July 6, 2025 • 13 mins
The ground is shifting beneath our feet in the search landscape. What once was a straightforward game of keywords and backlinks has transformed into something far more complex – an AI-mediated information ecosystem that demands new strategies and understanding.
This episode dives deep into the critical difference between Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), two approaches that are no longer optional for anyone creating content online. Drawing on insights from technical SEO strategist Don Phelps, we unpack why the stakes are so high: "If your content isn't being selected and synthesized by AI, then your brand simply doesn't exist in that search experience."
We explore how AEO focuses on winning those coveted featured snippets and knowledge panels in traditional search, while GEO targets visibility within AI-generated responses from platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's SGE. The paradigm shift from click-focused optimization to citation-only visibility represents perhaps the most fundamental challenge for content creators accustomed to driving traffic.
The episode breaks down Phelps' framework of primary and secondary content nodes – a practical approach to creating comprehensive, AI-friendly content that satisfies both traditional search and generative AI requirements. We examine five essential tactics that blend structured content, topical depth, and AI-friendly formatting into a unified strategy that works across all search environments.
As search engines and AI platforms converge, one thing becomes crystal clear: today's content must answer questions, earn trust, and teach machines. If it can't do all three, it's already outdated. How is your content strategy adapting to this new reality? Listen now to ensure your voice doesn't disappear from the conversation.
Thanks for tuning in to Local SEO Unlocked! If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to master Local SEO. Stay connected with us weekly for more insights on SEO! Until next time, keep optimizing and stay ahead in local search!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive, the show that well cuts
through the noise to get youtruly well-informed.
We've all seen search changingright.
I mean constantly.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Oh, definitely.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
But what if the whole idea of being found online is
like fundamentally beingrewritten by AI?
It really feels like theground's shifting under us.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It absolutely is.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
And you know, every week there's a new acronym, a
new strategy you have to master,it seems.
So today we're not justlearning terms, we're trying to
figure out how to navigate thiswhole new information ecosystem.
We're diving deep into tworeally crucial concepts Answer
engine optimization AEO, rightand generative engine
optimization GEO.
(00:39):
These aren't just buzzwords.
They feel like a reallyfundamental shift in how your
content or, you know, anycontent gets seen online.
And to help us figure this out,we're leaning heavily on
insights from Don Phelps.
He's a veteran technical SEOstrategist.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, his perspective is spot on here.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Absolutely essential, I think, for anyone trying to
grasp this new intersection ofAI and search.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Exactly, and Don really highlights that this
isn't just about you know somenew trends you can maybe ignore.
We're talking a major strategicshift, and understanding both
AEO and GEO is becoming wellvital, absolutely vital, for any
kind of online visibility goingforward.
It's about adapting, reallysurviving and, you know,
hopefully thriving.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Okay.
So our mission for this deepdive?
Let's explore the nuances, theoverlap, sure, but also the
crucial differences between AEOand GEO.
Good plan, we'll also unpackDon's idea of primary and
secondary content nodes.
Sounds fascinating.
And really why mastering bothAEO and GEO isn't optional
anymore.
It's non-negotiable for anyonecreating content.
(01:42):
Let's jump in.
So okay, let's start with maybethe more familiar one for some
folks Cancer Engine Optimization, aeo.
Can you break that down?
What exactly is AEO?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Sure.
So at its core, aeo is allabout structuring your content
so it directly answers specificuser questions.
Right, think about what someoneactually types into Google.
The main goal with AEO, it'swinning those featured snippets.
The AEO, it's winning those.
You know those featuredsnippets, the boxes at the top,
exactly those boxes, the FAQ,rich results, maybe even those
(02:11):
knowledge panels you see on theright sometimes.
And it became so importantbecause users well, they started
expecting immediate answers,fast, direct answers, not just a
list of links they have to siftthrough.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, that makes sense.
Impatience is real.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Totally.
It's like searching for arecipe.
