What is AEO? How Small Businesses Can Get Found in AI Search

A futuristic female android (representing AEO) faces off against a warrior woman (representing traditional SEO) in an intense standoff. This visual symbolises the shift from conventional SEO, which relies on rankings and backlinks, to AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation), where AI-driven search tools prioritise direct, structured answers. The image highlights the battle for online visibility in the evolving search landscape, as discussed in the article. — AEO versus traditional SEO - who will win?

So, what is AEO exactly?

Ever asked Siri, ChatGPT, or Alexa a question and got an instant answer? That’s AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) in action.

Unlike SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), which ranks web pages in traditional search engines, AEO helps AI-powered tools pull the best answer - so your business is the one that gets found.

The problem?

Big brands dominate SEO, leaving smaller businesses buried in search results.

The opportunity?

AI search doesn’t rely on backlinks or paid ads - it prioritises clear, structured answers.

The solution?

Structuring your website so AI tools feature your business in voice searches and direct AI-driven results.

AEO isn’t the future - it’s already happening. Businesses that adapt now will win visibility, new customers, and long-term growth.

Robot and woman in office setting, reviewing a document together. Vase of daisies on table. "SEO Results" text on screen in background. Showing AEO giving direct answers to the business women as noted in the blog.

What is SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and How Does It Work?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of optimising a website so it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), like Google.

SEO works by aligning website content with search engine ranking factors such as:

Keywords – Using specific words and phrases that people search for (e.g., “best marketing consultant in Yorkshire”).
Backlinks – Other websites linking to your site, increasing its authority and credibility.
Page speed & user experience – Faster-loading, mobile-friendly websites rank better.
Meta descriptions & structured data – Specific content and code helping search engines understand what your content is about.

What’s the Problem with SEO for Small Businesses?

SEO has been the dominant force in online search for years, but it’s not a level playing field.

Big businesses have entire SEO teams – They constantly tweak their content, build backlinks, and outspend competitors.
Paid ads dominate search results – Even if you rank organically, large companies can pay to appear above you.
SEO is slow & expensive – It can take months or even years to see results, and SEO agencies charge thousands ££ to manage campaigns.

For smaller businesses, this means fighting an uphill battle against companies with bigger budgets and more resources.

But now, AI-powered search is changing the rules.

Woman in business attire rides a red rocket labeled "PPC" over a mountain of SEO how to books. Another woman stands ready to jump Sky background. This represents how large corporates are able to get ahead of the small business woman in the SEO battle because of large PPC budgets. — Small businesses are often unable to compete with large corporate budgets.

What is AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation), and How is It Different from SEO?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is the process of structuring website content so AI-powered search tools - like ChatGPT, Siri, and Google Assistant - can easily extract and display your business as a direct answer to a user’s question.

Instead of competing for Google rankings, AEO ensures your business is referenced directly in AI-generated search responses.

SEO vs. AEO: Key Differences

Comparison table of SEO vs AEO features, goals, workings, advantages, speed, voice search optimization, and ad requirements. Dark background.

How Does AEO Help Small Businesses Compete?

Unlike SEO, which favours companies with big budgets and long-standing authority, AEO gives small businesses a real opportunity to be featured.

Here’s how AEO levels the playing field:

No Need for Expensive SEO Campaigns – AEO prioritises answer-driven content over backlinks and paid ads.
Direct Visibility Without Ranking Battles – AI assistants pull from trusted, well-structured sources, meaning small businesses can be featured over bigger brands.
Voice Search & AI-Driven Discovery – Optimising for conversational, natural questions increases the chances of being surfaced in voice searches (e.g., “Best business consultant in Yorkshire”).

A robot and woman in warrior attire stand confidently in a city street. The robot has "AEO" on it. Bright daylight, flowers in foreground. The robot is surging ahead and is intended to represent how in the AEO SEO battle AEO is the champion for small businesses, as outlined in the blog. — So for small businesses AEO is definitely winning the battle.

How I Build Websites That Take Advantage of AEO

Every website I build is designed to work with AI-powered search tools, ensuring your business is featured when potential customers are looking for answers.

✔ Designed for UK businesses – Whether you’re a London-based consultant, a Leeds florist, or a Brighton café owner, your site will be structured to appear in UK-specific searches.

✔ AEO tailored for women in business – Many of my clients are women running their own businesses, whether they’re starting out, growing their audience, or repositioning after a career change.

✔ Optimising for Voice Search – AI search tools thrive on natural language and spoken queries.

✔ FAQs That Get You Found – AI search relies heavily on frequently asked questions (FAQs).

How do I optimise my website for AEO?

Write conversational content
Include FAQs & direct answers
Use local search terms naturally
Apply schema markup to structure data **

** Not the easiest of subjects - watch for our 'how to' coming soon.

Your Next Step: Future-Proof Your Website

If your website isn’t structured for AI search, you’re already missing a great opportunity.

Want to be featured in AI search? Let’s talk about making your website AI-ready now.

Get In Touch Today

Glossary of Terms

Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO): The process of optimising content for AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): The traditional approach to ranking web pages on search engines like Google, using keywords, backlinks, and meta data.

Schema Markup: A coding structure added to websites that helps search engines understand and categorise content better.

Backlinks: Links from other websites pointing to yours, a key ranking factor in SEO.

Voice Search: AI-driven search using spoken commands, common on mobile and smart speakers.

GEO-Search: Search results tailored to a user’s location, like “Best café in Leeds”.

FAQs: Quick Reference Guide

What is AEO?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is a strategy that helps AI-powered search tools extract and display answers directly when users ask questions via ChatGPT, Siri, or Alexa.

How is AEO different from SEO?

SEO ranks web pages in Google. AEO structures content so AI search tools pull your business into direct responses.

Is SEO still important?

Yes, but AI search is growing fast. Businesses need to adapt for both traditional and AI-driven search to stay competitive.

White daisies with yellow centers on a bright pink background, symbolising resilience, growth, and simplicity—values that reflect my journey and approach to helping women in business build their online presence with confidence and creativity.