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AEO Made Simple

Want to get your business found in AI search, voice assistants, and featured snippets? This short video introduces AEO Made Simple, your dedicated resource page for Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO).

 

Discover how AEO works, why Position Zero matters, and how to start thinking like your customers to optimise your content. Plus, grab your free AEO Starter Checklist and learn how we keep AEO at the heart of every website we build.

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Ready to make your content THE answer?

What is AEO, and Why Does It Matter?

What does AEO stand for?

AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimisation, the next evolution of SEO. Instead of just helping web pages rank in search results, AEO is about optimising content so that it appears as a direct answer in search results, voice searches, and AI-generated responses.

Why is AEO important?

The way people search online is changing. More users now:

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  • Ask longer, more specific questions.

  • Expect instant answers without clicking multiple links.

  • Use voice search via Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.

 

This is where AEO makes a difference - by helping businesses provide direct, structured answers that search engines can easily use.

What is 'Position Zero'?

When Google provides an instant answer before all other results, it’s called Position Zero.

 

This top spot often appears as:

 

  • A featured snippet - A short answer box at the top of search results.

  • A step-by-step guide - Instructions displayed prominently.

  • A "People Also Ask" section - Related search questions.

Why does Position Zero Matter?

  • It gets the most visibility – Users often don’t scroll past it.

  • It’s voice search-friendly – Smart assistants read out these answers.

  • Small businesses can rank here – You don’t need a massive website—just the best answer.

How Does AEO Help You Get to Position Zero?

AEO optimises content so Google can feature it in Position Zero by:

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  • Answering questions clearly and concisely.

  • Using structured headings like "What is…" and "How to…".

  • Formatting content in bullet points or lists.

  • Adding structured data (Schema Markup) to help search engines categorise your content.

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Example: How Big Brands Dominate Search

Nike dominates traditional SEO search results for “best running shoes” because it has:

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  • A well-established website with years of credibility.

  • Thousands of backlinks from industry publications.

  • A vast content library including blogs, videos, and reviews.

 

A small independent shoe shop can’t easily outrank Nike using traditional SEO alone but it can still appear in Position Zero in AI Search if it provides the best, most structured answer to a specific question.

Why is AEO a Game-Changer for Small Businesses?

The Changing Search Landscape

For years, SEO has been a challenge for small businesses because search engines favoured big brands with:

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  • Long-standing domain authority – Older, trusted websites ranked higher.

  • Large backlink networks – Corporate PR teams earned more links.

  • Higher traffic volumes – Bigger brands naturally attracted more visitors.

  • Dedicated SEO teams – Large budgets meant constant content updates.

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AEO levels the playing field by shifting focus from rankings to answers, meaning even a small business can compete by delivering high-quality, structured responses.

How Does AEO Helps Small Businesses Compete?

AEO prioritises relevance over size. A small business can appear in featured snippets or voice search without needing a huge SEO budget - just by creating clear, well-structured content.

Why is this important?

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How Do Search Engines Provide Instant Answers?

Unlike traditional SEO that ranks web pages, AEO helps Google deliver direct answers instantly using:

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Size Doesn't Matter!

You don’t need a massive website – Even small businesses can rank.

Voice Search

Voice search is growing – AEO makes content AI-friendly.

Featured Snippits

Featuring in these builds credibility – Position Zero makes you the authority.

It's the Future

Get ahead of the curve. Future-proofing your content  - AI-driven search is evolving fast.

AEO vs SEO: What's the Difference?

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Example:
If someone searches “Best running shoes for beginners”

 

  • SEO ranks a webpage about running shoes.

  • AEO ensures your content appears in Position Zero as a featured snippet.

How Do I Optimise For AEO?

Structure Headings

When creating your page layouts - use clear headings (H1, H2, H3) – Organise content logically.

FAQ Sections

Optimise for FAQ & how-to formats – Google prefers structured content.

Answer Questions

Answer questions directly   -Google prioritises concise responses.

Schema

Implement Schema Markup – Helps search engines categorise your content.

Like You Speak

Use conversational language  - exactly as you do when you are talking. AI favours natural phrasing.