You don't want the chef's lifestory first, right?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
No, totally, it's like searching for a recipe.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
You don't want the chef's life story first, right.
No, just the ingredients.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Exactly, you want the ingredients, the steps, fast,
aeo kind of taps into that needfor speed, for immediacy.
Okay, got it.
So what are the core tacticsthen?
How do you actually do AEOsuccessfully?
How do you get that directanswer spot?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Well, the key is really focusing on concise,
high-quality answers to popularquestions.
You need to think about howpeople actually ask things.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Conversational queries.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Right and using structured formats helps a lot.
Things like tables, lists, faqs.
They're just easier for searchengines to digest.
Optimizing specifically forfeatured snippets often involves
using schema markup.
That's like giving Google extraclues about your content's
meaning and, crucially,establishing credibility.
Topical authority that'smassive, especially for
(03:13):
sensitive topics that your money, your life or YMYL stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Right Finance health.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Exactly when accuracy and trust are paramount.
So AEO really boils down toclear answers, building trust
and presenting it all veryclearly, instantly digestible.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Okay, that makes perfect sense, for let's call it
traditional search.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
But the game keeps changing, doesn't it Always?
So just as we kind of got ourheads around AEO, this new thing
AI arrives and it bringsgenerative engine optimization,
geo.
How does that compare?
Is it just AEO 2.0 or somethingelse?
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Ah, that's the million dollar question, isn't
it?
And it's a great one.
Geo definitely expands on AEOprinciples, yeah, but it
specifically applies them tothese new AI search environments
.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Like SGE Exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Google's SGE, chatgpt , search Perplexity, gemini,
bing, copilot all those and thecore Right being the source that
AI chooses to you know,synthesize information from or
cite or use to build itsresponse.
It's not just about being alink they might click.
(04:18):
Don Phelps puts it very bluntly.
He says if your content isn'tbeing selected and synthesized
by AI, then your brand simplydoesn't exist in that search
experience.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Wow, ok, doesn't exist.
That's the whole new level ofscary invisibility.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
It is stark.
So what does GEO demand thenbeyond AEO?
Okay, doesn't exist.
That's the whole new level ofscary invisibility.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It is Stark, yeah.
So what does GEO demand thenbeyond AEO?
How do you optimize forsynthesis?
That sounds way harder thanoptimizing for clicks.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
It definitely requires more.
Yeah, it demands really robustentity optimization.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Entity optimization.
Explain that a bit.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It means being super clear about your brand, your
products, the authors, who iswho, what is what.
It's not just labeling, it'shelping the AI understand the
relationships between thesethings, like building its
internal knowledge graph aboutyou, gotcha.
So you need structured,ai-friendly formatting, almost
spoon-feeding the AI in a way itunderstands.
Strong authority signals,expert citations, quality
(05:11):
backlinks become even morecritical for AI trust.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
More critical than for AEO.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Arguably yes, because the AI is making an editorial
choice in a sense, and maybe thebiggest shift, you need a deep
understanding of how these AImodels actually summarize, cite
and generate their content.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
So you have to think like the AI.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Kind of, yeah, anticipate how it's going to
break down and reassembleinformation, your information.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Thinking like an AI.
That's a challenge, and this iswhere Don's idea the primary
and secondary nodes maybe fitsin.
Does that help build thisAI-friendly content?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Absolutely.
It's fundamental to hisapproach.
So primary nodes these are yourmain keyword targets.
They define the core topic ofyour content, usually have the
highest search volume Prettystandard SEO concept so far.
But then you have secondarynodes.
These are terms that arecontextually related.
They support and expand on thatprimary topic.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Like related keywords .
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Sort of, but more about semantic context.
They might have lower searchvolume individually, but Don
argues they're crucial for topiccompleteness and clarity for
humans, search engines and AI.
He gives a great examplePrimary node, ai search
optimization.
Secondary nodes could be thingslike Google, sge, ranking
factors, chat, gpt, seostrategies, structured data for
(06:28):
AI entity optimization.
