What are the Core Differences Between AEO, GEO, and SEO?

Search behaviour has changed more in the last 2 years than in the last decade.

So here’s the big question: how do SEO, AEO, and GEO actually differ—and which one should you focus on first?

Quick answer:

SEO = ranking webpages

AEO = winning featured answers

GEO = getting cited by AI tools like ChatGPT & Perplexity

With zero-click searches rising up to 50%, beginners now need more than just SEO to stay visible. This guide explains each concept clearly and shows why learning all three (as taught at Offtrack Education) is now essential for modern digital marketers.

What is SEO? The Traditional Search King

SEO is the oldest and most familiar of the trio. It stands for Search Engine Optimization. In simple terms, SEO helps your website rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), like Google’s blue links.

Think of it like dressing up your site to impress Google. You research keywords (words people type, like “digital marketing courses Kolkata“), sprinkle them in titles and content, build backlinks from other sites, and fix technical issues like slow loading speeds. Tools like Google Search Console make it easier.

SEO shines for driving clicks to your site. For years, it powered businesses—imagine a local Kolkata laptop shop ranking #1 for “best laptops under 50k” and getting steady foot traffic online.

But here’s the catch: SEO faces challenges today. Google’s updates favor quick answers over full pages, leading to “zero-click searches” where users get info without clicking through. Organic traffic from SEO dropped for many sites by 20-50% in recent years. It’s still essential, but not enough alone.

What is AEO? Answering the New Search Questions

AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, steps in where SEO stumbles. It’s about creating content that search engines (and AI tools) pull directly into “answer boxes” or featured snippets.

Picture this: Someone asks Google, “What is the best SIP for beginners in India?” Instead of just links, Google shows a boxed summary from your site. That’s AEO magic.

Key tactics include writing direct answers to questions, using FAQ sections, and adding schema markup (invisible code that tells search engines your content is an answer). It’s perfect for voice search on Siri or Alexa, which expects conversational replies.

Pros? AEO boosts visibility without needing #1 rankings—snippets get 8-10x more clicks. A Kolkata travel blogger could optimize for “Dubai visa from India” and dominate voice queries.

Downside: It requires precise, scannable content. AI must “understand” it perfectly. Tools like Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool help beginners check this.

What is GEO? Generative Engine Optimization for AI Audiences

GEO takes it further: Generative Engine Optimization optimizes for AI chatbots and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity AI.

These tools don’t just link—they generate responses by remixing web content. GEO ensures your info appears (and credits you) in those AI outputs.

How? Use authoritative language, pack in fresh statistics, add unique quotes, and cite sources. For example, instead of generic advice, say: “In 2025, GEO boosts AI visibility by 40%, per a BrightEdge study.”

It’s booming because 30%+ of searches now go through AI chats. A digital marketing consultant in Kolkata could GEO-optimize a post on “AI tools for SEO,” seeing it quoted in Perplexity responses.

Pros: Massive reach in conversational search. Cons: Less direct traffic since users stay in the AI interface. Test by prompting tools with your topics.