Milivoje Krivokapic 
Yesterday I asked Google: “What’s the best temperature to brew green tea?” In a few seconds, I got a straightforward answer: between 140°F and 185°F (60°C—85°C). It came from a source I never clicked on.
Here’s the truth behind that: Almost 60% of all Google searches now end without a click.
No website visit, no conversion. Just a fast, AI-powered answer that keeps users right where they started.
This shift isn’t coming. It’s already here, and it’s rewriting the rules of visibility.
The strategies that got you to the top of the search results don’t guarantee traffic anymore. Because ranking first doesn’t matter if a chatbot answers before anyone scrolls. That’s where AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, enters the scene.
So, let’s find out what AEO is, how it stacks up in the AEO vs. SEO debate, and what it means for brands trying to stay relevant in a zero-click world.
Spoiler: It’s not just about keywords anymore. It’s about being the answer.
SEO Got Us Here. But the Game Is Changing.
SEO has shaped the internet for over two decades. We’ve built strategies around keywords, backlinks, metadata, and rankings. And for a long time, it worked.
But now users are getting answers faster, and not from your website. They’re getting them from featured snippets, Google’s AI Overviews, and AI chatbots that summarize, rephrase, and respond to questions directly, often without the user ever clicking a result.
This doesn’t mean SEO is dead. It means the search experience is evolving, and we need to evolve with it.
That’s where the AEO vs. SEO conversation starts.
What Is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
If you’re asking what AEO is, it’s not just a new term. It’s a new mindset. AEO is a strategy focused on helping your content become the direct answer to a user’s question, especially in AI‑driven environments.
Instead of just trying to rank high on a search results page, AEO aims to position your content as the source that tools like Google’s AI Mode, ChatGPT, or voice assistants quote or summarize.
It’s about formatting information clearly, structuring pages semantically, and answering intent-rich questions fast. AEO focuses less on click-throughs and more on being featured, cited, or spoken aloud.
Let’s say you’re asking Google about the safest city in Europe for solo travel. Traditional SEO might push a reliable blog post to the top of the results. AEO will serve you with a clear answer: “Based on multiple sources, Copenhagen, Denmark, is consistently considered one of the safest cities in Europe for solo travelers”, and include the source directly in the result.
So if you’re asking what AEO is, think of it as SEO’s evolved form. Simply put, if traditional SEO is about showing up to the party, AEO is about being handed the mic.
AEO vs. SEO: What’s the Difference?
SEO and AEO aren’t enemies, but they aren’t the same either. They solve different problems for different kinds of search behavior.
SEO helps your page rank when someone is looking to explore, click, or compare. AEO helps your answer surface when someone just wants a quick, clear response.
Here’s how AEO compares to SEO:
| SEO | AEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Keywords & rankings | Questions & direct answers |
| Goal | Drive traffic | Be featured in answer engines |
| Success Metric | Click-through rates, page visits | Visibility in featured snippets, AI bots |
| Target | Search engine results pages (SERPs) | Answer engines, AI chatbots, and voice assistants |
| Format | Rich pages, long-form content | Short, structured, scannable responses |
Understanding AEO vs. SEO helps you build smarter strategies, not just for search engines, but for the way people search now.
So… Is AEO Part of SEO or Not?
Yes and no.
AEO is part of SEO in the sense that it helps content perform in search. But the tactics, goals, and surfaces are different. SEO wants to get users to your site. AEO wants your content to be the answer, right inside the result.
That means they can (and should) work together. The same page can rank well in search and also feed an AI-generated answer. But optimizing for both takes intention. You need to balance depth with clarity and structure with natural flow.
If you’re still asking what AEO is, here’s the real answer: it’s not a replacement for SEO. It’s a layer on top, built for the way people now search with questions, not keywords.
How to Optimize for AEO (Without Killing Your SEO)
AEO and SEO don’t have to compete. In fact, the best-performing content today does both: it ranks well and gets picked up by AI-driven platforms.
The key is knowing how to structure your content so it serves real users and AI-powered answer engines at the same time.
Here’s how to do it.
Start with the Question, Not the Keyword
AI tools and answer engines are designed to respond to questions, not just match search terms. That means your content should lead with the user’s intent.
Instead of focusing only on keywords like “best time to post on Instagram,” build around the question itself: when is the best time to post on Instagram for engagement?
This is the core of AEO: clear, direct answers to real questions. It still supports SEO, but it gives your content a shot at being quoted directly in zero-click results.
Use Structured Formatting
Answer engines love structure. Clear headings, short paragraphs, bullet points, and tables help AI understand and extract your content.
If you’re explaining a process, use steps. If you’re comparing tools, use a table. This format-first approach supports both SEO readability and AEO clarity.
In the AEO vs. SEO discussion, this is one of the few tactics that wins on both sides. It makes your content smoother to scan for humans and easier to parse for machines.
Add Semantic Markup
A clear schema helps Google and other platforms understand what your content is about beyond just words on the page.
Use FAQ, How-To, and Q&A schema where it makes sense. It won’t guarantee a featured spot, but it increases your chances of being used as a source in AI summaries and voice answers.
If you’re serious about what AEO really involves, semantic structure is a key part of it. It’s how you teach machines what your content actually means.
Prioritize Clarity Over Length
Long-form content still matters for SEO, but AEO favors quick, clear answers. Don’t bury key information under layers of intro text or fluff.
Lead with the answer. Then expand if needed.
In the AEO vs. SEO world, this balance is everything. You’re not just writing for readers anymore. You’re now writing for machines that summarize, too. Make it easy for both.
Don’t Choose Between AEO and SEO. Combine Instead.
This isn’t really about AEO vs. SEO. It’s about evolution.
People still search. But now they also ask. They scan summaries, listen to voice answers, and trust AI to choose for them. If your content isn’t ready for that, you’re already falling behind.
Knowing what AEO is matters. But applying it is what actually moves the needle. That means blending structure with clarity, questions with answers, and strategy with speed.
At Zlurad, we help brands stay visible where it counts, whether users click or not. We craft content that ranks, answers, and adapts to the way search is shifting, supported by a solid technical foundation.
Because in this new search landscape, you don’t win by picking sides. You win by showing up first, no matter who’s asking.