Modern SEO Services: AEO and GEO in the New Search Landscape
Users no longer want to scroll through a list of ten websites, open multiple tabs, compare information, and spend time searching for an answer. That behavior model, which shaped the internet for decades, is quickly becoming outdated.
Today, expectations are different: ask a question and get a clear, ready-to-use answer right away.
That is exactly how the new generation of search works, powered by large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini and AI Overviews. Instead of simply showing a list of sources, these systems analyze information, select what is most relevant, and generate one consolidated response.
This fundamentally changes the rules of the game. If businesses used to compete for positions in search results, they are now competing for something much more important: the chance to become part of the answer itself.
And this is exactly where classic SEO stops being enough.
Being “at the top” no longer guarantees that users will see you. If your content is not being used by AI in the answer shown to the user, you effectively do not exist.
Large Language Models (LLMs): Who Is shaping answers instead of Google
To understand how to appear in AI-generated answers, you first need to understand who is actually creating them.
Today, that role belongs to large language models (LLMs) — systems that:
- analyze the query
- understand the context
- find the relevant information
- and generate a ready-made answer
| Platform | Type of response | Sources | Format | What matters for visibility |
| ChatGPT | summarized answers + sometimes sources | LLM + web (optional) | conversation | brand, content, mentions |
| Gemini / AI Overviews | short answers in search | web + Google index | block in the SERP | SEO + AEO |
| Claude | analytical answers | LLM (less web-based) | text | high-quality content |
| Copilot | answers + links | Bing index | chat + SERP | SEO + Bing |
| Perplexity | answers with sources | web-first | list of sources | mentions + authority |
The key players in this space include:
– OpenAI (ChatGPT)
– Google (Gemini, AI Overviews)
– Anthropic (Claude)
– Microsoft (Copilot)
– Perplexity AI (Perplexity)
OpenAI (ChatGPT): How it works and how to appear there
ChatGPT is an AI assistant powered by large language models (LLMs) that generates answers to user queries in a conversational format.
Unlike traditional search, it:
– does not show a list of websites
– does not make the user choose
– generates the answer itself
How does ChatGPT work?
In practice, it becomes an intermediary between the user and your content.
| Parameter | How it works |
| Type of response | summarized text, recommendations, explanations |
| Sources | LLM + (sometimes) web search |
| Format | conversation |
| Logic | selects the “best answer,” not the website |
| Brand visibility | through mentions and context |
How ChatGPT works and why it changes the rules of visibility
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is fundamentally different from traditional search engines. It does not simply find information — it interprets it, combines it from different sources, and generates a single answer for the user.
This means that simply having a website, or even ranking highly in search, no longer guarantees visibility. Your content may be used to shape the answer, but the user may never even see that. At the same time, in some cases the model mentions a brand directly, and that gives the company a much stronger effect — trust before the user even visits the website.
Within this logic, it is important to understand what kind of content actually has a chance of appearing in ChatGPT’s answers.
What content appears in ChatGPT answers?
The model does not prioritize content just because it is optimized for keywords. It tends to favor content that responds to real user needs and real user phrasing. Context matters first. That means situations, problems, and wording people actually use in everyday life. The closer your text is to a real query, the higher the chance it will be used.
Brand mentions are just as important. ChatGPT does not rely on a single website — it treats the internet as one connected environment. Articles, reviews, forums, rankings — all of this shapes the overall perception of a brand. If a company appears across different sources, the chances of being included in an answer increase significantly.
Expertise also plays a major role. Content backed by real experience, case studies, and facts is more likely to be used than generic text without specifics. The model aims to provide not just an answer, but an answer users can trust.
Useful articles:
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Clarity matters too. Simple wording and a clear structure significantly increase the chances that a fragment will be “pulled” into an answer. Overly complex or overloaded texts usually lose.
Another important factor is multi-source presence. When a brand is mentioned in different places and across different formats, the model tends to see it as more trustworthy and is more likely to include it in answers.
How do you get into ChatGPT answers in practice?
