What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing digital content to be discovered and recommended by AI-powered search platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google Gemini, and other large language models. Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking in search results, AEO ensures your brand becomes the answer AI recommends when users ask questions in your industry. Cited uses cutting-edge technology to help SMEs dominate AI-powered search through strategic optimization.

How is AEO different from SEO?

While SEO focuses on ranking high in traditional search engine results, AEO focuses on being recommended by AI platforms. AEO requires optimizing for AI comprehension, building authoritative presence across AI-accessible sources, and structuring content for natural language understanding. With 62% of searches now using AI platforms that provide zero-click answers, AEO is essential for businesses to maintain visibility in the AI-first search landscape.

Why do SMEs need AEO in 2025?

90% of businesses are currently invisible to AI search platforms, creating a massive first-mover advantage for early adopters. When potential customers ask AI for recommendations in your industry, you want to be the answer AI provides. Cited helps SMEs leverage this opportunity using advanced AEO strategies, with clients typically seeing measurable improvements within 90 days.

How long does it take to see results from AEO?

Most Cited clients see measurable improvements in AI visibility within 90 days of implementation. Our four-phase methodology (Discover, Strategize, Implement, Amplify) is designed to deliver progressive results, with initial AI recommendations appearing as early as the first month and comprehensive dominance achieved within the 90-day timeframe.

What AI platforms does Cited optimize for?

Cited optimizes your brand for all major AI search platforms including ChatGPT (OpenAI), Perplexity, Claude (Anthropic), Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and other emerging large language models. Our cutting-edge technology ensures comprehensive visibility across the entire AI search ecosystem, making your business discoverable regardless of which platform your customers use.

Substack

Journal

Thoughts on AEO, AI search, and the future of brand visibility — by Dori Labaki

SubstackMay 4, 2026

The Quote Test: Why Most Brand Copy Fails in AI Search

If a model can't lift a sentence cleanly, it won't cite you.

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SubstackApril 27, 2026

Stop Measuring Traffic. Start Measuring Mentions.

Your dashboard is still showing yesterday's game.

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SubstackApril 26, 2026

Original Research Is the New Backlink

In the AI search economy, primary data beats polished prose every time.

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SubstackMarch 13, 2026

AI Is Ruthless at Solving Problems

Why the human layer matters more than ever

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SubstackFebruary 22, 2026

Forget Everything You Know About SEO

For 20 years, marketers optimised for Google. The game changed while they weren’t looking.

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SubstackFebruary 8, 2026

You're Not Being Outranked. You're Being Overlooked.

Why AI cites some brands on repeat and pretends others don't exist.

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SubstackFebruary 4, 2026

Search Everywhere Optimization: Why Google Is No Longer the Whole Picture

30 years ago, finding an answer meant going to a library, pulling several books on the same topic, and spending hours skimming through chapters to piece…

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SubstackFebruary 1, 2026

The AI Authority Index

Understanding how growth-stage businesses become recognized sources in AI and search platforms

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