Why AEO is the New SEO (And why your business needs to keep up)
Let’s talk about three little letters that are about to shake up your whole marketing strategy: AEO. Never heard of it? You’re not alone…
What is AEO?
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimisation. No, it’s not just another digital marketing buzzword; it’s actually a massive shift in how people are finding answers online.
How often do you find yourself talking to your phones and smart devices?
“Alexa, what’s the weather like tomorrow?”
You’re not alone. A recent Vox Media survey found that 52% of participants said they use AI chatbots or alternative platforms (e.g., TikTok) for information instead of a traditional Google search.
Instead of typing keywords like “Italian Restaurant Bradford,” people are asking full, conversational questions to their smart devices or into AI and they want a quick, straight-to-the-point answer. That’s where AEO comes in. It’s all about optimising your content so search engines and systems such as Chat GPT see you as the go-to for those answers.
How’s that different from SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is still very much alive and a key part of your marketing strategy. It helps your website rank higher on search engine results. But SEO tends to focus on keywords, backlinks, and all the technical things that help Google, etc, understand what your site is about.
AEO, on the other hand, is all about giving clear, concise, and accurate answers to user questions. It’s less about where you rank and more about whether you’re the answer. Think of it like this:
SEO = Get seen
AEO = Get picked
And with voice search and AI assistants becoming more mainstream, people want answers not links to click through.
Why should small businesses care?
We get it as a small business owner, your to-do list is never-ending. But ignoring AEO could mean missing out on people who are actively looking for what you offer.
Here’s why it matters:
Local questions are booming: “Where can I get my nails done near me?” or “Who offers brow training in Yorkshire?” If you’re not optimised to answer these, your competitors might be.
Zero-click searches are rising: People don’t always click on websites anymore. Google just gives them the answer straight on the results page. If your content isn’t structured to show up there, you’ll miss out even if your site is ranking well.
It’s actually not that hard to get started: If you’re already creating blogs and FAQ’s you’re halfway there! It’s just about tweaking your content to make sure it’s answering real questions in a simple way.
So, what can you do about it?
Here are a few quick ways to get started with AEO:
Add FAQs to your website – Think about the actual questions customers ask you and answer them clearly.
Use conversational language – Write how people speak. Google loves it.
Optimise for voice search – Keep things short, snappy, and natural-sounding.
Claim your Google Business Profile – Local info is gold for answer engines.
AEO might sound technical, but it’s really just about being helpful and adding value which is what good marketing is all about, right?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t stress. At Bevic, we’re all about making marketing make sense for small businesses. Get in touch for an informal chat, or book in for a Marketing Power-Hour: vicky@bevic.co.uk