AEO vs GEO vs SEO vs LLMO: The 2026 Acronym Map (With Examples)

Every quarter a new acronym for 'optimizing for AI search' shows up. AEO, GEO, LLMO, AIO — they're not all the same thing, but the differences are smaller than vendors want you to think.

What's the difference between SEO, AEO, GEO, and LLMO?

SEO optimizes for traditional ranked search results (the 10 blue links). AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) optimizes for being cited inside AI-generated answers — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the broader umbrella covering all generative AI surfaces including image and shopping engines. LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization) is a synonym for AEO popularized by some agencies. In practice, the techniques overlap 80%+.

Quick definitions

SEO: get ranked. AEO: get quoted in answers. GEO: get visible in any generative output (answers, images, shopping). LLMO: typically used interchangeably with AEO.

Where they overlap

Schema markup, entity authority, content quality, freshness, and backlinks help all four. The shared playbook covers ~80% of the work.

Where they diverge

SEO still cares about meta titles, click-through rate, and SERP feature targeting. AEO/LLMO cares more about quotable answer blocks and FAQPage schema. GEO additionally cares about Product/Offer schema, image alt-text, and shopping feeds for AI shopping engines.

Which term should your team use?

AEO is the clearest and most widely understood. GEO is more accurate as an umbrella. LLMO is fading. Pick one and stick to it internally to avoid confusion — vendors will cycle through new terms but your roadmap doesn't have to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GEO the same as AEO?

GEO is broader. AEO is the answer-engine subset of GEO.

Will SEO still matter in 2027?

Yes. AI engines pull from indexed pages — if you're not indexed, you're not cited. SEO is the foundation; AEO is the layer on top.

Should I rename my SEO team?

No. Add AEO/GEO as a workstream within SEO. Renaming creates internal confusion without changing the work.

Which acronym do clients understand best?

AEO. It's the clearest and the one most C-suites have heard.