In practice, this means changing the way you approach content and promotion. First, you need to work on brand mentions. It is not just about backlinks — the very fact that your brand appears in articles, roundups, and discussions matters. Formats like service lists or recommendation articles tend to work especially well.
Second, content should be created around real user queries, not abstract keywords. Instead of broad phrases, it is better to use complete questions people actually ask. For example, not just “CRM system,” but “which CRM is best for a small business?”
Third, the format of the text itself should be easy to use. Short, clear blocks, structured answers, and FAQs all make it much easier for the model to extract the right fragment.
Another key point is topic coverage. One article is no longer as effective as it used to be. You need to build a content ecosystem where different materials cover different aspects of the same query.
It is also important to be present across different channels. Your website is only part of the picture. Social media, video, and external publications all help build the overall signal the model relies on.
How can you use ChatGPT as a tool?
It is also worth looking at ChatGPT not only as a channel, but as a practical tool. It can be used to check your own visibility, test queries, and analyze how answers are formed in your niche.
It also helps identify weak points in your content, shape the structure of materials, and better understand which wording works in real answers.
ChatGPT does not show a list of websites or leave the choice to the user. It decides for itself what information to use and how to present it.
In this new reality, the winner is not the one who ranks in search, but the one whose content becomes part of the answer. If the material is clear, expert-driven, and supported by mentions across different sources, it has a much better chance of being used and influencing the user’s decision.
How do Google Gemini and AI Overviews work, and how can you appear there?
Google is gradually changing the very logic of search by integrating AI into the search results. One of the key elements of this shift is AI Overviews — blocks with ready-made answers that appear above the traditional search results.
How is a Google AI answer generated?
When a user enters a query, the system identifies the search intent and analyzes the most relevant pages from its index. It then selects key fragments, combines them, and generates an answer in the form of a compact text block.
In this process, an important role is played by:
- how relevant the page is to the query
- the structure of the content
- the authority of the source
- the clarity of the wording
As a result, the user sees not just a list of websites, but a ready-made conclusion built from several sources.
What kind of content appears in AI Overviews?
Google tends to prioritize content that is easy to interpret and quick to use when generating an answer.
The best-performing materials are the ones that:
- clearly answer a specific question
- have a clear structure with subheadings
- include short answer-focused blocks
- use simple and precise language
- are supported by facts or examples
Formats such as FAQs, how-to guides, comparisons, and lists are especially effective. These are exactly the kinds of blocks the system most often uses to build its answers.
Users no longer always click through to a website to find information. In many cases, they get a short, summarized, ready-made answer directly in search. This is especially noticeable for informational and commercial queries where the answer can be given right away.
What affects visibility in Google AI
Appearing in AI Overviews is directly connected to classic SEO, but it comes with its own nuances. Some factors remain foundational, while others become especially important specifically for AI-generated answers.
| Category | Factors | What it means in practice |
| Core SEO factors | page indexation | the page must be crawlable and included in the index |
| Core SEO factors | technical quality of the site | no major errors, proper structure, clean code |
| Core SEO factors | loading speed | faster pages have a better chance of being used |
| Core SEO factors | mobile optimization | the site must work properly on mobile devices |
| AI-specific factors | structured content | clear logic, headings, and content broken into blocks |
| AI-specific factors | clear answers in the text | short, clear phrasing that can be easily extracted |
| AI-specific factors | alignment with user intent | the content answers a specific query, not just the topic in general |
| AI-specific factors | content expertise | facts, real experience, and case studies are present |
Google effectively selects the pages that are best suited to generate a short and accurate answer. That is why classic SEO still remains the foundation, but without adapting content to the answer-first format, it is no longer enough.
How do you get into AI Overviews in practice?
To increase your chances of appearing in AI blocks, you need to change the way you approach content creation.
First, you need to work not only with keywords, but with full user queries. Content should answer specific questions, not just include relevant phrases.
Second, it is important to structure the material clearly. Each section should answer a separate sub-question and be self-contained. This makes it easier for the system to extract the right fragment.
Third, it is worth adding short-answer blocks. These are the parts of the text most often used in search results.
It is also useful to add structured data, especially FAQ and HowTo markup. This helps algorithms understand the page structure more clearly.