AEO Drawbacks: What You Should Know about Google Search

SEO Still Needed

Not all searches trigger featured snippets – Some queries still rely on traditional rankings, so SEO is still needed.

Fewer Clicks

Users may get answers directly from search results without visiting your website. As with traditional search.

Competition is Growing

More businesses are becoming optimised for AEO, making it harder to secure Position Zero.

Algorithm Dependence

Google’s AI and ranking rules change frequently, requiring ongoing updates.

AEO Drawbacks: AI Driven Search

Multiple Sources

Not all AI responses come from websites – AI models pull from multiple sources, including databases, structured knowledge, and previous conversations, so your content isn’t always credited.

Less Control

Less control over visibility – Unlike Google, where structured data helps boost ranking, AI search engines decide which sources to prioritise based on context, not just optimisation.

Competition Shifts

Competition shifts from rankings to authority – Instead of fighting for Position Zero, businesses need to become a trusted source that AI consistently references.

Lower Direct Engagement

AI-generated answers reduce direct engagement – Users may never visit your site if AI provides everything they need, making brand-building and direct relationships even more important.

What is Schema Markup & How Does It Work?

We talk a LOT about schema with relation to both AEO and SEO principles. It is an essential (one might say 'critical') ingredient. So much so we plan to do a guide on it. However, for the time being, here is a very brief explainer.

Schema Snapshot

Schema Markup is Google’s language for understanding your website better. It’s a special type of code (JSON-LD) that summarises the key details on a webpage, making it easier for search engines to feature your content in Position Zero, voice search, and rich snippets.

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You usually add Schema in the SEO settings of your website or place it in the header code of a page. It helps search engines quickly recognise what’s important - if it's an article, business details, FAQs, or reviews. It's almost a detailed summary of what is on the page as it includes images, video,  key headings etc.

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While not complicated, Schema takes a bit of practice. It’s all about structuring your content clearly and concisely, so search engines know exactly what’s on the page. Google even provides a free Schema Markup Testing Tool to check if your setup is correct.

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Too Techy? This is one of the most important 'technical' elements of website development so it's really helpful that this is also a service offered by us. If you don't want to DIY we can DIFU (Do it for you!). 

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Free AEO Tool Checkers

There are a lot out there. Here are just some of our favourites. Especially Google which has a lot of useful resources, all FREE!

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Here To Help

DIY: If you decide to manage your own AEO we hope this guide has proved useful. Let us know!

DIFY (Do it for you):As with everything, if you decide you don't want to manage this yourself,  we would be happy to help. We offer both AEO setup (in fact this is our normal approach to fully optimise your content as part of the recommended website development) and the ongoing maintenance.  Contact us today!

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More FAQs

Is AEO replacing SEO? No, AEO complements SEO by helping businesses rank for instant answers, rather than just web pages.

Can I optimise existing content for AEO? Yes! Reformat content, add FAQs, and use Schema Markup to improve visibility.

How do I find out what people are asking? Use tools like Google’s “People Also Ask”, Answer the Public, and keyword research platforms.

Can I do AEO myself, or do I need an expert? Yes, you can optimise for AEO yourself by following best practices like structuring content clearly, using FAQs, and implementing Schema Markup. However, AEO takes time, research, and ongoing adjustments, so if you want to fast-track results or ensure everything is done correctly, working with an expert can save you time and improve your chances of ranking in AI search and featured snippets.

Glossary of Terms (used on this page)

Featured Snippet:  A short answer displayed at the top of search results.

Long-Tail Keywords: Specific, detailed search phrases that match user intent.

Position Zero: The top search result, usually in a featured snippet.

Schema Markup: Structured data that helps search engines categorise content.

Voice Search Optimisation: Adapting content for spoken search queries.

FREE AEO Starter Checklist: Your Quick Guide to Smarter Search Visibility

The AEO Starter Checklist is a FREE practical, no-fuss guide to help you start optimising your content for Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO). It walks you through simple, effective steps to make your website’s content more searchable, more structured, and more likely to appear in featured snippets, AI search results, and voice searches.

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This Guide will really help those of you preparing fresh content for your new (or revamped) website. Simply complete the form provided and your downloadable PDF will be sent direct to your inbox.

FREE AEO Starter Checklist Guide

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