These notes are based on the YouTube video by None

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Key Takeaways

• AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is the practice of making your brand visible to AI‑driven answer engines (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, etc.).
• Measurement first: Use tools like HubSpot’s free AEO Grader to see where you already appear and where the gaps are. For a step‑by‑step guide on building AI‑friendly pages, see our AEO checklist.
• Technical basics
  • Most AI answer engines still rely on static crawls and prefer plain HTML for critical data. A growing number (e.g., Perplexity’s 2025‑2026 crawler) can handle limited JavaScript, but you should verify with an AEO‑specific test.
  • Critical brand information (e.g., pricing) should be served in plain HTML or static pages to guarantee accessibility.
• Content structure matters
  • Use clear headings, bullet points, tables, and “atomic” paragraphs that cover one idea each.
  • Provide unique, data‑driven facts that LLMs can cite.
• Meta descriptions: Unlike classic SEO, LLMs often favor a meta description that summarizes the answer rather than omitting it.
• Off‑site strategy
  • High‑quality, relevant links (e.g., Reddit participation, digital PR) outweigh sheer volume. For tactics on getting branded mentions that AI will surface, check out how to earn ChatGPT recommendations.
  • Consistent messaging across the web (micro‑sites, press releases, community posts) helps LLMs surface your brand.
• Prioritize overlap: Focus on the 2‑3 channels where your audience spends time and where LLMs source information.
• AEO ≠ just SEO: It’s a cross‑functional content strategy that requires alignment across product, marketing, PR, and community teams.

Detailed Explanations

What is AEO?

“The art and science of getting visibility on AI surfaces like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, etc.”

AEO expands traditional SEO beyond keyword rankings on search engine result pages (SERPs). It targets the answer‑generation pipelines of large language models (LLMs) that power conversational AI tools.

Why Measurement Comes First

1. Identify current visibility – Run the brand through the AEO Grader (free, multilingual) to see which answer engines are already citing you.
2. Spot gaps – Compare your brand’s presence against competitors; prioritize high‑impact gaps (e.g., branded terms, pricing).
3. Set baseline metrics – Track changes over time to prove ROI for AEO initiatives.

🔗 See Also: The Ultimate AI SEO Playbook - Rank #1 in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini & More

Technical Considerations

• JavaScript rendering:

  • Google can parse JavaScript, and a growing subset of LLM crawlers (e.g., Perplexity’s 2025+ engine) can handle limited JS.
  • Best practice: Serve essential data (pricing, specs, contact info) in plain HTML or static pages. Verify crawlability with the AEO Grader or a similar tool.
  • Illustrative example: HubSpot’s pricing page was originally JavaScript‑rendered, which limited ChatGPT’s ability to read it. Publishing a static pricing blog post improved AI‑derived pricing accuracy. (This anecdote is used for illustration; the specific case has not been independently verified.)

• HTML accessibility: Ensure that essential data lives in plain HTML elements (tables, lists, headings) that crawlers can read without execution.

💡 Related: Pieter Levels’ Genius Programmatic SEO Strategy Explained

Content Structuring for LLMs

• Atomic units: Write paragraphs that focus on a single concept.

  ## Pricing Overview
  Our Basic plan costs $19/month and includes…

• Clear hierarchy: Use H2/H3 headings, bullet points, and tables to break information into digestible chunks.
• Unique data points: Publish proprietary statistics or case studies; LLMs favor sources that provide exclusive facts.
• Meta descriptions:
  • Traditional SEO sometimes omits meta descriptions to let Google generate snippets.
  • For AI answer engines, include a concise answer in the meta description; it improves the chance the LLM will surface that content.

Off‑Site Signals

Reddit

• Why it works: Reddit’s community‑driven format yields high‑quality, context‑rich mentions that LLMs treat as authoritative.
• Tactics:
  • Identify relevant subreddits.
  • Participate authentically (answer questions, share insights).
  • Consider creating a brand‑specific subreddit for community building.

Digital PR & Micro‑Sites

• Message consistency: Pitch the same key statistic or claim across press releases, guest posts, and micro‑sites.
• Micro‑sites: Small, purpose‑built sites allow you to control the narrative and host data points that LLMs can cite.
• Raffle analogy: Think of each mention as a raffle ticket; more tickets with the same core message increase the odds that an LLM will select your brand as the answer source.

🔗 See Also: How to Build a Page AI Will Love (AEO Checklist) | Field Notes

Aligning Channels & Resources

• Overlap optimization: Identify the intersection of (a) where your target audience spends time and (b) which AI answer engines draw data from.
  • Example: If your audience uses ChatGPT and Reddit, prioritize high‑quality Reddit engagement and AI‑friendly content.
• Cross‑functional buy‑in: Successful AEO requires coordination between content creators, SEO specialists, product marketers, and PR teams.
• Avoid siloed tactics: Even if a tactic works for classic SEO, test it for LLMs (e.g., meta description strategy).

Summary

AEO is emerging as the next frontier for brand visibility as conversational AI tools become primary information sources. The process starts with measuring current AI presence using tools like HubSpot’s free AEO Grader, then addressing technical gaps (e.g., serving critical data in plain HTML and confirming crawlability). Content must be highly structured and atomic, with clear headings, bullet points, and unique data points that LLMs can easily parse. Off‑site tactics—especially authentic Reddit participation, focused digital PR, and consistent messaging across micro‑sites—amplify the brand’s signal to AI engines.

Crucially, AEO is more than SEO; it’s a holistic content strategy that demands alignment across the organization and a focus on the overlap between audience habits and AI data sources. By prioritizing measurement, technical accessibility, structured content, and strategic off‑site signals, brands can secure a place in the AI‑driven answer landscape and avoid becoming invisible as ChatGPT‑style search continues to grow.