The search landscape has shifted dramatically. While 53% of website traffic still comes from traditional organic search, AI-powered answer engines are capturing an increasingly significant share of user queries. This evolution demands a strategic approach that bridges traditional SEO with Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).
The most successful brands aren't choosing between SEO and AEO. They're mastering both. Research shows that websites implementing hybrid SEO-AEO strategies experience 14% higher click-through rates than those relying solely on traditional optimisation methods.
What follows are ten essential on-page fixes that will enhance your AEO performance while maintaining your SEO foundation. These aren't theoretical concepts, they're practical optimisations that deliver measurable results in both traditional search rankings and AI-generated answers.
Understanding the Shift from SEO to AEO
Traditional search behaviour is evolving rapidly. Where users once typed fragmented keyword phrases, they now engage in full conversations with search engines. Over 58% of search queries in 2025 are conversational in nature, reflecting a fundamental change in how people seek information online.
This shift has profound implications for content creators. AI-powered search experiences, from Google's AI Overviews to ChatGPT and Perplexity, prioritise content that provides direct, authoritative answers to specific questions. According to Gartner predictions, 25% of search traffic will shift to AI assistants by 2026, making AEO optimisation not just beneficial but essential.
The key insight? AI engines are selective. They favour content that demonstrates clear expertise, answers questions directly, and presents information in structured formats that machines can easily interpret and users can quickly consume
Increase your visibility in AI-driven search with Answer Engine Optimization. We’ll help your business rank in Google SGE, ChatGPT, and Bing Copilot, driving more traffic, trust, and conversions while strengthening your online presence.
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10 Critical On-Page SEO Fixes for AEO Success
Target Long-Tail Conversational Phrases
Move beyond traditional keyword targeting to embrace the natural language patterns your audience actually uses. Instead of optimising for "AEO benefits," target complete questions like "What are the benefits of Answer Engine Optimization for businesses?"
This shift reflects how users interact with AI search tools. They ask complete questions in natural language, expecting comprehensive yet concise responses. Your content should mirror this conversational approach while maintaining the depth that traditional SEO requires.
Research question-based queries using tools like AnswerThePublic and Google's "People Also Ask" feature. These insights reveal the exact phrasing your audience uses when seeking answers, providing the foundation for both your content structure and optimisation strategy.
Implement Question-Style Headings
Transform your content structure to directly address user queries. Replace generic headings like "Features" with specific questions such as "How does AEO improve search visibility?" This approach serves dual purposes: it guides human readers through your content logically while signalling to AI engines that your content provides direct answers.
Question-style headings should reflect real searches in your industry. Analyse your search console data to identify query patterns, then structure your headings to match these natural language searches. This alignment increases your chances of being selected for featured snippets and AI-generated answers.
Add Comprehensive Schema Markup
Structured data transforms your content from human-readable text into machine-interpretable information. Implement FAQ, HowTo, and Article schema markup to help AI engines understand your content's purpose and structure.
Schema markup is particularly crucial for AEO because it provides the context AI systems need to confidently include your content in answer compilations. Pages with proper structured data implementation see significantly higher selection rates for featured snippets and AI overviews.
Validate your schema implementation using Google's Structured Data Testing Tool, ensuring that your markup accurately reflects your visible content without discrepancies that could harm your credibility with search engines.
Eliminate Keyword Stuffing for Natural Language
AI systems prioritise semantic richness over keyword density. Focus on natural language that provides genuine value rather than repetitive keyword usage. This shift requires rethinking content creation. Write for human understanding first, then optimise for search visibility.
Modern AI engines excel at understanding context and intent. They can identify when content provides authentic expertise versus when it's optimised purely for search engines. Authenticity wins in the AEO environment, making natural, conversational content more valuable than ever.
Provide Direct, Immediate Answers
Structure your content with the inverted pyramid approach: lead with the direct answer, then provide supporting detail. When someone asks, "What is AEO?" provide a clear, concise definition within the first 40-60 words, then elaborate with examples and context.
This structure satisfies both quick answer seekers and those requiring comprehensive information. AI engines favour content that immediately addresses the user's query, while human readers appreciate the option to dive deeper when needed.
Optimise for Voice Search and Mobile
Voice search queries are inherently conversational and mobile-focused. Ensure your content performs excellently on mobile devices with fast loading times, readable fonts, and intuitive navigation. Voice search users expect immediate, accurate answers delivered in a format that works seamlessly across devices.
Test your content's voice search compatibility by reading your answers aloud. If they sound unnatural when spoken, revise them for conversational flow. This approach improves both voice search performance and overall user experience.
Create Comprehensive FAQ Sections
Develop FAQ sections that address the specific questions your audience asks about your topic. Use clear question headings followed by direct, authoritative answers. Implement FAQPage schema to structure this information for AI consumption.
Your FAQ sections should anticipate follow-up questions that naturally arise from your main content. This comprehensive approach positions your page as the definitive resource on the topic, increasing the likelihood of AI citation across multiple related queries.
Avoid Treating AEO as Separate from SEO
The most effective approach integrates AEO enhancements with solid SEO fundamentals. Maintain your technical optimisation, content depth, and authority building while adding answer-specific elements. This hybrid strategy ensures visibility across both traditional search results and AI-generated answers.
Remember that AI engines often rely on traditional SEO signals. Domain authority, content comprehensiveness, and technical performance, when selecting sources for answers. Strong SEO provides the foundation that makes AEO optimisation effective.
Monitor Performance Across Multiple Platforms
Track your content's performance beyond traditional search rankings. Monitor featured snippet appearances, voice search visibility, and citations in AI-generated answers. This comprehensive measurement approach reveals which optimisations deliver the greatest impact across different search experiences.
Test your content's performance across various AI platforms like ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews, and Perplexity. To understand how different systems interpret and present your information. This insight guides future optimisation efforts and ensures broad visibility across the evolving search ecosystem.
The Future of Integrated Search Optimisation
The relationship between SEO and AEO will continue evolving as AI search capabilities advance. Successful brands are already preparing for this future by building content strategies that serve both human readers and AI interpreters effectively.
The organisations that thrive in this new environment will be those that view AEO not as a replacement for SEO, but as its natural evolution. By implementing these ten on-page fixes, you'll position your content for success across traditional search results and emerging AI-powered answer experiences.
The search revolution is underway. The question isn't whether to adapt. It's how quickly you can implement the changes that will secure your visibility in the AI-driven search era.
Key Features
Combine SEO and AEO for maximum search visibility.
Use question-based headings to match conversational queries.
Implement structured data for AI content interpretation.
Provide concise, direct answers with supporting context clearly.
Monitor AI citations and optimize content performance continuously.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Can I use AEO alongside my current SEO strategies?
What are the core components of AEO best practices?
How does structured data enhance AEO efforts?
Do AI-powered search engines still value traditional ranking factors?
How can I measure the success of my AEO efforts?
How can I measure the success of my AEO efforts?
Stay Ahead in the AI Search Era
AI-driven engines are reshaping how users discover brands. Let’s optimize your content for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google SGE to keep you visible and relevant.
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