It’s probably one of the most common questions I’ve received from clients this Winter, “How can we get AI to recommend our brand?”
Short answer: Focus on creating clear, helpful, trustworthy content that answers your customers’ questions and structure it so both Google and AI tools can easily use it.
The slightly longer answer? That means thinking about three ways people discover your business online: SEO, AEO, and GEO.
The good news? You don’t need three separate marketing strategies to get it right. The best approach for small businesses is to understand how these three work together so you can show up everywhere your customers are searching.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
SEO, AEO, GEO: The Quick Translation
| Term | In Plain English | Where You See It |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | Making sure your website shows up when people search for your products/services on Google. | The “blue links” on Google. |
| AEO | Answer Engine Optimisation – writing content that appears as a direct answer to a question. | Google’s “People Also Ask,” featured snippets, AI Overviews, and voice assistants. |
| GEO | Generative Engine Optimisation – getting your content picked up by AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Perplexity. | AI-generated answers and recommendations. |
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
Think of it like this:
- SEO is when someone searches “best coffee shop in Newcastle” and your café shows up in the top 3 results.
- AEO is when Google just tells them “The best coffee shop in Newcastle is…” and lists you without the click.
- GEO is when they ask ChatGPT “Where can I get the best coffee in Newcastle?” and you’re cafe is mentioned in the answer.
Your goal? Be the business that shows up in all three places.
Because the way people search is changing fast:
- Features like Google’s AI-generated answer snippets and overviews now appear in 47%-58% of Google results, and up to 60% of searches are completed without clicking through to a website.
- Organic web traffic from search has dropped by 15%-25% due to these AI-assisted outcomes.
- Gartner even predicts that by 2026, traditional Google searches will drop by 25% as more people turn to AI tools instead.
5 Practical Ways to Win at SEO, AEO & GEO
The strategies below work across all three — meaning one piece of effort goes a long way.
1. Answer Real Customer Questions
- Create blog posts, FAQ sections, or short videos answering the questions people actually ask you.
- If you’re a plumber, that might be:
- “How much does it cost to fix a blocked drain in Newcastle?”
- “Can you fix a burst pipe on a weekend?”
- Add these Q&As to your website’s FAQ page with proper schema markup so search engines and AI can find them easily.
2. Lead With the Short Answer, Then Add Detail
- AEO loves a direct answer in the first sentence.
- SEO loves detail, examples, and related info.
- Combine both: give the short answer first, then explain the “why” or “how.”
- Example: Q: How long does a wine tasting take?
A: Most wine tastings run for 45–60 minutes. (Then add more info about what’s included, how to book, best time to visit, etc.)
3. Get Your Name in the Sources AI Uses
- AI tools often pull from trusted lists, directories, and articles.
- Find the ones ranking for “best [your service] in [your city]” and make sure you’re listed.
- If you’re not? Reach out and ask to be included — sometimes that one email can land you a spot in both Google and ChatGPT recommendations.
4. Be Where the Conversations Are
- Don’t limit yourself to your own website. AI crawls multiple platforms, including forums and Q&A sites.
- Share helpful answers on Reddit, Quora, and LinkedIn groups (linking to your site when relevant).
- Join local Facebook groups — if someone asks for a recommendation and you (or a happy customer) chime in, you’re building the digital footprint AI uses to “trust” you.
5. Keep Your Best Pages Fresh
- Review your top service/product pages and best-performing blog posts every 6–12 months.
- Add new stats, images, reviews, or tips so they stay relevant.
- Google and AI both favour up-to-date content when deciding what to feature.
The Slight Differences You Should Know
- SEO tends to reward longer, more in-depth content that covers a topic fully.
- AEO prefers short, clear answers (especially near the top of the page).
- GEO leans on content that’s already trusted and cited elsewhere.
The trick is blending these:
Start with the short answer, follow with a detailed explanation, and sprinkle in original insights or data that others don’t have.
Bottom Line
You don’t need to chase three different strategies — just one solid approach that works in all search experiences:
- Be helpful – answer real questions your customers are asking.
- Be clear – use plain language and direct answers.
- Be in more places than one – show up on your site, in directories, and in conversations.
Do that consistently, and you’ll be visible whether someone’s searching Google, scrolling AI Overviews, or asking ChatGPT for a recommendation.
Need help getting your business ready for SEO, AEO, and GEO?
At Method Marketing, we specialise in small business-friendly strategies that work across search, AI, and beyond. We can help you turn those questions your customers are asking into traffic, leads, and sales.
