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Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): The New SEO for AI Search
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Incantum AI
7 min read
## From links to answers
Search is shifting from ranking blue links to synthesizing answers. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring content so AI systems can extract, trust, and cite it.
## The three pillars
1. **Extractable structure** — clear headings, concise definitions, and FAQ blocks with schema markup.
2. **Verifiable authority** — citations, author identity, and consistent entity data.
3. **Machine-readable signals** — JSON-LD, `llms.txt`, and clean semantic HTML.
## Why FAQs matter
Answer engines favor question-answer pairs because they map directly to user intent. A well-marked FAQ section is one of the highest-leverage AEO investments.
## Getting started
Start with structured data, add an `llms.txt`, and make every important claim independently verifiable.