SEO vs AEO vs GEO: which one does your business need?

Search has split into three places: Google results, AI answers inside Google, and chat assistants like ChatGPT. Each needs a slightly different approach.

SEO

Gets your pages ranked in Google's regular results and on Maps. Still the foundation, because AI tools read the same web.

AEO

Shapes your content into clear answers so Google's AI Overviews, featured snippets and voice assistants quote you.

GEO

Builds the mentions and trust signals that make ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity recommend you by name.

The honest answer

Most businesses need all three working together. Starting with SEO alone in 2026 leaves you invisible where more and more customers ask.