Finally, it is important to keep content up to date. Updated materials are more likely to appear in answers than outdated ones.
Microsoft Copilot: A hybrid of search and AI answers
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant powered by Bing and integrated into Edge, Windows, and other products within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its key feature is that it does not replace search, but complements it.
The user gets both formats at once: on the one hand, a ready-made answer, and on the other, a list of sources they can click through to. This approach combines familiar search behavior with a new AI-driven experience.
| Parameter | How it works |
| Type of response | summarized text with explanation |
| Sources | Bing index |
| Format | chat + search results |
| Logic | a combination of classic SEO and AI |
| Brand visibility | through Bing rankings and content relevance |
Copilot remains one of the most SEO-dependent AI tools. That means high-quality site optimization, the right page structure, and content relevance directly affect whether a website will be used in the response.
In this model, the winners are websites that both rank well in Bing and contain clear, easy-to-understand fragments that can be used to generate an answer.
Perplexity AI: Search that shows sources right away
Perplexity AI is an AI search engine that combines generative answers with a transparent source system. Its main difference is that it does not just generate an answer — it immediately shows where that answer comes from.
The user gets a summarized result, but at the same time sees the list of websites that were used. This makes Perplexity one of the clearest and most predictable tools when it comes to visibility.
| Parameter | How it works |
| Type of response | summarized text with links |
| Sources | web-first (live search) |
| Format | answer + list of sources |
| Logic | selects the most relevant pages in real time |
| Brand visibility | through content quality and source authority |
Perplexity works very close to traditional search, but with a new answer format. This means that content quality and SEO directly influence whether a page will be used as a source.
At the same time, expertise and trust are becoming more important. Websites with clear answers, structured content, and a strong reputation have a better chance of appearing in responses.
Perplexity is also useful as a visibility indicator: if your website regularly appears among the sources, it means your content is well suited for AI and may also be used by other systems.
Example of a prompt for Perplexity
To understand whether your brand appears in AI-generated answers, it is important to use not generic prompts, but contextual, natural ones that are as close as possible to real user behavior.
Here is a working example:
I’m looking for an agency for SEO and AI search visibility (ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews).
It is important that they have experience in GEO/AEO, case studies, and work with international markets.
Which companies would you recommend, and why?
Why does this prompt work?
This type of prompt:
- expresses a clear need
- adds context (AI, GEO, case studies)
- pushes the model to give recommendations rather than general information
These are exactly the kinds of prompts where brands start to appear, real AI visibility is formed, and you can check whether the system actually “knows” your brand.
Modern SEO services: How AEO and GEO emerged
Search has changed, and with it, the approach to visibility and promotion has changed as well.
For a long time, classic SEO was built around one main goal: bringing users to a website through search results. But in a world where answers are increasingly delivered without a click, that is no longer enough.
Today, businesses need to be present not only in the list of results, but in the answer itself. This is exactly where new directions like AEO and GEO come in.
What are AEO and GEO in the context of SEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing content for systems that generate direct answers. Its goal is to make your content the one used as the answer in search or in AI-generated blocks.
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is a broader approach. It goes beyond website content and includes your brand’s overall presence across the web. Its goal is not just for AI to use your information, but for it to mention your brand directly in its answers.
These two approaches solve different, but closely connected, tasks. AEO focuses on the format of the answer, while GEO focuses on brand trust and visibility in the AI environment.
Why is classic SEO no longer enough?
Even if a website ranks highly in search, that no longer guarantees the user will see it. In many cases, AI generates the answer before the person even reaches the list of results.
In this model, it is not just optimized pages that win, but pages that:
- contain clear answers
- match real user intent
- have a strong enough level of trust and brand mentions
These are exactly the factors at the core of AEO and GEO.
How do SEO, AEO, and GEO work together?
A modern visibility strategy is no longer limited to a single channel. It works as a system:
- SEO ensures content visibility and accessibility
- AEO helps your content appear in answers
- GEO builds brand presence in AI environments
These are not separate tools, but a logical continuation of one another. Without strong SEO fundamentals, it is difficult to get into AI’s field of view. Without AEO, it is difficult to become the answer. And without GEO, it is difficult to be recommended.
