What is AEO?
AEO, or answer engine optimization, is the work of getting a brand named and described correctly inside the answers of ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Gemini, Copilot and Perplexity. GEO and AI search optimization are other names for the same work. An AEO agency such as KailxLabs measures those answers on the real apps, fixes the pages and facts AI reads, and earns a place in the third party sources AI trusts.
AEO, GEO and AISO compared.
Three names, one job. What matters is the method behind the name.
| Term | Stands for | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| AEO | Answer engine optimization | The most common name, from the idea of answer engines. Covers ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Gemini, Copilot and Perplexity. |
| GEO | Generative engine optimization | The name from academic research on generative search. The same work in practice. |
| AI search optimization | Also AISO or LLM optimization | A plain description of the same job. Google itself says optimizing for its AI features is still SEO. |
Google, AI optimization guide · updated 10 Jul 2026, checked 26 Sep 2026
How is an AI answer built?
Every app works a little differently, but the pattern is the same five steps.
A buyer asks a question, often longer and more specific than a search query.
The AI splits it into several searches of its own, on the web and in its own indexes.
It reads the pages those searches return: brand sites, lists, reviews, forums and news.
It writes an answer that names a few brands and links some of its sources, sentence by sentence.
Ask again and the answer and sources can change. That is why one answer proves nothing.
48% of cited URLs appeared only once across repeated runs. The brands named held steadier than the sources.
Otterly, AI search visibility stability · 252,407 answers, 520 prompts, 7 engines · 11 Sep 2026 · vendor data
What does an AEO agency do?
Four jobs, in this order. Ecommerce adds a fifth: product feeds.
Ask your buyer questions on each AI app, several times, and record who is named and which sources are cited.
BaselineCrawler access, one clear page per service or product, and facts in visible text.
WebsiteA fair place in the lists, reviews and comparisons AI already cites.
Citation engineeringWhy does it matter now?
Buyers now shortlist inside the answer, and fewer of them click through.
41% of US consumers say they have bought something because an AI chatbot recommended it.
Semrush and Exploding Topics survey · 2,338 US adults, margin of error 2 points · Jul 2026, published 7 Sep 2026
An AI Mode only Google cut clicks to outside sites by 18.8 points.
Wang et al., arXiv 2608.18352, preregistered experiment · 1,100 users · Mar 2026, published Aug 2026
89.3% of AI search volume sits in categories with no clear leader. In 53.7% of 1,094 categories, no brand led even 3 of 5 prompts.
Growth Memo research, cited by Seer Interactive · 1,094 categories, ChatGPT · Jan to Jun 2026, published 31 Aug 2026 · vendor data
AEO, measured and done
AI visibility baseline
$1,500 one time. Where you stand on 50 buyer questions, app by app.
About the baselineAnswer ready build
$4,995 one time. The fixes shipped in 10 working days: pages AI can quote, facts, listings and crawler access. Then tracked for 45 days. You keep everything.
Answer ready websiteMonthly programs
From $2,000 a month, with a monthly proof report against a control group.
Compare programsAEO questions, answered.
Is AEO the same as SEO?
They share a base: crawlable pages with clear facts. AEO adds two things SEO reporting does not cover: work on the third party pages AI reads, and measurement that repeats each question on each AI app.
Is GEO different from AEO?
Not in practice. GEO comes from academic research, AEO from the industry. Both mean getting a brand named and described correctly in AI answers.
Can AEO be done in house?
Yes, if you have people for pages, facts, outreach and measurement. The hard parts are earning placements on sites you do not own and measuring properly on the real apps.
What does KailxLabs charge for AEO?
The AI visibility baseline is $1,500 one time. The answer ready build and AI shopping readiness are $4,995 each. Programs run from $2,000 to $6,500 a month and up.
- 26 Sep 2026: page published.
Talk to the founder.
20 minutes with Kailesk Khumar. You leave knowing where AI names you today, and what it would take to become the answer.
- A live look. We ask five of your buyer questions on ChatGPT, Google and Perplexity while you watch.
- The reasons. The three biggest reasons AI names a rival instead of you.
- The plan. A clear next step and its price, whether or not you hire us.
Pick a time that suits you. The calendar invite arrives straight away. Prefer a link? Book on Cal.com.