See how they flesh it out.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Yeah, they add layers , context Exactly Entity
optimization, see how they fleshit out.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah, they add layers context, exactly as Don
explains it.
When you give AI both a centralfocus and supporting context,
you make your content easier toextract, cite and summarize.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Ah, easier for the AI .
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Precisely.
He says that's how you win bothin traditional search and
generative platforms.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
That clicks.
It really does.
It's like providing the mainpoint and the essential
background reading all in one,so practically.
What are the benefits forcontent creators using this node
framework day to day?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Well, first off, it helps you align with both the
broad search intent for yourmain topic and the more niche
intents covered by the secondarynodes.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Covering all bases.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Pretty much.
It ensures you cover the topiccomprehensively, no gaps for
users or, importantly, for theAI.
This approach boosts yourchances of ranking in
traditional results.
No-transcript Right andultimately it keeps users
engaged because you're answeringtheir initial question and
potentially their follow-upquestions too, all in one place.
(07:31):
It creates a more completeinformation package.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Okay, so we've got AEO, we've got GEO, we've got
these nodes.
But with all this overlap, Imean they both aim to provide
answers, right yeah, Are AEO andGEO really just different
labels for the same basic thing?
Is it semantics?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
That's a fair question, but no, they are
definitely not the same thing.
Even with the overlaps, theytarget different platforms
fundamentally and different userbehaviors, even if they share
some foundational tactics.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Okay, so let's break down the key differences then.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Right.
So first the goal AEO wants towin snippets, those direct
answers in Google GEO aims to becited or used within the
AI-generated overview.
Big difference in outcome.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Cited versus winning the box.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Got it.
Second platform focus AEO islaser-focused on Google search
results snippets, knowledgepanels, GEO is about the AI
environments themselves Chat,TPT, Perplexity, Gemini, SGE,
Copilot.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Different arenas Exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Third, optimization method.
Aeo leans heavily on FAQs,concise lists, specific schema
for snippets.
Geo emphasizes that deeperentity optimization and an
overall AI-ready structure.
It's more holistic, maybe, okay.
Fourth, user interaction.
Aeo is generally click-focused.
You want the user to clickthrough to your site.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Right drive traffic.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Yeah, geo, maybe not.
It might be citation-onlyvisibility.
Your brand gets mentioned, yourinfo used, but the user might
never leave the AI chatinterface.
No click.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Wow, okay, that's a huge mindset shift for marketers
.
Citation-only.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Massive and finally, their origin.
Aeo grew out of pre-AI search,meeting the demand for quick
answers.
Geo is a direct response topost-AI search behavior and
these new generative platforms.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Okay, that distinction, click-focused
versus citation only that reallylambs.
But it leads to the bigquestion If they're different,
why do we need both?
Can't a business, just you know, pick a lane, focus on
traditional AEO or go all in onGEO?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
You really can't afford to pick just one anymore.
Because, well, search enginesand AI platforms, they aren't
separate worlds, now they'reconverging fast.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
You mean like SGE and Google results.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Exactly like SGE.
It's often the same interface.
Don explicitly warns thatignoring either AEO or GEO
creates these huge visibilitygaps.
You might rank in traditionalresults but be invisible in the
AI answer, or vice versa.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
So you risk being half visible.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Precisely, and there are clear reasons both matter.
One people still Google rightFeatured snippets, rich answers.
They aren't dead.
They're still incrediblyimportant for many searches.
True Two these AI platforms aregrowing like crazy Perplexity,
chat, gpt.
They handle millions, probablybillions by now, of queries,
(10:13):
ignoring that traffic is wellrisky.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, you can't ignore that volume.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
And three critically good entity.
Optimization actually helpsboth Structure data, consistent
branding, authoritative content.
These are foundational pillarsthat boost you everywhere in AEO
and GEO.
It's about a unified presence.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Okay, that makes a compelling case for doing both.
