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AI Search Optimisation (AEO and GEO)

More and more customers ask an AI assistant instead of scrolling through search results: “Who is a reliable plumber in Pretoria?” or “What is the cheapest .co.za web hosting?” Tools like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot and Perplexity answer in a few sentences and only mention a handful of businesses. AI search optimisation is the work of making your business one of them.

You will also see it called answer engine optimisation (AEO) or generative engine optimisation (GEO). We offer it alongside our SEO services for South African businesses.

AEO, GEO and SEO: What Is the Difference?

What it targetsWhat success looks like
SEO (search engine optimisation)Google and Bing results pagesYour pages rank and get clicked
AEO (answer engine optimisation)Direct answers: featured snippets, People Also Ask, voice assistants and AI OverviewsYour content is used as the answer
GEO (generative engine optimisation)AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot and PerplexityYour business is named, recommended or cited in AI answers

They overlap heavily. AI tools rely on search indexes and on what the wider web says about you, so strong SEO is the foundation for AI visibility.

What Our AI Search Optimisation Covers

✓AI visibility check: we test the questions your customers ask in AI tools and record whether your business, or a competitor, is mentioned.
✓Answer-ready content: clear service pages, pricing information and FAQ sections written in the question-and-answer format AI tools quote.
✓Structured data (schema): Organization, LocalBusiness, Service and FAQ markup so machines understand who you are, where you work and what you offer.
✓Entity and brand consistency: matching business name, address, phone and service descriptions across your website, Google Business Profile and directories.
✓Google Business Profile: categories, services, photos and reviews, which feed local AI answers. See our Google Business Profile guide.
✓Mentions and citations: getting your business mentioned on the trusted South African sites and directories that AI tools draw on.
✓Technical access: making sure search engine and AI crawlers can reach your important pages, and that your site is fast and indexable.

Who Needs AI Search Optimisation?

✓Local service businesses that get asked for recommendations, such as trades, auto services, builders and guest houses
✓Businesses whose customers compare options before buying, such as hosting, software and professional services
✓Any business that already invests in SEO and wants to protect its visibility as search changes

How We Work

1Baseline: we check your current visibility in Google and in the main AI assistants for your key questions.
2Fix the foundations: technical SEO, schema markup, Google Business Profile and on-page content.
3Build authority: content that answers your customers’ questions, plus mentions on relevant South African sites.
4Measure and report: we re-test the same questions so you can see how your visibility changes over time.

We do not promise that any AI tool will mention your business. AI answers change constantly and nobody controls them. What we do is improve the signals these tools rely on, which also strengthens your normal Google rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is answer engine optimisation (AEO)?

AEO is optimising your content so search engines and AI assistants can use it as a direct answer, for example in a featured snippet, a People Also Ask box or a Google AI Overview.

What is generative engine optimisation (GEO)?

GEO is improving how often AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot and Perplexity mention, recommend or cite your business when they generate an answer.

Is AI search optimisation different from SEO?

It builds on SEO. Rankings, technical health and content quality still matter, but AI search also depends on clear answers, structured data and what other websites say about your brand.

How much does AI search optimisation cost?

It depends on your industry, competition and starting point. Contact us for a quote, or start with one of our monthly SEO packages.

Want to know whether AI tools recommend your business today? Contact us to request an AI visibility check for your business.

Request an AI Visibility Check