AEO vs. SEO: Is Answer Engine Optimization Changing the Game?

A Clear Look at AEO and SEO The way we search online is evolving, and businesses need to keep up. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has been the go-to for climbing Google’s rankings, with the industry expected to hit $122.11 billion by 2028, thanks to booming online content and faster internet. But SEO isn’t just about stuffing keywords or piling up links anymore—it’s about giving users real value. That’s where Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) steps in, focusing on delivering quick, spot-on answers at the top of search results, grabbing about 8.6% of clicks, according to Ahrefs. So, is AEO taking over SEO? Let’s break it down in a simple, friendly way. What Are Answer Engines? We’re all impatient these days, wanting answers instantly. Answer Engines are built for this. Powered by AI, they scan the web and pull the best answer to your question, displaying it right away—often as a “featured snippet” or through voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. No need to click through tons of lin...