AEO: Is your website ready to be cited by generative AI?

Online search has changed profoundly. With the rise of voice search and artificial intelligence tools, internet users are looking for more than just a list of links: they want direct, concise answers. This is where Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) comes in. Companies must now consider AEO as an essential approach to improving their visibility. The goal is no longer just to reach the top spot on Google, but also to become the source of information that search engines and AI prefer to cite directly.

The AEO Challenge: Being the chosen one

The search landscape is evolving towards a logic of information extraction. Artificial Intelligence systems rigorously sort content:

• First, they select the clearest and most relevant passages from your pages.
• They then use these extracts to generate direct responses (AI Overviews).
• Finally, they transform this quote into an indicator of performance and credibility.

Therefore, your content should aim to become the answer itself, rather than just an entry point to a page. AEO is the essential way to boost your visibility in the age of artificial intelligence.

The strategic framework to be adopted

To align with the requirements of this new environment, companies must implement a rigorous AEO methodology, based on best practices identified by experts:

1. Understanding the intent behind the response: Analysis of user queries focuses on specific conversational questions (How, What, Why). Your content must respond to these questions in a direct and concise manner.
2. Strengthening credibility: Algorithms favour reliable sources. It is important to ensure that the website is authoritative and that the content is factually accurate, which is an essential prerequisite for being cited.
3. Ensure SEO/AEO synergy: AEO cannot exist without solid SEO. Adopt an approach that ensures perfect alignment between technical optimisation and editorial quality for maximum visibility.
4. Audit of generated responses: Continuous monitoring must be implemented to analyse the snippets displayed by search engines (Position Zero) and adjust the content strategy for better matching.

Ultimately, AEO is establishing itself as an operational reality. Becoming the answer is key to brand visibility and authority in a search environment dominated by Artificial Intelligence.

To integrate Answer Engine Optimisation into your growth strategy today, please do not hesitate to contact our GSO agency.

About Ad's up

Nora Loiseau
Chargée de Communication - Relation Presse et évènementiel