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AEO vs GEO vs LLMO: the acronyms explained

By Shivam Brahmbhatt · 1 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

Marketers have invented several names for one new problem. How do you show up correctly when an AI answers the question? The labels differ more than the work does.

On this page
  1. The terms
  2. Why the work is the same
  3. How it connects to classic SEO
  4. What to ignore
  5. Common questions

The terms

  • AEO: answer engine optimization. Focus on being the source of a direct answer. See what is AEO.
  • GEO: generative engine optimization. Focus on appearing in the responses of generative AI tools.
  • LLMO: large language model optimization. Focus on being represented accurately by language models.
  • AI search optimization, AIO and similar phrases are used loosely for the same idea.

Why the work is the same

Whatever the label, the steps barely change. Let legitimate crawlers in, serve readable HTML, keep your facts consistent, add structured data, publish clear answers, and build a real presence on sources assistants read, such as your Google Business Profile and respected directories.

Because the terminology is still settling, do not buy a service on the strength of an acronym. Ask what, specifically, will change on your site and listings.

How it connects to classic SEO

All of these sit on top of ordinary search fundamentals. A fast, clear, trustworthy site helps everywhere. See SEO vs AEO for how the two relate.

What to ignore

  • Promises of guaranteed AI recommendations.
  • Hidden text or planted instructions aimed at AI systems.
  • Fabricated reviews or credentials.

These do not work for long, and they damage your reputation when they are noticed.

Common questions

Which term should I use?

Use whichever your audience recognises. The tasks are the same.

Is there a standard for any of this?

There are open standards for the machine-readable pieces, such as schema.org markup and robots.txt. The overall discipline has no formal standard yet.

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