Modern SEO services are no longer limited to optimization for search engines alone. They are evolving into a broader approach that includes content, answers, and brand reputation.
AEO and GEO are not just a trend — they represent a new level of competition, where it is no longer enough to be found. You also need to be chosen.
How we do AEO + GEO at RegisTeam
Not theory. Here is what we actually do to help a brand appear in AI-generated answers.
Scenarios instead of keywords
Before (SEO):
- buy CRM
- CRM system
After (AEO / GEO):
- Which CRM is best for a small business with no technical experience?
- What should a small team choose to automate sales?
👉 What we do:
- rewrite semantics into question-based formats
- add context: who it is for, what it is needed for, and what problem it solves
What a proper AEO block looks like
❌ Weak example:
A CRM is a system for managing customers that helps businesses…
✅ Strong example:
- Which CRM is best for a small business?
- For a small team, the best option is usually a simple CRM with fast setup — for example, one that does not require complex integrations and already includes basic analytics.
👉 What we do:
- 1 question = 1 answer
- the answer should be easy to extract and reuse
How we “teach” AI to mention the brand
| Action | Example |
| We publish articles | “Top SEO agencies for AI visibility” |
| We build mentions | “RegisTeam specializes in GEO” |
| We add context | “works with AI Overviews and ChatGPT” |
| We repeat it | across different sources |
👉 Pro tip: AI tends to respond better to repeated mentions with consistent positioning.
Content AI actually picks up
We do not write articles — we write answers.
The formula:
Question
↓
Short answer
↓
Expansion
↓
Example
An example of page transformation
Before:
“SEO promotion services”
After:
- What are SEO, AEO, and GEO?
- When does a business need GEO?
- What type of promotion works for AI?
- What strategy should you choose in 2026?
👉 Result: the page starts covering AI-driven queries.
How do we measure the result?
We do not look at traffic alone.
We check:
– whether AI mentions the brand:
– whether the content appears in AI-generated answers
– whether the number of recommendations is growing
If you want to understand whether your business is already appearing in AI-generated answers, we can run an audit and show you:
- where you appear in ChatGPT / Google AI
- where you do not
- and what needs to change to help you get there
👉 Contact us, and you’ll get a clear plan tailored to your business — not generic advice.
How can you track traffic from ChatGPT and other AI search engines in Google Analytics 4?
GA4 can identify referrals from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI platforms when referrer information is available. However, visits from Google AI Overviews are generally grouped with Google organic search traffic. Some AI-driven visits may also appear without an identifiable referral source.
Should you allow AI crawlers to access your website for GEO optimization?
For AI systems that use web search, content accessibility can affect whether a website can be retrieved and used as a source. Businesses should review their robots.txt settings to ensure relevant search engine and AI crawlers are not unintentionally blocked. Allowing crawling does not guarantee inclusion in AI-generated answers.
How can you optimize an e-commerce website for AI search and ChatGPT recommendations?
Make sure product specifications, prices, availability, delivery terms, and return policies are accurate and accessible. Product and Offer structured data help search engines interpret product information. Detailed descriptions, product comparisons, and answers to specific customer questions can provide additional value.
Is GEO optimization suitable for local businesses?
Yes, local businesses can improve their presence in AI recommendations for location-specific searches. An accurate Google Business Profile, consistent contact details, relevant local landing pages, and mentions from reputable regional sources can help establish a stronger local online presence.
How should you optimize a multilingual website for AEO and GEO in international markets?
Each target market requires content adapted to local search queries, language preferences, and service-specific needs. Proper hreflang implementation, localized content, and consistent brand information help search engines identify relevant language versions. Simply translating keywords word for word is not sufficient for effective optimization.
What should you do if ChatGPT or Gemini provides incorrect information about your business?
Start by checking the accuracy of information on your official website, business profiles, and third-party sources. Outdated or conflicting details should be corrected, and inaccurate AI-generated responses can be reported through the platforms’ feedback mechanisms. However, these actions do not guarantee immediate changes to AI responses.
