PromptScoutWhat is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of improving how often and how accurately an answer engine uses a page as a source when generating direct answers. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) focuses on answer-ready content and machine-readable signals.
Quick definition
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) means structuring information so AI systems can find the information, understand the information, and reuse the information in answers.
How Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) works
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) starts with identifying questions and tasks that users ask in conversational search.
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) relies on pages that provide a direct definition early, then expand with supporting detail.
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) typically uses clear headings, lists, and consistent terminology to reduce ambiguity.
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) often includes structured data so machines can extract key facts.
- Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) requires technical foundations so content can be crawled, indexed, and rendered reliably.
Why Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) matters
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) matters because AI interfaces frequently satisfy intent without a click, which changes how visibility is earned.
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) can increase the likelihood of:
- appearing in LLM answers and AI search results
- receiving citation in AI answers when citations are shown
- being associated with an entity or topic in AI-generated summaries
Example use cases
- Publishing a glossary definition page that starts with a crisp definition and uses structured data.
- Rewriting an FAQ section so each question has a direct, self-contained answer.
- Creating a “how-to” page with steps, constraints, and clear headings that match query intent.
- Auditing how often a domain is cited across AI overviews and conversational search.