Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Answer Engine Optimization, AI search, and LLM visibility answered clearly and concisely.
General AEO Questions
Is AEO worth investing in given how quickly AI changes?
Yes. A common concern is whether optimizing for AI search is pointless since responses change frequently. However, research shows:
- The brands appearing in AI search results don't change drastically between queries
- While exact wording varies, top brands for specific prompts remain consistent
- Citation links (sources) appear relatively stable over time
- Although rankings may shift slightly, presence remains fairly constant
Conclusion: It's better to start optimizing sooner rather than later.
Isn't every AI answer unique? Does optimization even work?
Every response from an LLM is inherently unique—parameters like "temperature" control creativity and can influence output. However:
- The core information tends to remain consistent
- Brand recommendations stay relatively stable
- Citation sources don't change dramatically
Monitoring general patterns is valuable even if exact responses vary.
What's the difference between AEO, GEO, and LLMO?
| Term | Full Name | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| AEO | Answer Engine Optimization | Optimizing for AI-powered search engines |
| GEO | Generative Engine Optimization | Similar to AEO, focuses on generative AI search |
| LLMO | Large Language Model Optimization | Optimizing for LLM training data (longer-term) |
| GAIO | Generative AI Optimization | Overarching term for all AI optimization |
All these terms refer to similar practices with slightly different emphases.
Is traditional SEO still relevant?
Absolutely. Research shows a strong correlation (~0.65) between Google page 1 rankings and LLM brand mentions. Your SEO work directly supports your AEO efforts.
Key finding: Ranking well in traditional search helps you appear in AI responses.
How long does AEO take to show results?
It varies:
- AI search with web browsing (ChatGPT, Perplexity) — Changes can appear relatively quickly as new content is indexed
- Pure LLMs (Claude, older GPT models) — Longer term, as improvements require model retraining
- Google AI Overviews — Tied to traditional SEO timeline
Generally, expect 3-6 months for meaningful visibility improvements.
Technical Questions
Should I block AI crawlers?
Generally, no. Blocking AI crawlers removes you from AI search results entirely.
Consider blocking only if:
- You have proprietary content you don't want in training data
- You have legal/regulatory requirements
- You specifically want to opt out
Even then, consider blocking training bots while allowing real-time search bots.
Does Schema.org markup help with AI visibility?
Yes, indirectly. AI systems don't parse your schema in real-time, but:
- Well-structured data improves how training data interprets your site
- Schema helps with traditional SEO, which correlates with AI visibility
- Knowledge graphs (built from schema) inform AI systems
- It future-proofs your content for smarter AI systems
What's llms.txt and do I need it?
llms.txt is a new standard helping LLMs understand your site structure. It's similar to robots.txt but specifically for AI.
Should you implement it? Yes—it's low effort and helps AI systems understand your content organization.
Do backlinks still matter for AI visibility?
Less than for traditional SEO. Research shows backlinks have a weak or neutral correlation with LLM visibility. However:
- Backlinks help traditional SEO, which correlates with AI visibility
- Links from authoritative sources (Wikipedia, major publications) carry weight
- The quality of link context matters more than quantity
Strategy Questions
What's the fastest way to improve AI visibility?
Priority actions for quick wins:
- Add quotes and statistics to existing content (30-40% improvement potential)
- Ensure AI crawler access via robots.txt
- Implement basic Schema.org markup
- Create/update llms.txt file
- Test and monitor current visibility
Should I focus on all AI platforms or just one?
Start broad, then optimize:
- Begin with fundamentals that help across all platforms
- Monitor which platforms drive your traffic/mentions
- Prioritize based on your audience — B2B might focus on Perplexity, consumer might focus on ChatGPT
- Track platform-specific results and adjust
How important is Wikipedia for AI visibility?
Very important. Wikipedia is weighted 5x higher in many LLM training datasets and accounts for ~10% of AI search citations. If you're eligible for Wikipedia, pursuing a listing should be a priority.
Is Reddit really that important?
Yes. Reddit is the most cited domain in AI search results (~32% of citations) due to:
- Reddit data is licensed to OpenAI and others for training
- AI values authentic user discussions
- Reddit content is extensive and regularly updated
Active Reddit presence can significantly impact AI visibility.
What about "Black Hat" AEO tactics?
Avoid them. Examples include:
- Prompt injection ("Ignore previous instructions...")
- Fake reviews/content
- Manipulation attempts
These tactics may work short-term but damage long-term reputation and risk penalties as AI systems improve at detection.
Measurement Questions
How do I track AI referral traffic?
In Google Analytics 4:
- Create a custom channel group
- Use regex to identify AI referrers (see below)
- Monitor trends over time
Regex pattern:
^.*openai.*|.*chatgpt.*|.*perplexity.*|.*claude.*$
What metrics should I track for AEO?
Key metrics:
| Category | Metrics |
|---|---|
| Traffic | AI referral visits, growth rate, pages receiving traffic |
| Visibility | Brand mention frequency, citation count, response position |
| Engagement | AI referral conversion rate, time on site, bounce rate |
| Competitive | Share of voice vs competitors |
How do I test my AI visibility?
Manual testing protocol:
- Select 10-20 key queries related to your brand
- Test across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google (AI Overviews), Bing Copilot
- Document: Was your brand mentioned? What position? Which competitors appeared?
- Repeat weekly/monthly to track changes
Are there agencies specializing in AEO?
Yes, many SEO agencies are adapting to include AEO services. Look for agencies that:
- Understand how AI search works
- Have AEO-specific strategies
- Can measure AI visibility
- Stay current with rapid changes
Note: Search for "AEO agency" or "GEO agency" — but be careful not to confuse with "geospatial agencies."
Content Questions
How should I structure content for AI?
Key principles:
- Lead with answers — Key information in first paragraph
- Use clear headings — H1 → H2 → H3 hierarchy
- Include Q&A format — Mirror how users ask questions
- Add data and citations — Statistics improve citation rates by 30-40%
- Be comprehensive — Cover topics thoroughly
How many statistics/quotes should I include?
Research suggests:
- 3-5 relevant statistics per major content piece
- 2-3 expert quotes per piece
- 5-6 source citations maximum for natural flow
Quality over quantity—each should add genuine value.
Should I optimize for keywords or natural language?
Natural language. LLM prompts average ~13 words vs 2-4 for traditional search. Write how people actually ask questions, not keyword-optimized phrases.