Every other week there’s a new acronym thrown around in digital marketing. We started with good old SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and before we’d even finished our flat white, AEO popped up. Then came GEO. Now we’ve got LLMO on the scene. It’s like playing Scrabble blindfolded.
But behind the alphabet soup lies a genuine shift in how people discover content online. Whether you’re running an online store in Melbourne, a law office in Sydney or a family-run café in Adelaide, these changes matter.
Why? Because people aren’t just “Googling” anymore. They’re asking Siri, Alexa or AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini to deliver quick, direct answers. If your business isn’t optimised for these new answer engines and AI platforms, you might not even make it onto their radar, let alone the results.
That’s where AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation), GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and LLMO (Large Language Model Optimisation) come in. They’re not gimmicks, they’re the evolution of SEO and they’re critical if you want to stay visible in today’s AI-driven search world.
Why Traditional SEO Isn’t Cutting It Anymore
Back in the day, SEO was fairly straightforward: add your keywords, get a few backlinks and watch your rankings rise.
But not anymore. Here’s why the old ways aren’t enough:
Zero-click searches are taking over: More than half of all Google searches now end without a single click. People get their answers directly on the results page or from an AI-generated summary.
Voice assistants and chatbots are the new gatekeepers: Aussies are asking, “Where’s the best Thai in Newcastle?” and getting instant voice replies. If your business isn’t in that answer, you’re missing out.
AI search tools like Google’s AI Overviews and Microsoft Copilot are rewriting how users consume info: These platforms grab snippets from multiple websites and serve up a neat little summary, often without sending users anywhere.
So even if you’re sitting at number one on Google, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be the source AI engines use.
Decoding the Acronyms
AEO: Answer Engine Optimisation
AEO is about making sure your content is the answer. When someone asks, “What’s the difference between a latte and a flat white?” you want the AI to serve up your explanation.
How to optimise for AEO:
- Use a question-and-answer format
- Create helpful FAQs and lists
- Write conversationally
- Cover multiple related questions, not just one
Whether you’re a small café or a local tradie, AEO can help you appear in tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing Copilot when someone searches using natural language.
GEO: Generative Engine Optimisation
GEO takes it one step further. Instead of just answering questions, you want AI to reference your business in its summaries.
Imagine someone asks, “Where’s the best place to get solar panels in Brisbane?” The AI doesn’t just give a quick reply, it offers a comparison. You want your name in there.
How to optimise for GEO:
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- Use bullet points, short paragraphs and clear formatting
- Add schema markup (FAQ, Product, HowTo etc.)
- Include trust-building elements like citations, author bios and updated info
This is about building your digital footprint so AI platforms start recognising you as an authority. For local businesses, pairing GEO strategies with affordable local seo services can multiply the effect, ensuring your presence in both AI summaries and traditional searches.
LLMO: Large Language Model Optimisation
This one’s a bit more technical but absolutely worth knowing. LLMO is about making your content and website AI-friendly so that large language models like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can understand and recall it easily.
Tips for LLMO:
- Use structured data and schema like JSON-LD
- Implement an llms.txt file for AI crawlers (like robots.txt but for language models)
- Establish strong entity relationships so AI understands that “Bondi Beach” is a location, not just a collection of words
- Write in natural language, mimicking how people actually speak
Think of it as making your site more readable for AI so it knows when and how to use your content. Many businesses partner with an experienced seo agency in Geelong or similar local experts to handle the technical aspects of LLMO alongside broader SEO campaigns.
But Isn’t This Just SEO With New Labels?
In a way, yes. This is SEO, but modernised.
- SEO was built for search engines like Google
- AEO is for answer engines like Siri or ChatGPT
- GEO is for generative models writing summaries
- LLMO is for making sure AI understands your content
It’s not about scrapping SEO, it’s about evolving it. The businesses that adapt now will be the ones leading the charge tomorrow.
Real-World Steps to Get AI-Ready
Here’s how you can start making your content more AI-friendly without getting a degree in data science:
1. Answer Questions People Are Asking
- Use H2 and H3 headers with real questions
- Provide clear, direct answers underneath
2. Implement Schema Markup
- Use FAQPage, HowTo, Product and Organisation schemas to give AI more context
3. Build Authority
- Keep your content fresh and cite reliable sources
- Add credentials, author bios and local references
4. Write for Voice Search
Use conversational, natural language like, “Where can I get a good pie near Geelong?” instead of robotic phrases
5. Consider Professional Support
- If this feels a bit much, AI SEO services or GEO specialists can handle the technical bits for you
What You’ll See with AI-Focused Content
Here’s what happens when you embrace AEO, GEO and LLMO:
- Fewer clicks, more visibility: You’ll be quoted more, even if people don’t visit your site directly
- Better voice search rankings: Perfect for smart speaker queries at home
- Increased credibility: Being referenced by AI boosts trust among consumers
- It’s not just about traffic anymore. It’s about presence where people actually look for answers.
Final Thoughts
AEO, GEO and LLMO might sound like a pop band from the ’90s, but they’re actually the next chapter in digital visibility. If you’re creating structured, helpful and human-focused content, and making it easier for AI to understand you, you’re already halfway there. It’s no longer just about ranking on Google, it’s about being the answer. And when done right, that’s how your business stays ahead, no matter how many acronyms come next.