Is AEO the new SEO?

AEO vs. SEO: Is Your Business Showing Up Where Customers Are Searching?

AEO or AIO (AI Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing your business so it appears in AI-generated answers (like ChatGPT or voice assistants). Instead of just ranking on search engines, AEO focuses on making your business easy for AI to understand, trust, and recommend. AEO and AIO are often used interchangeably. 

Traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is about ranking on Google through keywords, backlinks, and website authority. AEO goes a step further — prioritizing clear, accurate business information, strong reviews, and content that directly answers customer questions.

The good news: you can address both at the same time. Keep your website updated, ensure your business listings are consistent across platforms, collect strong reviews, and create simple, helpful content. These fundamentals help you rank on Google and get recommended by AI — giving your business visibility wherever customers are searching.

Want to make it even easier? Folsom Living offers a Business Listings Tool to manage all of your online listings and content in one place.