What is AEO and why does it matter now?
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization -- the practice of structuring content so AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews cite your brand in their responses. As more searches are answered directly by AI rather than linking to a list of results, showing up in those answers is becoming as important as ranking on page one.
What AI platforms do you optimize for?
I track and optimize for the major AI answer platforms: ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews (AIO), and AI Mode. The underlying strategies -- entity clarity, structured content, schema markup, authoritative sourcing -- improve citability across all of them.
How is AEO different from traditional SEO?
Traditional SEO is optimized for ranking in a list of links. AEO is optimized for being selected as the answer. It requires different content structures (FAQ format, lists, clear definitions), entity-level authority signals, and schema markup that helps AI systems understand who you are, what you do, and why you are a credible source -- not just whether your page matches a keyword.
What does a technical SEO audit cover?
My audits use Sitebulb, Screaming Frog, and Google Search Console to surface crawlability issues, indexation problems, duplicate content, internal linking gaps, metadata issues, page speed problems, structured data errors, and Core Web Vitals failures. You get a prioritized remediation list, not just a data dump.
What is schema markup and do I need it?
Schema markup is structured data added to your pages that tells search engines and AI systems exactly what your content means -- not just what it says. For AEO in particular, schema types like FAQPage, Person, Organization, LocalBusiness, and Article help AI systems identify you as a credible, citable source. If you want to show up in AI answers, schema is not optional.
Do you work with small businesses or only enterprise clients?
Both. My consulting work includes small business owners, independent professionals, and niche B2B agencies -- not just enterprise brands. AEO and technical SEO deliver outsized results for businesses in specific niches because there is less competition for AI citations in specialized markets.
Do you build websites or only do SEO?
Both. I have 20+ years of hands-on web production experience in WordPress, WooCommerce, dotCMS, Adobe Experience Manager, and other platforms. I can implement SEO and AEO changes directly -- I don't just hand off a list of recommendations and leave.
How long does it take to see results from AEO?
Technical fixes and schema implementation can take effect within weeks. AI citation visibility typically builds over 60-120 days as AI systems re-index and update their training data. Google search visibility improvements from technical SEO generally show within 30-90 days. I set realistic timelines at the start of every engagement and track results with monthly reporting.
What does an AEO engagement look like?
It starts with a baseline audit: technical SEO health, existing AI citation status, content gaps, and schema coverage. From there I build a prioritized roadmap covering technical fixes, entity strategy, schema implementation, and content improvements. Ongoing engagements include monthly performance reporting across AI platforms and keyword rankings.
How do I get started?
Email me at [email protected] or connect on LinkedIn. I start most engagements with a discovery call to understand your goals, your current visibility, and where the biggest opportunities are. From there I'll outline an approach and scope before we commit to anything.
