For years, businesses have focused on SEO to improve their visibility on Google. But people are no longer finding information through traditional search results alone. AI generated answers, conversational search and platforms such as ChatGPT are increasingly becoming part of how people discover businesses, products and services.

That is where AEO comes in.

What Is SEO?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, is the process of making a website easier for search engines such as Google to understand, index and rank.

It can include everything from the structure and speed of a website to its content, keywords, internal linking, metadata and technical setup.

The goal is simple: when someone searches for a service you provide, your business has a better chance of appearing in the search results.

What Is AEO?

AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimisation.

Instead of focusing only on traditional search rankings, AEO focuses on making website content clear, structured and useful enough to be understood and potentially referenced by AI powered search and answer engines.

This can include well structured content, clear answers to common questions, accurate business information, schema markup and content that demonstrates genuine expertise.

SEO vs AEO: What’s the Difference?

SEO is primarily about helping your website perform well in traditional search results.

AEO extends that thinking to the way modern search and AI systems interpret information and generate answers.

They are not competing strategies. In fact, much of what makes a website strong for SEO - useful content, good structure, technical performance and clear information, also creates a stronger foundation for AEO.

Do Businesses Still Need SEO?

Absolutely.

Google search remains an important source of website traffic and enquiries for businesses. AEO does not replace SEO.

Instead, businesses should start thinking about visibility more broadly. The question is no longer simply:

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“Can people find us on Google?”

It is also:

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“Can search engines and AI platforms clearly understand who we are, what we do and where we operate?”

What Does an SEO & AEO Friendly Website Look Like?

A website built with modern search visibility in mind should have:

• A clear website and page structure
• Dedicated, useful service content
• Fast loading times and good mobile performance
• Accurate titles, descriptions and business information
• Relevant internal links
• Structured data and schema markup where appropriate
• Clear answers to questions potential customers actually ask
• Original content that demonstrates real experience and expertise

Simply repeating keywords throughout a website is no longer enough.

Why Does This Matter in 2026?

The way people search is becoming less linear.

Someone looking for a business may use traditional Google results, Google’s AI features, maps, social platforms or an AI assistant before ever visiting a website.

That means businesses need websites that are not only visually strong, but also structured in a way that makes their information easy to discover and understand across different search experiences.

Should You Optimise for SEO or AEO?

Ideally, both.

A strong SEO foundation helps search engines discover and rank your website. AEO builds on that foundation by making your information clearer and easier for answer based and AI powered systems to interpret.

For businesses building or redesigning a website in 2026, it makes sense to consider both from the beginning rather than trying to add them later.

Building a Website for the Way People Search Today

At Platinum Media, we consider SEO and AEO as part of the wider website experience, from site structure and technical setup to content and schema markup.

Because a website should not only look good when someone reaches it.

‍People need to be able to find it in the first place.