This quick-start guide helps you understand AI SEO (GEO/AEO) and take immediate action. For comprehensive details, see our full Client Playbook: AI SEO + Organic: From Quick Wins to Long-Term Visibility.

What Is AI SEO?

AI SEO optimizes your content to be cited and referenced by AI engines like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and Copilot—not just ranked in traditional search results.

Three approaches work together:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Rank in traditional search results for clicks and traffic
• AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Appear in featured snippets and voice responses
• GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): Get cited in AI-generated answers, even without clicks

Why it matters now: Up to 60% of searches result in zero clicks—users get answers directly from AI without visiting websites. Being cited builds brand authority and influences decisions even when users never click through.

The 4-Week Quick-Start Plan

Week 1: Audit & Baseline

Goal: Understand your current AI SEO readiness

Actions:

• [ ] Identify your top 10-15 target questions (what do ideal customers ask?)
• [ ] Manually test 5-10 queries in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews
• [ ] Document: Are you cited? Are competitors cited instead?
• [ ] List your highest-traffic pages and assess their AI-friendliness

Deliverable: Simple spreadsheet with queries, current citation status, and competitor presence

Week 2: Quick Technical Wins