Answer Engine Optimisation: How to Get Found in AI Search
More people now get answers from AI assistants and AI summaries in search. Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) helps your business show up in those answers.
Search is changing. Instead of scrolling through ten blue links, many people now read an AI-generated summary at the top of Google, or ask an AI assistant directly: "Which clinic near me does teeth whitening?" or "Best billing software for a pharmacy in India?"
If your business is not part of those answers, you miss customers. Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the practice of making your content easy for AI systems to find, understand and quote.
AEO vs SEO
SEO helps your pages rank in search results. AEO helps your information appear inside answers. They work together: AI tools still rely heavily on well-ranked, trustworthy pages. Think of AEO as SEO with extra focus on clear, direct answers.
1. Answer real questions directly
Find the questions your customers actually ask. Then answer each one clearly near the top of a page, in one or two plain sentences, before going into detail.
Example: "How long does a root canal take? A root canal usually takes 60 to 90 minutes and may need one or two visits."
2. Add FAQ sections
Short, honest FAQ sections on your service and product pages give AI tools neat question-and-answer pairs to work with. Keep answers factual and up to date.
3. Use structured data
Structured data (schema markup) tells search engines exactly what your page is about: your business, services, products, FAQs, reviews and opening hours. It does not guarantee a mention, but it removes guesswork.
4. Show experience and trust
AI systems favour sources that look reliable. Help them:
- show who you are, your address and contact details
- add real author names and expertise where relevant
- collect genuine reviews
- keep facts, prices and timings current
5. Keep your business profiles consistent
Your name, address, phone number and services should match everywhere: your website, Google Business Profile and directories. Inconsistent details confuse both people and AI.
6. Write for people first
Clear headings, short paragraphs, lists and simple language help readers and AI alike. Avoid stuffing keywords; it makes content harder to understand.
7. Measure what you can
AI visibility is harder to measure than rankings. Track search traffic, enquiries that mention finding you online, and periodically check how AI assistants describe your business and competitors.
A note on honesty
No one can guarantee that an AI tool will mention your business, because each tool decides its own answers. What you can do is make your content the clearest, most trustworthy answer available.
We help businesses with SEO, structured data and AEO. Learn more about our AI Marketing & AEO and SEO Services, or ask us for a free visibility check.