Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Optimizing content to be selected as direct answers by search engines and voice assistants.
Also known as: AEO, Voice search optimization, Direct answer optimization
Category: Methods
Tags: seo, content, search, voice-search, emerging-trends
Explanation
Answer Engine Optimization focuses on winning direct answers in search—featured snippets, knowledge panels, voice assistant responses, and AI-generated answers. Unlike traditional SEO (ranking links), AEO aims to provide THE answer. Key strategies include: targeting question-based queries, providing clear, concise answers (40-60 words), using structured formatting (lists, tables, headers), implementing schema markup, and optimizing for natural language (how people ask questions). Voice search makes AEO increasingly important—when someone asks Alexa or Siri a question, there's only one answer given. For creators, AEO means structuring content to directly answer questions your audience asks, making it easy for search engines to extract and display your expertise.
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