So, don has this unifiedstrategy you mentioned.
What are the practical steps?
What should creators be doingright now to tackle both AEO and
GEO effectively?
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Right.
His strategy is really aboutblending structured content,
that topical depth we talkedabout, with nodes and
AI-friendly formatting.
It's a combined approach.
He boils it down to five keytactics.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Okay, let's hear them .
Speaker 2 (10:53):
First, use primary and secondary nodes in every
piece of content.
Anchor it with one clearprimary keyword, then surround
it naturally keyword stuffing isbad with maybe four to eight
related secondary terms Give thefull picture.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Context is king.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
You got it.
Second structure for extractionUse those H2 subheadings
phrased as questions.
Include tables, bullet points,faqs.
Start each section with a clear, concise summary answer.
Make it dead simple for AI topull the info.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Spoon feed the AI, like you said.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Kind of yeah.
Third, strengthen entitysignals.
Use schema markup relentlesslyto define your business, authors
, products.
Keep brand mentions consistenteverywhere.
Link out to authoritativesources, Get linked from them.
Show the AI who you are andthat you're legit.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Build that knowledge graph.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Exactly.
Fourth, add trust layers.
This is huge.
Cite real data, externalsources.
Include quotes from experts,proper author bios.
Use third-party reviews, casestudies.
Prove your credibility tohumans and machines.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
E-E-A-T on steroids.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Kind of like that yeah, but explicitly for AI
consumption too.
And fifth, optimize forgenerative engines specifically.
Don't just write and hope.
Actively test how your contentshows up in Perplexity ChatGPT,
gemini see how it getssummarized.
Build content that's easy forAI to paraphrase and track
citations.
Track how the AI structures itsresponse using your info, not
(12:19):
just old school rankings.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
That's a whole new set of metrics to track.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
It really is.
It's a new game.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Wow, that's a truly comprehensive roadmap for this
new era.
What a deep dive into AEO andGEO.
It's crystal clear now that thefuture isn't about choosing.
It's about this combined,holistic approach, creating
content that works in like twodimensions at once.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Absolutely.
It has to function in bothspaces, and Don sums it up
perfectly it's a really powerfulthought for anyone creating
anything online.
Now, today's content mustanswer questions, earn trust and
teach machines.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Answer questions.
Earn trust, teach machines yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
He finishes.
If it can't do all three, it'salready outdated.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Stark, but probably true, okay.
So here's something to chew onuntil next time.
Given this incredibly rapidevolution, how might
understanding AEO and GEO change, not just how businesses create
content, but maybe how youpersonally approach finding and
trusting information from now on?
Are you already noticing theAI's hand in the answers?
You get Definitely something tothink about.
Welcome to the Deep Dive, the show that well cuts
through the noise to get youtruly well-informed.
We've all seen search changingright.
I mean constantly.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Oh, definitely.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
But what if the whole idea of being found online is
like fundamentally beingrewritten by AI?
It really feels like theground's shifting under us.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It absolutely is.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
And you know, every week there's a new acronym, a
new strategy you have to master,it seems.
So today we're not justlearning terms, we're trying to
figure out how to navigate thiswhole new information ecosystem.
We're diving deep into tworeally crucial concepts Answer
engine optimization AEO, rightand generative engine
optimization GEO.
(00:39):
These aren't just buzzwords.
They feel like a reallyfundamental shift in how your
content or, you know, anycontent gets seen online.
And to help us figure this out,we're leaning heavily on
insights from Don Phelps.
He's a veteran technical SEOstrategist.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, his perspective is spot on here.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Absolutely essential, I think, for anyone trying to
grasp this new intersection ofAI and search.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Exactly, and Don really highlights that this
isn't just about you know somenew trends you can maybe ignore.
We're talking a major strategicshift, and understanding both
AEO and GEO is becoming wellvital, absolutely vital, for any
kind of online visibility goingforward.
