AI answer engines largely select sources from the same authority signals SEO builds: crawlability, relevance, and structured clarity. A site invisible to Google is usually invisible to AI too.
What content structure helps AEO and GEO?
Clear headings that mirror real questions, self-contained answer paragraphs, FAQ schema, lists and tables, and concise definitions all help AI systems extract and cite your content accurately.
How long does it take to show up in AI-generated answers?
Technical fixes and structured answers can be indexed within weeks, but authority and citation frequency compound over months. The Hexagram Diagnostic will show which layer needs attention first.
Can ADG Advisory implement all three at once?
Yes. ADG Advisory builds SEO as the foundation, AEO as the structured citation layer, and GEO as the broader authority layer, prioritised by what the diagnostic shows is actually broken.
Find out where your Signal stands.
The Hexagram Diagnostic scores your marketing architecture across six pillars, including the Signal pillar that covers SEO, AEO, and GEO. Free. 8 minutes. No signup.