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What is answer engine optimization (AEO)?
Answer engine optimization, or AEO, means shaping your online information so AI tools can confidently use it to answer a direct question, like "who's the best florist near me?". It's about being the answer, not just a link on a results page.
Em termos simples
AEO is making sure your business information is clear and trustworthy enough that an AI tool will confidently state it as the answer to someone's question. In plain English: it's about being the one name the AI mentions, not just one of ten blue links.
Why does it matter for a small business?
When someone asks an AI assistant "where's a good dentist in São Paulo?", they often get one direct answer rather than a list to scroll through. If your business isn't the one mentioned, you may lose that customer entirely, because they never see a results page to scroll past.
What helps AI tools trust your business?
- An accurate, complete Google Business Profile.
- A healthy number of reviews, especially ones you've replied to.
- Consistent name, address and phone number across the web.
- A clear description of what you do and where you serve.
How do you check your AEO performance?
Ask the AI tools your customers might use the questions they'd realistically type, and note whether your business is mentioned, ignored, or mentioned with wrong information. Doing this regularly across several tools is tedious by hand, so automated checking saves real time.
How Local SEO AI helps
Local SEO AI's AI search check does exactly this, asking ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok whether they'd recommend your business, then repeating the check every two weeks so you can see whether your visibility is moving in the right direction.
Perguntas frequentes
Is AEO just for big companies?
No. Small businesses can show up in AI answers too, often more easily for very local questions, because AI tools lean on local information like your Google Business Profile.
How is AEO different from SEO?
SEO aims to rank in a list of search results. AEO aims to be the direct answer an AI tool gives, without the customer seeing a list at all.
Can I improve my AEO without a website?
Yes, a strong Google Business Profile and a brand page both give AI tools information to work with, even without a traditional website.
How often should I check my AEO performance?
Every couple of weeks is reasonable, since AI answers can shift as your reviews and profile information change.
Is it safe to connect my Google Business Profile?
Yes. You connect through Google's own sign-in screen, so we never see your Google password, and the access key Google gives us is stored encrypted. You can disconnect at any time from your settings or your Google account.
What happens if I run out of credits?
AI actions pause until your monthly credits refresh, or you can top up 500 credits for £12 at any time. Nothing is charged without you choosing it, and any action that fails is refunded automatically.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Cancel during the 14-day free trial (which includes 250 trial credits) and you aren't charged. After your first payment you have 30 days to ask for a full refund. After that, cancelling stops the plan renewing at the end of the year or month you paid for.
Relacionado
- AI search visibility
- User guide: AI search
- Google Business Profile performance metrics
- Plans and pricing