AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) focuses on structuring content so it can be directly used as clear answers by AI and voice-driven platforms. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) ensures your brand and content are visible, cited, and trusted within AI-generated responses across search and generative systems.

HubSpot has published a new guide, ‘AEO vs. GEO explained: What marketers need to know now’.

Zoe Ashbridge says, “Marketers use AEO and GEO interchangeably, but there is a difference, and that’s what will be defined and explained in this article. In brief, AEO optimizes content for answer boxes and voice search results, while GEO targets AI chatbot citations and generated summaries.

It might be challenging to get everyone in agreement on what’s what, but let’s try. AEO and GEO are not going away, and the faster the industry can align on what these acronyms mean, the better. From a strategic perspective, it doesn’t matter that much since all SEO specialists should already be laying the foundations for AEO, GEO, and, of course, SEO. But with a unified definition, it’ll be much easier to talk about it all.

If you’re not sure you’re laying down the work required for AEO or GEO or how to measure their impact, stay tuned because we’ll cover that after defining our terms.”

AEO vs. GEO explained: What marketers need to know now

HubSpot