07 / Answer Engine Optimization

AEO

The new top-of-page.

What it is

Google now answers questions directly inside the search results page — before anyone clicks a link. These AI Overviews appear for 30–40% of all searches. If your content isn't the source Google's AI pulls from, you're invisible on those queries. AEO is the practice of structuring your content so Google's AI treats you as the authoritative answer. It's different from traditional SEO, and most agencies don't know it exists.

How we run it
01

AI Overview audit

We identify every search query relevant to your brand where Google is showing an AI Overview, and check whether your content is being cited. Gaps become the priority list.

02

Schema markup implementation

FAQ schema, HowTo schema, Article schema, Product schema — every structured data type that signals to Google what your content answers.

03

Direct-answer content

We rewrite or create content that answers specific questions in the first paragraph — the format Google's AI prefers to cite. No preamble, no fluff, just the answer followed by depth.

04

Featured snippet capture

We target featured snippet positions (paragraph, list, table) as stepping stones to AI Overview inclusion. Ranking for featured snippets increases AI Overview citation probability by 3–5x.

The AI edge

We optimize content for AI readers, not just humans.

Google's AI Overview system reads content differently from a human searcher. It looks for direct answers, authoritative citations, structured data, and consistent entity mentions. We write for both.

  • AI-assisted Q&A content generation for every relevant query cluster
  • Automated schema markup deployment across 100+ pages simultaneously
  • AI Overview appearance tracking with weekly citation reports
  • Entity optimization: consistent mention of brand, founder, product names across content
  • Competitor citation gap analysis — where Google cites them instead of you
Tools we use
Google Search ConsoleAI Overview tracking
Schema.org markupStructured data
SemrushFeatured snippet tracking
ClaudeDirect-answer content
Google Rich Results TestSchema validation
Custom AI Overview monitorCitation tracking
Results
68%
Of target queries with AI Overview citationsafter 90-day optimization
3.1x
Organic CTR liftfrom featured snippet + AEO combined
40+
Schema types deployedacross a typical site
Ready to start?

Let's build yourAEO engine.