Evolving From SEO to AEO: How SMART Agencies Are Rethinking Content

What Is AI Engine Optimization (AEO)?

AI Engine Optimization (AEO) helps your content show up in AI-generated answers.
It’s the process of making content clear, structured, and human enough for large language models (LLMs) — like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity — to easily understand and quote.

In short:

AEO helps agencies create content that performs in both search results and AI-generated responses.

Why SEO Alone Isn’t Enough

Search engines rank pages. AI assistants summarize answers.

That shift changes how we write. Traditional SEO focuses on keywords, backlinks, and metadata. AEO focuses on clarity, context, and intent — the elements AI uses to identify the best answer.

If your content isn’t built for how people ask questions, it won’t appear where they look for answers.

How SMART Agencies Are Evolving for AEO

Agencies that adapt quickly are redefining how their teams plan, create, and distribute content.

At Hive Strategy, we’ve built a holistic approach to AEO that touches every part of our marketing process — from strategy and keyword planning to optimization and reporting.

Here’s how SMART agencies are making that shift.

1. User Intent Comes First

Every AEO-driven strategy starts with understanding what people actually ask — not just what they search. Teams identify 3–5 real questions their audience might type or say.

These questions shape content strategy, campaign messaging, and even CTA alignment.

Focusing on intent ensures that every piece of content provides direct, useful answers — the kind AI systems prioritize when generating responses.

AEO begins with empathy: knowing what your audience wants to understand, not just what they want to click.

2. Keywords and Topics, Simplified

Traditional SEO fixates on keyword volume. AEO focuses on topic depth and context.

SMART agencies identify:

One primary topic or key phrase (e.g., AI Engine Optimization).
A handful of supporting questions or terms.
Recognizable industry or brand references to build topical authority.

This keeps the writing natural while giving both humans and LLMs the context they need to connect ideas across platforms.

3. Structure for Retrieval

AEO requires clarity that machines can parse and humans can skim. Here at HIVE Strategy, we design every asset — blogs, guides, even social copy — for retrieval, not just readability.

Each section answers a single question. Headings are written like prompts (“What Is AEO?” “How Does AEO Improve Discoverability?”). Bulleted lists, concise summaries, and one-sentence takeaways make content easy to quote, summarize, or feature.

If an AI assistant can identify your key point in one glance, you’re doing AEO right.

4. Add FAQs for Depth and Structure

FAQs mirror how people naturally phrase questions in AI tools. Adding a short, structured FAQ section at the end of blogs, webpages, or even email campaigns reinforces authority and boosts snippet potential.

We've also started to repurpose FAQs into voice-search-ready content and chatbot training data, making their insights accessible across every digital touchpoint.

5. Eliminate Fluff — Everywhere

AEO rewards clarity and substance. Every line should deliver value, context, or proof.
No filler. No jargon.

Short sentences and plain language improve both comprehension and retrievability. From blog copy to landing pages, teams that write like humans — for humans — win visibility across human and AI audiences alike.

AEO isn’t about sounding smarter. It’s about being easier to understand.

The Impact of AEO

Agencies adopting AEO see clearer strategies, faster approvals, and stronger discoverability across both search and AI tools.

For agencies:

Simplifies collaboration between strategists and writers.
Builds authority through structured, quotable content.
Keeps clients visible as AI-driven discovery grows.

For clients:

Expands reach in AI platforms.
Strengthens brand trust through clear, expert answers.
Future-proofs content against evolving discovery trends.

Getting Started With AEO

You don’t need to overhaul everything to begin. Start small with just one campaign or one blog post.

Identify a question-based topic.
Write headers as questions.
Use short, factual sentences.
Add a brief FAQ section.
Track results in both search and AI discovery tools.

Refine, repeat, and scale what works. AEO success builds over time just like SEO once did.

FAQs

What’s the difference between SEO and AEO?
SEO targets search engines. AEO makes content understandable and retrievable by AI systems.

Do I need to change my keywords?
No. Use them naturally and support them with related topics and questions.

Does AEO replace SEO?
No. AEO builds on SEO — it’s the next layer of optimization for AI-driven discovery.

How do I know if AEO is working?
Track engagement from AI platforms and monitor your content’s inclusion in AI-generated summaries or snippets.

AEO is the next evolution of SEO. Agencies that master it now will lead in visibility, authority, and client results. SMART agencies aren’t just adapting — they’re building content that’s ready for both people and machines.