SEO & GEO · 6 min
Optimising for ChatGPT and Perplexity (AEO)
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the optimisation of content to be selected and cited by AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity when they answer users' questions. Unlike SEO, which aims to rank among the links, AEO aims to become the answer — or the source of the answer — generated by the model.
Key points
- AEO aims to be the source cited by AI assistants.
- Models choose content that is clear, factual and well structured.
- Direct answers, FAQs and entity consistency are decisive.
- Technically, you need AI crawler access and structured data.
How AI assistants choose their sources
AI assistants favour content that is clear, factual, up to date and consistent, and that answers the question directly. They tend to cite reliable, well-structured sources where the information is easy to extract and attribute. Vague or promotional content is ignored.
The AEO practices that work
The most effective techniques are concrete: open with a direct answer («X is…»), use headings and lists, include FAQs, cite entities and data consistently, and keep information accurate. A predictable structure makes content easier for models to understand and cite.
- A direct answer at the start, before the details.
- FAQs and clear semantic structure.
- Consistency of entities, names and data.
- Accuracy and constant updating.
The technical side: access and structured data
If the AI assistants' crawlers can't access the site, the content will never be cited. Allowing them in the robots.txt file and exposing structured data (schema.org) and an up-to-date sitemap is the technical foundation of AEO: it makes the content accessible and understandable to machines.
FAQ
Are AEO and SEO the same thing? +
They are related but distinct: SEO aims for ranking in results, AEO for being cited in AI assistants' answers. They share many of the same basic best practices.
How do I let AI assistants know they can use my site? +
By allowing their crawlers in the robots.txt file and exposing structured data and a sitemap, so the content is accessible and understandable.
Can I guarantee being cited by ChatGPT or Perplexity? +
No, no one can guarantee it. But content that is accurate, clear and well structured, accessible to crawlers, greatly increases the likelihood of being cited.
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