It's about adapting, reallysurviving and, you know,
hopefully thriving.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Okay.
So our mission for this deepdive?
Let's explore the nuances, theoverlap, sure, but also the
crucial differences between AEOand GEO.
Good plan, we'll also unpackDon's idea of primary and
secondary content nodes.
Sounds fascinating.
And really why mastering bothAEO and GEO isn't optional
anymore.
It's non-negotiable for anyonecreating content.
(01:42):
Let's jump in.
So okay, let's start with maybethe more familiar one for some
folks Cancer Engine Optimization, aeo.
Can you break that down?
What exactly is AEO?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Sure.
So at its core, aeo is allabout structuring your content
so it directly answers specificuser questions.
Right, think about what someoneactually types into Google.
The main goal with AEO, it'swinning those featured snippets.
The AEO, it's winning those.
You know those featuredsnippets, the boxes at the top,
exactly those boxes, the FAQ,rich results, maybe even those
(02:11):
knowledge panels you see on theright sometimes.
And it became so importantbecause users well, they started
expecting immediate answers,fast, direct answers, not just a
list of links they have to siftthrough.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, that makes sense.
Impatience is real.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Totally.
It's like searching for arecipe.
You don't want the chef's lifestory first, right?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
No, totally, it's like searching for a recipe.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
You don't want the chef's life story first, right.
No, just the ingredients.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Exactly, you want the ingredients, the steps, fast,
aeo kind of taps into that needfor speed, for immediacy.
Okay, got it.
So what are the core tacticsthen?
How do you actually do AEOsuccessfully?
How do you get that directanswer spot?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Well, the key is really focusing on concise,
high-quality answers to popularquestions.
You need to think about howpeople actually ask things.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Conversational queries.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Right and using structured formats helps a lot.
Things like tables, lists, faqs.
They're just easier for searchengines to digest.
Optimizing specifically forfeatured snippets often involves
using schema markup.
That's like giving Google extraclues about your content's
meaning and, crucially,establishing credibility.
Topical authority that'smassive, especially for
(03:13):
sensitive topics that your money, your life or YMYL stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Right Finance health.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Exactly when accuracy and trust are paramount.
So AEO really boils down toclear answers, building trust
and presenting it all veryclearly, instantly digestible.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Okay, that makes perfect sense, for let's call it
traditional search.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
But the game keeps changing, doesn't it Always?
So just as we kind of got ourheads around AEO, this new thing
AI arrives and it bringsgenerative engine optimization,
geo.
How does that compare?
Is it just AEO 2.0 or somethingelse?
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Ah, that's the million dollar question, isn't
it?
And it's a great one.
Geo definitely expands on AEOprinciples, yeah, but it
specifically applies them tothese new AI search environments
.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Like SGE Exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Google's SGE, chatgpt , search Perplexity, gemini,
bing, copilot all those and thecore Right being the source that
AI chooses to you know,synthesize information from or
cite or use to build itsresponse.
It's not just about being alink they might click.
(04:18):
Don Phelps puts it very bluntly.
He says if your content isn'tbeing selected and synthesized
by AI, then your brand simplydoesn't exist in that search
experience.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Wow, ok, doesn't exist.
That's the whole new level ofscary invisibility.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
It is stark.
So what does GEO demand thenbeyond AEO?
Okay, doesn't exist.
That's the whole new level ofscary invisibility.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It is Stark, yeah.
So what does GEO demand thenbeyond AEO?
How do you optimize forsynthesis?
That sounds way harder thanoptimizing for clicks.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
It definitely requires more.
Yeah, it demands really robustentity optimization.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Entity optimization.
Explain that a bit.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It means being super clear about your brand, your
products, the authors, who iswho, what is what.
It's not just labeling, it'shelping the AI understand the
relationships between thesethings, like building its
internal knowledge graph aboutyou, gotcha.
So you need structured,ai-friendly formatting, almost
spoon-feeding the AI in a way itunderstands.
