Answer Engine Optimization is the practice of structuring content so AI-powered answer engines like Google’s AI Overview, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude can extract it and cite it as a direct answer to user questions. Think of it as SEO’s next layer: instead of ranking for a keyword, you’re ranking for citation.
Answer engines look for content that opens with a direct answer, uses FAQPage schema around Q&A blocks, cites specific facts with named sources, and carries clear entity signals. AEO amplifies existing SEO. It doesn’t replace it.