AI Search Optimization (AEO & GEO): How to Get Cited by AI

AI search optimization: getting cited by AI answer engines

Search now has two layers: the classic blue links, and the AI answers above them. AI search optimization (also called AEO or GEO) is the work of making your content the source those answers quote. This guide covers what actually moves the needle.

How AI engines pick sources

• They prefer clear, extractable answers – a direct response in the first 40-60 words under a descriptive heading.
• They reward semantic HTML (real headings, lists, tables) and structured data.
• They favour entity clarity – who you are, what you do, backed by Organization/Person schema.
• They need access – AI crawlers allowed in robots.txt, plus a llms.txt file.

The AEO/GEO checklist

1. Answer each key question in 40-60 words, immediately after its heading.
2. Use question-led H2s and one idea per section.
3. Add FAQPage schema to Q&A blocks.
4. Add Organization and Person schema for entity clarity.
5. Publish llms.txt and confirm AI crawlers (GPTBot, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot, Google-Extended) aren’t blocked.
6. Cite primary sources; keep claims dated and specific.

Test your AI readiness

Our free audit checks AI/LLM readiness (llms.txt discovery and AI-crawler access) alongside standard SEO. Run it on your site, or read the SEO audit guide for the full method.