Strong authority signals,expert citations, quality
(05:11):
backlinks become even morecritical for AI trust.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
More critical than for AEO.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Arguably yes, because the AI is making an editorial
choice in a sense, and maybe thebiggest shift, you need a deep
understanding of how these AImodels actually summarize, cite
and generate their content.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
So you have to think like the AI.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Kind of, yeah, anticipate how it's going to
break down and reassembleinformation, your information.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Thinking like an AI.
That's a challenge, and this iswhere Don's idea the primary
and secondary nodes maybe fitsin.
Does that help build thisAI-friendly content?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Absolutely.
It's fundamental to hisapproach.
So primary nodes these are yourmain keyword targets.
They define the core topic ofyour content, usually have the
highest search volume Prettystandard SEO concept so far.
But then you have secondarynodes.
These are terms that arecontextually related.
They support and expand on thatprimary topic.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Like related keywords .
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Sort of, but more about semantic context.
They might have lower searchvolume individually, but Don
argues they're crucial for topiccompleteness and clarity for
humans, search engines and AI.
He gives a great examplePrimary node, ai search
optimization.
Secondary nodes could be thingslike Google, sge, ranking
factors, chat, gpt, seostrategies, structured data for
(06:28):
AI entity optimization.
See how they flesh it out.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Yeah, they add layers , context Exactly Entity
optimization, see how they fleshit out.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah, they add layers context, exactly as Don
explains it.
When you give AI both a centralfocus and supporting context,
you make your content easier toextract, cite and summarize.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Ah, easier for the AI .
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Precisely.
He says that's how you win bothin traditional search and
generative platforms.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
That clicks.
It really does.
It's like providing the mainpoint and the essential
background reading all in one,so practically.
What are the benefits forcontent creators using this node
framework day to day?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Well, first off, it helps you align with both the
broad search intent for yourmain topic and the more niche
intents covered by the secondarynodes.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Covering all bases.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Pretty much.
It ensures you cover the topiccomprehensively, no gaps for
users or, importantly, for theAI.
This approach boosts yourchances of ranking in
traditional results.
No-transcript Right andultimately it keeps users
engaged because you're answeringtheir initial question and
potentially their follow-upquestions too, all in one place.
(07:31):
It creates a more completeinformation package.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Okay, so we've got AEO, we've got GEO, we've got
these nodes.
But with all this overlap, Imean they both aim to provide
answers, right yeah, Are AEO andGEO really just different
labels for the same basic thing?
Is it semantics?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
That's a fair question, but no, they are
definitely not the same thing.
Even with the overlaps, theytarget different platforms
fundamentally and different userbehaviors, even if they share
some foundational tactics.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Okay, so let's break down the key differences then.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Right.
So first the goal AEO wants towin snippets, those direct
answers in Google GEO aims to becited or used within the
AI-generated overview.
Big difference in outcome.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Cited versus winning the box.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Got it.
Second platform focus AEO islaser-focused on Google search
results snippets, knowledgepanels, GEO is about the AI
environments themselves Chat,TPT, Perplexity, Gemini, SGE,
Copilot.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Different arenas Exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Third, optimization method.
Aeo leans heavily on FAQs,concise lists, specific schema
for snippets.
Geo emphasizes that deeperentity optimization and an
overall AI-ready structure.
It's more holistic, maybe, okay.
Fourth, user interaction.
Aeo is generally click-focused.
You want the user to clickthrough to your site.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Right drive traffic.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Yeah, geo, maybe not.
It might be citation-onlyvisibility.
Your brand gets mentioned, yourinfo used, but the user might
never leave the AI chatinterface.
No click.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Wow, okay, that's a huge mindset shift for marketers
.
Citation-only.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Massive and finally, their origin.
Aeo grew out of pre-AI search,meeting the demand for quick
answers.
Geo is a direct response topost-AI search behavior and
these new generative platforms.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Okay, that distinction, click-focused
versus citation only that reallylambs.
