Be the answer when customers ask AI
Customers now ask ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity “who’s the best?” and get a short list back. AEO and GEO are how you get on that list.
Get a free AI visibility auditFAQHere are some well-reviewed options:
The short version
It is one thing: making sure AI tools name your business when customers ask for a recommendation.
The industry just hasn’t settled on a name, so you’ll hear all of these. They mean the same goal:
AEO = Answer Engine Optimization. GEO = Generative Engine Optimization. On this page we say “AEO/GEO.”
It builds on SEO. The goal shifts from “rank in a list of links” to “be named in the answer.”
What changed: ten links became one answer
Before: search results
The customer scans ads, maps and links, then picks. Competitors A, B and C get the clicks; page-one spots are hard to win. (Illustrative example.)
Now: one AI answer
Based on reviews and service details, these are top-rated Toronto plumbers:
The customer often stops here, and the AI answer is only a few names. If you are not named, you are not on the shortlist. (Illustrative example.)
How an AI answer gets built
1. Someone asks
“Best digital meat thermometer?” “Best plumber in Toronto?”
2. AI finds sources
It pulls from websites, reviews, listings and forums it can find and read.
3. AI writes the answer
It names the brands it finds clear, consistent and trustworthy.
No AI company publishes an exact formula, so we won’t pretend to know one. These are the patterns that matter in practice.
What AI looks for
Findable
Crawlable, indexable pages. Some tools use live web results.
Clear answers
Plain facts, descriptive headings and FAQs it can quote.
Consistent
Same name, details and specs everywhere you appear.
Trusted by others
Reviews, press, forums and links from reputable sites.
Labeled
Structured data tells machines what a page is about.
Current
Up-to-date info, so old or wrong details are not repeated.
SEO vs AEO/GEO
Not rivals. SEO gets you found. AEO/GEO gets you quoted.
| SEO | AEO / GEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Rank in the list | Be named in the answer |
| Customer sees | Ten links | One written answer |
| Content | Keyword-focused pages | Direct answers, facts, comparisons, FAQs |
| Measured by | Rankings and clicks | Whether and how AI mentions you |
For product brands: where AI gets its product info
If you sell through Amazon or Home Depot, AI tools answering “best digital thermometer” mix several sources. You do not control most of them, but you control one.
What we’d build on your site
- Complete product pages: specs, accuracy, certifications
- Buying guides that answer real shopper questions
- Product and FAQ structured data
What we’d keep consistent
- Model names and specs across retailers and your site
- Genuine customer reviews
- Mentions on trusted independent sites
What Cadiente Digital does
Check
We ask the questions your customers ask across the main AI tools and record where you show up.
Fix
Technical SEO and structured data so AI and search engines can read your site.
Create
Answer-ready pages, comparisons and FAQs built from real customer questions.
Measure
We re-run the checks and report what changed.
No one can guarantee placement in an AI tool. We improve what you control and measure the result. See the SEO for AI service.
We ranked a Toronto business #1 on Gemini and ChatGPT.
Snap ‘n Sweet, a Toronto-based 360 photobooth company, needed more than just a Google ranking. By applying our GEO strategy (AI-optimized content, advanced technical SEO, and entity-driven topical authority) we positioned them to be the first result AI assistants recommend when users search for photobooths in Toronto.
Read the full case study →Frequently asked questions
Why does it have so many names?
It’s one idea with several labels. People call it AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AI SEO or AI search optimization. Some people stress slightly different tools, such as answer boxes versus chatbots, but the goal is the same: getting your business named in AI-generated answers. We use AEO/GEO as one term for all of it.
Is AEO/GEO replacing SEO?
No. Most AI search tools rely on web content that search engines can already find and trust, and Google has said that pages need to be indexable and useful to appear in AI features. Strong SEO is still the foundation. AEO/GEO adds a layer on top: making your information easy for AI systems to find, understand and quote.
Can you guarantee my brand will be recommended by ChatGPT or Google AI Overviews?
No, and be cautious of anyone who does. AI answers change from one question to the next and from one day to the next, and no one outside these companies controls them. What we can do is improve the things within your control and measure how your brand shows up before and after.
How do I know if AI tools already mention my brand?
The most direct way is to ask. We test a set of realistic questions your customers would ask across the main AI tools and record whether your brand appears, how it is described, which sources are cited, and which competitors are named instead. This is a good starting point for a free audit.
We sell through Home Depot and Amazon. Does our own website matter?
Yes. AI tools often pull from retailer listings, but they also draw on manufacturer sites, review articles and forums. Your own site is the one place where you control the full, accurate product story: specifications, comparisons, use cases and answers to common questions. A consistent, well-structured brand site gives AI tools a reliable source to quote.
How long does it take to see results?
It varies by site and category, and we do not promise a timeline. Some changes, such as clearer answers and structured data, can be picked up within weeks, while building trust and third-party mentions takes longer. We track progress with repeat checks so you can see what is moving.
What does it cost to get started?
A free SEO audit is the first step. It shows where your site stands for search and AI visibility, and we give you a short list of priorities with no obligation.
See how AI describes your brand today
Our free audit checks your search rankings, technical issues and how your brand shows up in AI answers. You get a short, prioritized list. No hard sell.
Get your free audit