What is SEO?
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is the work of making your website easy for search engines to read and useful for the people who find it.
It covers technical basics such as page speed and a mobile-friendly layout, clear page titles and descriptions, a sensible site structure, and content that answers what customers actually search for.
What is AEO?
Answer engine optimisation (AEO) aims to have your content used as the direct answer: the box at the top of Google results, the reply a voice assistant reads aloud, or a summary shown without a click.
Pages that answer one question clearly, with a short direct answer first and the detail after, are easier to use this way. FAQ sections and structured data help machines understand each question and its answer.
What is GEO?
Generative engine optimisation (GEO) is about being understood and mentioned by AI tools that write answers, such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity.
These tools read public web pages. Clear facts about who you are, what you offer and where you work, kept consistent across your website and online profiles, make it easier for them to describe you correctly. Pages that load without scripts, and a file such as llms.txt that points to your key pages, can also help.
Do you need all three?
Most businesses should start with the SEO basics, because AEO and GEO build on content that is clear, well structured and accurate.
No one can guarantee a ranking or an AI mention, because search engines and AI tools decide for themselves. Be careful with anyone who promises first place.