What is AEO?

Answer Engine Optimisation focuses on the structured content patterns AI assistants reward when synthesising answers.

April 30, 2026 5 min read

Answer Engine Optimisation in plain English

AEO is the practice of structuring content so it can be lifted cleanly into an answer. Think question-led H2s, definition-first paragraphs, comparison tables, evidence callouts, and clear schema.

How AEO differs from GEO

GEO measures the outcome — does the AI mention you?
AEO is one of the levers — are you the easiest source for the AI to quote?

The patterns that win citations

Lead with a one-sentence answer.
Follow with structured evidence (lists, tables, comparisons).
Cite your sources visibly.
Mark the page up with appropriate schema (Article, FAQPage, HowTo, Product).

Where to apply it

Start with the pages your buyers ask about. Map each prompt to the page that best serves it, then rebuild that page around the answer pattern that wins for that prompt type.

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Written by

Ampli Editorial

The Ampli team

Field notes from the Ampli team — the operators, strategists and engineers building the answer-engine readiness platform for agencies and in-house teams.

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