SEO vs AEO vs GEO

Where a small business should start

1. Make sure you can be crawled: Search and AI bots must reach your pages.
2. Write the answer first: On your main service and product pages.
3. Keep facts identical everywhere: Prices, hours, services, locations.
4. Measure: Search Console for SEO, and referral traffic from AI assistants for GEO.

What is the difference between SEO, AEO and GEO?

SEO aims to rank your pages in search results, AEO aims to have your content quoted as the direct answer, and GEO aims to have AI assistants find, trust and cite your business in AI-written answers. They build on each other rather than competing - crawlable, accurate, well-structured pages serve all three.

Is SEO dead because of AI search?

No - AI systems still rely on crawlable, well-structured, trustworthy pages. GEO and AEO add to SEO rather than replacing it. If anything, good SEO fundamentals make you more likely to show up in AI answers.

How do I get my business mentioned by ChatGPT and other AI assistants?

Make sure AI bots can crawl your pages, write your key service and product pages answer-first, and keep facts like prices, hours and locations identical everywhere. Then check whether AI assistants mention you for your key questions. Pludor's free GEO Audit shows you how AI search sees your page, with clear fixes.

Which should I do first - SEO, AEO or GEO?

Start with crawlability and accurate facts, since those help all three at once. Then rewrite your key pages answer-first, putting the direct answer at the top. That single work improves your ranking, your chances of being quoted, and your chances of being cited by AI.

How can I tell if AI assistants are sending me traffic?

Look for referral traffic from AI assistants in your analytics - that's the main measurable signal for GEO. You can also test whether ChatGPT, Perplexity or Gemini mention you when asked your key customer questions. Pludor's GEO Audit does this check for you and scores your page for generative search.

What does answer engine optimization actually mean in practice?

AEO means structuring your page so its content gets quoted as the direct answer, not just listed in results. In practice, you write the answer first on your main service and product pages, clearly and directly, so an answer engine can lift it. Pludor has a free AEO audit that checks whether your page is ready to be the answer.

How do I make my website easy for AI bots to crawl?

First check that both search and AI bots can reach your pages - nothing blocked, nothing hidden behind barriers. Keep your pages accurate and well-structured. Pludor's AI agent readiness audit can check whether an AI agent can actually read your site.

Do I need to keep my business info consistent for AI search?

Yes - keep facts like prices, hours, services and locations identical everywhere they appear. AI assistants compare sources and trust consistent, accurate information. Inconsistent details make it less likely they'll cite you confidently.

How do I measure SEO versus GEO results?

Use Search Console to measure SEO, and watch for referral traffic from AI assistants to measure GEO. For GEO you can also manually check whether AI assistants mention you for your key questions. Pludor's GEO Audit automates that check and gives your page a generative-search score.

Can a small business compete in AI search or is it only for big brands?

Yes, a small business can compete - AI assistants cite whoever has the crawlable, accurate, answer-first pages, not just the biggest brands. Start by fixing crawlability and facts, then rewrite your key pages. Pludor is built for exactly this: independent businesses get an AI-ready store plus free audits like the GEO Audit, and you can start free with no card needed.

Is SEO dead because of AI?

No - AI systems still rely on crawlable, well-structured, trustworthy pages. GEO and AEO add to SEO rather than replacing it.

Which should I do first?

Crawlability and accurate facts help all three; then rewrite your key pages answer-first.

Can I measure GEO?

Partly: look for referral traffic from AI assistants and check whether they mention you for your key questions.