Aeo Optimization

# AI Engine Optimization (AEO) Skill


**Purpose:** Optimize content for AI engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews) so your brand gets cited in AI-generated answers.

**Source:** Based on [HubSpot's AEO Guide](https://www.hubspot.com/aeo) and industry best practices.

---

## Why AEO Matters Now

```
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  THE GREAT DECOUPLING                                          │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│  Impressions ≠ Clicks anymore.                                 │
│  AI engines compile answers from multiple sources.             │
│  More buyer journey happens inside chat experiences.           │
│  58% of Google searches = zero clicks (AI overviews).          │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  THE OPPORTUNITY                                               │
│  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│  Shape what AI engines say about your category and product.    │
│  Get cited as the authoritative source.                        │
│  Best answer > Best page ranking.                              │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

**Key Stats:**
- 70% of consumers use ChatGPT for searches
- 47% of Google queries show AI overviews
- Average ChatGPT prompt: 23 words (vs 4.2 for Google)
- AEO market: $886M (2024) → $7.3B (2031)

---

## How AI Engines Choose Answers

AI engines use three main signals to select content for answers:

### 1. Consensus

Facts that appear across multiple credible sources get trusted and reused.

**How to build consensus:**
- Repeat key facts consistently across your own pages
- Use same terminology as industry leaders
- Link to and from authoritative external sources
- Create internal content clusters that reinforce each other