GEO Basics
GEO vs AEO: what's the difference?
Updated January 12, 2026GEO Expert Team
Summary
GEO has a broader focus on generative engines and citation likelihood in generated responses. AEO has a broader focus on direct-answer surfaces including AI answers, featured snippets, and voice assistants. They overlap heavily in tactics like question targeting and answer-first formatting.
Detailed Answer
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization):
- Broader focus on generative engines
- Emphasizes citation likelihood in generated responses
- Targets AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity
- Broader focus on generative engines
- Emphasizes citation likelihood in generated responses
- Targets AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization):
- Broader focus on direct-answer surfaces
- Includes AI answers, featured snippets, voice assistants
- Covers more traditional Google features
Overlapping tactics:
- Question targeting
- Answer-first formatting
- Structured data (Schema.org)
- Authority building
comparisonaeogeo