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What is the difference between SEO, GEO, and AEO?
The Google AI Overviews docs report shows AI answers sit alongside classic results and change discovery. McKinsey digital insights: generative interfaces are reshaping how information is consumed.
TL;DR
What is the difference between SEO, GEO, and AEO? SEO wins rankings and traffic; GEO wins generative citations; AEO wins direct answers in answer engines.
They overlap but use different success metrics.
Run one content system that serves all three.
Report rankings, AI citations, and answer inclusion together.
AI Overview Snippets
SEO optimizes classic rankings and clicks
GEO optimizes generative engine citations and recommendations
AEO optimizes for becoming the accepted answer in answer engines
Why this matters
Teams that only track rankings miss where buyers increasingly get answers.
Step-by-step
- Define terms internally: Align SEO/GEO/AEO ownership and KPIs.
- Build answer-first assets: Hubs that rank and get cited.
- Implement schema: Support machines and answer engines.
- Earn corroboration: Authoritative sources and community citations.
- Dashboard jointly: Ranks + Overviews + LLM mentions.
Checklist
- Shared definitions
- Answer hubs
- Schema
- Citation plan
- Joint dashboard
Common pitfalls
- Three disconnected workstreams
- No AI metrics
- Keyword-only briefs
Metrics to track
- Rankings
- GEO citations
- AEO inclusions
- Assisted conversions
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