AEO Glossary
The most important terms around AI visibility, Answer Engine Optimization, and structured data – clearly explained.
AEO – Answer Engine Optimization
Optimization of content for AI-powered answer systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. The goal is to be cited as a source in AI-generated answers. AEO complements traditional SEO but does not replace it.
GEO – Generative Engine Optimization
An umbrella term for all measures to optimize content for generative AI systems. Includes AEO, LLMO, and all techniques that improve visibility in AI-generated answers.
LLMO – Large Language Model Optimization
Specific optimization measures for Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini. The goal is to structure content so that LLMs can understand, index, and use it as an answer source.
llms.txt
A standardized text file in the root directory of a website (e.g. /llms.txt) that explains to AI systems what the website contains and which content is important. Similar to robots.txt for search engine crawlers, but optimized for AI systems.
Schema.org
A shared vocabulary for structured data on the web, developed by Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Enables content to be marked up in a machine-readable way. AI systems use Schema.org data to precisely understand content.
JSON-LD
JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data – the preferred format for Schema.org markup. JSON-LD is inserted as <script type="application/ld+json"> in the HTML head and is preferred by Google, AI systems, and search engines.
FAQPage Schema
A Schema.org type for marking up questions and answers. Google displays FAQPage schema as a Rich Result in search results. AI systems use FAQPage data to provide precise answers to frequently asked questions.
HowTo Schema
A Schema.org type for step-by-step instructions. Displayed in Google Rich Results as an interactive step guide and used by AI systems to answer how-to questions.
Speakable Schema
A Schema.org type that marks text passages particularly suitable for voice AI and voice search. Helps Google Assistant, Alexa, and other voice assistants find and read the most relevant passages.
Knowledge Graph
A database of interconnected information about entities (persons, places, concepts, products). Google and other AI systems use Knowledge Graphs to understand relationships between entities.
Entity
A uniquely identifiable unit in a Knowledge Graph – for example, a person, company, product, or concept. The more clearly entities are marked up on a website, the better AI systems understand them.
Featured Snippet
A highlighted answer box in Google search results (position 0) that provides a direct answer to a search query. FAQPage and HowTo schema improve the chances of being selected as a Featured Snippet.
AI Overview (SGE)
Google's AI-generated summary at the top of search results (Search Generative Experience). Draws information from multiple sources. Structured data and high E-E-A-T signals improve the chance of being cited in AI Overviews.
E-E-A-T
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness – Google's quality signal for content. Important for rankings and AI citations. Strengthened by author schema (Person), company schema (Organization), and external links.
Perplexity
An AI-based search engine that summarizes web content and responds with source citations. Uses real-time web search and is particularly important for AEO because it visibly links sources directly.
GPTBot
OpenAI's web crawler that indexes web content for training and knowledge updates of ChatGPT. Can be allowed or blocked in robots.txt. AEO Pro automatically configures robots.txt for optimal AI crawler settings.
Claude-Web
Anthropic's web crawler for Claude. Indexes web content for Claude's knowledge base. Should be explicitly allowed in robots.txt when AI visibility is the goal.
PerplexityBot
Perplexity AI's web crawler. Indexes web content for the Perplexity search engine. One of the most important AI crawlers for AEO, as Perplexity visibly links sources directly.
SiteLinksSearchBox
A Schema.org extension for WebSite that allows Google to display a search box directly in search results. Users can search without visiting the website. Improves brand visibility in the SERP.
AEO Pro in Practice
All mentioned concepts – llms.txt, Schema.org, Speakable – are automatically implemented by AEO Pro.