AEO vs SEO: Definitions and Practical Differences
SEO focuses on discovery through search engines. AEO is a broader industry label for work on how information appears in answers. The activities overlap, especially around useful content and technical access.
Compare the outcomes you inspect
SEO reviews often examine impressions, clicks and search performance. Answer-focused reviews also inspect mentions, citations and descriptions in sampled responses. Both need to connect back to customer tasks and useful website outcomes.
Keep the shared foundations
Use accessible HTML, relevant internal links and clear page structure. Make claims accurate and support them with evidence. Google says established SEO practices remain relevant to its AI search features; special AI schema is not required.
Choose work by the problem
If an integration page is missing, write it because buyers need it. If assistants describe your product incorrectly, inspect the answer and source before proposing a fix. There is no universal budget split between the two labels. The longer blog guide includes a workflow comparison.
Sources and further reading
Google's guidance for AI features explains the requirements for its own search experiences. For a worked process, read our related practical guide. Apply engine-specific documentation to that engine, rather than treating it as a rule for every assistant.