Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) that gets you cited in AI answers

Tilio helps brands show up in Google AI Overviews, AI Mode and AI assistants by improving how your site is understood, trusted and selected as a source.

People are asking questions and expecting an instant answer. We help you earn visibility in those answers through a joined-up programme across technical foundations, structured content, entity clarity and authority signals.

What Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is, and why it now matters as much as SEO

Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the work of increasing the chance your brand is included, cited, or recommended in AI-generated answers. It focuses on the signals answer systems rely on: clear structure, reliable evidence, unambiguous entity information, and authority beyond your own site.

Tilio combines a practical delivery framework with the Tilio platform to establish where you appear today, what is stopping you being selected, and what to change first.

The answer surfaces we optimise for

AEO is about being present wherever people ask questions and accept the first credible answer. Our AEO agency services optimize for all major AI search platforms.

  • Google AI Overviews: Improve selection and citation through clarity, coverage, structure, and proof.
  • Google AI Mode / conversational search: Support follow-up questions, comparisons, and decision queries with structured answers.
  • AI assistants (including ChatGPT): Strengthen entity and authority signals so you are described accurately and recommended appropriately.
  • Citation-led engines (such as Perplexity): Increase the likelihood your pages are referenced as sources through clear evidence and structure.

A complete AEO system, not isolated fixes

AEO fails when it is treated as only content, or only technical. We run a four-layer programme so the work reinforces itself.

  • Discoverability foundations (technical): Crawl and index health, template issues, internal linking, and structured data that helps machines interpret your site correctly.
  • Answer-ready content: Question-led planning, clear definitions, step-by-step guidance, comparisons, and formatting that reduces ambiguity.
  • Entity and credibility signals: Consistent naming and positioning, expertise signals, and evidence that supports key claims.
  • Authority and amplification: Relevant mentions and references that improve trust and selection beyond your own domain.

What delivery looks like in 30 days and 90 days

Clear milestones so your team knows what is happening, why it matters, and what improves next.

First 30 days (baseline + priorities)

  • Prompt set for your products and key questions.
  • Visibility audit: where you show up, where competitors show up, and why.
  • Technical and schema priorities (quick wins and deeper fixes).
  • Content and entity plan mapped to customer questions and journeys.

First 90 days (implement + improve)

  • Technical fixes and schema implementation across priority templates.
  • Updates to priority pages and creation of missing answer-led pages.
  • Authority work aligned to the topics most likely to drive selection and citations.
  • Monthly reporting and an iteration plan based on what is working.

Measurement that matches how AI discovery works

We measure three things, using an agreed prompt set and topic list.

  • Visibility: Whether you appear for priority questions and how often.
  • Quality: Mentions, citations/links, accuracy of description, and positioning versus competitors.
  • Outcomes: Traffic and conversions from answer-led entry points, where tracking is available.

You get a clear baseline, monthly reporting, and a prioritised action list each cycle.

Evidence, not promises

AEO should be traceable. We recommend presenting proof in a consistent format so it is easy to evaluate.

  • Challenge: What was blocking visibility in answers.
  • What changed: Technical, schema, content, entity, and authority actions.
  • What improved: Visibility across prompts, citations, accuracy, and business outcomes where available.

Where appropriate, include a small set of before-and-after examples for specific prompts to show the shift clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AEO?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) increases the chance your brand is included, cited, or recommended in AI answers by improving structure, evidence, entities, and authority. It focuses on optimizing content for AI-powered search engines like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.

Is AEO the same as SEO?

They overlap but serve different purposes. SEO supports discovery and fundamentals for traditional search engines. AEO focuses on selection within AI answers and assistants, where structure, extractability, and credibility signals matter more. Both are important for comprehensive digital visibility.

What is GEO and AI SEO?

GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and "AI SEO" are commonly used labels for the same goal: visibility in AI-powered search and assistants. We cover the full set because people search using different terms. All refer to optimizing content for AI search engines.

Can you optimise for Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT?

Yes. While you cannot control AI outputs directly, you can significantly improve the likelihood of being selected and cited by strengthening your public information, content structure, entity clarity, and authority signals. Our AEO agency services help brands appear in Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI assistants.

How do you measure AEO results?

We measure AEO results through prompt tracking, mentions, citations/links, accuracy checks, and business outcomes such as referral traffic and conversions where possible. Our measurement framework covers visibility, quality, and outcomes across AI search platforms.

What does an AEO agency do?

An AEO agency helps brands optimize their digital presence for AI search engines. This includes technical foundations (crawl and index health, structured data), answer-ready content (question-led planning, clear definitions), entity and credibility signals, and authority building through mentions and references.

How long does AEO take to show results?

AEO results can begin appearing within 30-90 days, depending on the scope of work. In the first 30 days, we establish baselines, conduct visibility audits, and prioritize quick wins. Within 90 days, technical fixes and content updates are implemented, with measurable improvements in AI visibility and citations.

What industries benefit from AEO?

Any industry where customers ask questions and expect instant answers benefits from AEO. This includes SaaS, e-commerce, professional services, healthcare, finance, education, and technology companies. If your customers use AI assistants to research products or services, AEO is essential.

Speak to Tilio

If you want to improve your visibility and accuracy in AI answers, we can map the fastest opportunities and build a practical plan.

Book an AEO strategy call