But it leads to the bigquestion If they're different,
why do we need both?
Can't a business, just you know, pick a lane, focus on
traditional AEO or go all in onGEO?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
You really can't afford to pick just one anymore.
Because, well, search enginesand AI platforms, they aren't
separate worlds, now they'reconverging fast.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
You mean like SGE and Google results.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Exactly like SGE.
It's often the same interface.
Don explicitly warns thatignoring either AEO or GEO
creates these huge visibilitygaps.
You might rank in traditionalresults but be invisible in the
AI answer, or vice versa.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
So you risk being half visible.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Precisely, and there are clear reasons both matter.
One people still Google rightFeatured snippets, rich answers.
They aren't dead.
They're still incrediblyimportant for many searches.
True Two these AI platforms aregrowing like crazy Perplexity,
chat, gpt.
They handle millions, probablybillions by now, of queries,
(10:13):
ignoring that traffic is wellrisky.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, you can't ignore that volume.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
And three critically good entity.
Optimization actually helpsboth Structure data, consistent
branding, authoritative content.
These are foundational pillarsthat boost you everywhere in AEO
and GEO.
It's about a unified presence.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Okay, that makes a compelling case for doing both.
So, don has this unifiedstrategy you mentioned.
What are the practical steps?
What should creators be doingright now to tackle both AEO and
GEO effectively?
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Right.
His strategy is really aboutblending structured content,
that topical depth we talkedabout, with nodes and
AI-friendly formatting.
It's a combined approach.
He boils it down to five keytactics.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Okay, let's hear them .
Speaker 2 (10:53):
First, use primary and secondary nodes in every
piece of content.
Anchor it with one clearprimary keyword, then surround
it naturally keyword stuffing isbad with maybe four to eight
related secondary terms Give thefull picture.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Context is king.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
You got it.
Second structure for extractionUse those H2 subheadings
phrased as questions.
Include tables, bullet points,faqs.
Start each section with a clear, concise summary answer.
Make it dead simple for AI topull the info.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Spoon feed the AI, like you said.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Kind of yeah.
Third, strengthen entitysignals.
Use schema markup relentlesslyto define your business, authors
, products.
Keep brand mentions consistenteverywhere.
Link out to authoritativesources, Get linked from them.
Show the AI who you are andthat you're legit.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Build that knowledge graph.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Exactly.
Fourth, add trust layers.
This is huge.
Cite real data, externalsources.
Include quotes from experts,proper author bios.
Use third-party reviews, casestudies.
Prove your credibility tohumans and machines.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
E-E-A-T on steroids.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Kind of like that yeah, but explicitly for AI
consumption too.
And fifth, optimize forgenerative engines specifically.
Don't just write and hope.
Actively test how your contentshows up in Perplexity ChatGPT,
gemini see how it getssummarized.
Build content that's easy forAI to paraphrase and track
citations.
Track how the AI structures itsresponse using your info, not
(12:19):
just old school rankings.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
That's a whole new set of metrics to track.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
It really is.
It's a new game.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Wow, that's a truly comprehensive roadmap for this
new era.
What a deep dive into AEO andGEO.
It's crystal clear now that thefuture isn't about choosing.
It's about this combined,holistic approach, creating
content that works in like twodimensions at once.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Absolutely.
It has to function in bothspaces, and Don sums it up
perfectly it's a really powerfulthought for anyone creating
anything online.
Now, today's content mustanswer questions, earn trust and
teach machines.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Answer questions.
Earn trust, teach machines yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
He finishes.
If it can't do all three, it'salready outdated.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Stark, but probably true, okay.
So here's something to chew onuntil next time.
Given this incredibly rapidevolution, how might
understanding AEO and GEO change, not just how businesses create
content, but maybe how youpersonally approach finding and
trusting information from now on?
Are you already noticing theAI's hand in the answers?
You get Definitely something tothink about.
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