What Does It Mean To Optimise For SEO, AEO, and GEO Together?

When most people think about online visibility, the first thing that comes to mind is SEO. Search Engine Optimisation has been the foundation for ranking higher on Google for decades. But the landscape has shifted. Today, it’s not just search engines we need to optimise for. We also have AEO, or Answer Engine Optimisation, which focuses on making content easy for voice assistants and conversational tools to understand. Then there’s GEO, or Generative Engine Optimisation, which helps content appear in responses produced by systems that gather information from across the web.

Blending these three approaches is no longer optional. Users want fast, clear and direct answers whether they are typing into Google, asking Alexa, or reading generated summaries. To stay visible, businesses and creators must craft content that works across all three layers of optimisation.

How does SEO still matter in an AI-driven environment?

SEO remains the backbone. Google’s algorithms are still the gatekeepers to online visibility. Core elements such as keyword research, backlinks, site performance and content quality still determine rankings. But the way keywords are used has changed. Instead of focusing on exact matches, the emphasis is now on semantic intent.

For example, a person searching “best running shoes for flat feet” might get long-form guides, product reviews and comparison charts. That same query spoken aloud to a voice assistant could return a single summarised answer. SEO ensures your content ranks highly enough to be found, while AEO and GEO decide how well it is served in those newer formats.

Why is AEO important for voice and conversational search?

Answer Engine Optimisation is about structuring content so voice assistants and conversational systems can pull answers quickly and accurately. This means writing in a way that mirrors how people actually ask questions. Short, conversational sentences and clear answers near the start of a paragraph help.

Think about it: when someone says, “Hey Google, what’s the healthiest type of bread?” the system won’t read a 1,500-word essay. It will look for a concise, trustworthy answer. By using natural phrasing, featured snippets and FAQ-style sections, you make it easier for your content to be chosen.

Schema markup also plays a big role. Structured data helps machines identify the context of your content, whether it’s a product, review, recipe or how-to guide. The clearer the signals, the better your chances of being selected in a spoken or generated reply.

What role does GEO play in future-proofing content?

Generative Engine Optimisation is newer, but it is growing quickly. Tools that generate answers don’t simply rely on traditional search results. They synthesise information, pulling insights from multiple sources. To stand out in this space, content must be designed to provide these systems with clear, reliable data.

This requires strong topical authority. Instead of producing scattered posts, focus on building clusters of content around a subject. For example, if your website covers nutrition, don’t just write one article on protein. Create a series covering plant-based proteins, animal proteins, how much protein you need, and myths about protein intake. Together, these build an ecosystem that signals authority.

Trustworthiness is also critical. Generative engines favour sources that are consistent, cited and regularly updated. Outdated or vague content risks being skipped entirely. GEO is about anticipating not just what people search for, but how machines reshape that information for users.

How can you create content that works across all three?

The good news is that SEO, AEO and GEO share the same foundation: clarity, structure and value. Here are key strategies to unify them:

Write for people first, machines second

Content should sound natural. Avoid stuffing keywords. Instead, use variations and related terms that mirror real queries. Voice search queries tend to be longer and more conversational, so it helps to include those forms too.

Use structured layouts

Headings should often be questions. Paragraphs should deliver clear answers straight away, with supporting detail after. Lists, bullet points and tables are easy for both people and machines to digest.

Add schema markup

This includes FAQ schema, product schema and review schema. These signals help systems categorise your content. Even if readers don’t see it, search engines and generative tools will.

Build authority through clusters

Instead of one-off blog posts, build connected groups of articles that cover a topic from multiple angles. This strengthens SEO rankings, increases the chance of snippet selection for AEO, and positions your site as a trustworthy source for GEO.

Keep content fresh

Generative systems tend to favour recent data. Updating older posts with new insights or statistics improves your visibility across all three areas.

What does this look like in practice?

Let’s imagine you run a travel blog. Here’s how you’d apply the three approaches:

• SEO: Optimise a post for “best places to visit in Italy” with on-page SEO, keyword research, high-quality images and internal links to related guides. 
• AEO: Add a short paragraph at the top that directly answers “What are the best places to visit in Italy?” so voice assistants can read it aloud. Include an FAQ section that covers “What is the best time to visit Italy?” and “What is the safest city in Italy?” 
• GEO: Create a hub of related posts on Italian travel, including food guides, cultural etiquette and city comparisons. This signals authority to generative tools, making your content more likely to appear in synthesised travel answers. 

By layering all three, your blog isn’t just optimised for one channel. It’s ready for how people consume information across search, voice and generative platforms.

What should you focus on next?

The shift towards AI-powered discovery isn’t slowing down. But instead of worrying that SEO is dying, think of it as evolving. SEO builds the base, AEO makes content accessible in voice and conversational searches, and GEO prepares it for the next generation of generative systems.

Brands that start now will be ahead of the curve, not playing catch-up. The priority is to write content that is clear, trustworthy, well-structured and answers real questions. If you do that, you’ll meet the needs of humans and machines alike.