Search has changed. Customers still use Google, but they also ask voice assistants, read AI-generated summaries at the top of search results and ask ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity for recommendations. To be found everywhere, businesses now need three related strategies: SEO, AEO and GEO.
What is SEO?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the practice of improving your website so it ranks higher in search results such as Google and Bing. It covers:
- Technical SEO: fast, mobile-friendly pages, clean URLs, a sitemap and no broken links.
- On-page SEO: titles, meta descriptions, headings and content that match what people search for.
- Off-page SEO: backlinks, mentions and reviews that show your site is trusted.
- Local SEO: a complete Google Business Profile, consistent address details and reviews.
What is AEO?
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) focuses on getting your content chosen as the direct answer: featured snippets, "People also ask" boxes and voice assistant replies. AEO works best when you:
- Answer common questions clearly in the first one or two sentences.
- Use question-style headings, for example "How much does a website cost in India?".
- Add FAQ sections and FAQ structured data.
- Use lists and steps that are easy to extract.
What is GEO?
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) aims to make your business appear in answers generated by AI assistants and AI search summaries. AI systems prefer sources that are clear, factual and consistent. GEO practices include:
- Clear facts about your business: what you do, where you are and who you serve, written the same way everywhere.
- Structured data (schema.org) for your organisation, services, products, articles and FAQs.
- An llms.txt file that summarises your site for AI tools.
- Original, expert content with real examples, data and opinions that AI systems can cite.
- Mentions on other trusted sites, such as directories, news and industry blogs.
How SEO, AEO and GEO work together
They are not competing strategies. Good SEO is the foundation; AEO and GEO build on top of it:
- SEO gets your pages crawled, indexed and ranked.
- AEO shapes your content so it can be lifted as a direct answer.
- GEO makes your brand easy for AI systems to understand, trust and recommend.
A practical checklist
- Make sure every page has a unique title and meta description.
- Fix speed and mobile issues. Check Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Add Organization, LocalBusiness, Service, Article and FAQ structured data.
- Write an FAQ section for every key service page.
- Create and maintain your Google Business Profile with photos, services and reviews.
- Publish helpful articles that answer real customer questions.
- Keep your business name, address and phone number identical across the web.
- Add an llms.txt file and keep your sitemap up to date.
- Track results in Google Search Console and watch which questions bring traffic.
Conclusion
The goal has not changed: be the most helpful, trustworthy answer to your customer's question. What has changed is where that answer appears. Businesses that combine SEO, AEO and GEO will be visible on Google, in voice search and in AI assistants alike.
Codingrim offers SEO services for businesses across Tamil Nadu, covering technical SEO, local SEO, content and structured data for AI search. Request a free website review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SEO, AEO and GEO?
SEO improves rankings in search engines. AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) helps your content get chosen as the direct answer in featured snippets and voice search. GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) helps AI assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini understand, trust and recommend your business.
How do I get my business mentioned by ChatGPT or Gemini?
Publish clear, factual information about your business, use structured data, keep your details consistent across the web, write original expert content and earn mentions on other trusted websites.
Is SEO still important with AI search?
Yes. AI search tools still rely on web pages they can crawl and trust. Strong SEO is the foundation for both AEO and GEO.
What is llms.txt?
llms.txt is a plain-text file at the root of a website that summarises the site and links to its most important pages, making it easier for AI tools to understand the business.
