AI Search Glossary 2025
Must-know AEO, GEO, and Generative Search Terms
GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)
Optimisation strategy targeting AI platforms that generate synthesised answers from multiple sources (Gemini, ChatGPT Search, Perplexity).
AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation)
The practice of optimising content to appear as direct answers in AI-powered search results and chatbots, rather than just ranking as clickable links.
AI Visibility
How prominently and frequently your brand appears in AI-generated responses across different platforms.
Content Attribution
How AI systems identify and credit original sources when generating responses.
Entity Recognition
AI's ability to identify and understand specific people, places, brands, or concepts within content.
Semantic Search
AI's ability to understand query intent and context, not just keyword matching.
Schema Markup
Structured data code that helps AI systems understand and extract specific information from your content.
AI Overviews
Google's AI-generated answer blocks that appear above traditional search results.
Zero-Click Results
Search results where users get their answer directly from AI-generated summaries without clicking through to websites.
Chunking / Content Chunking
Breaking content into logical, self-contained segments that AI systems can independently index, retrieve, and cite.
Passage Ranking
Google's system for identifying and surfacing the most relevant passage within a page, even if the overall page isn't highly ranked.
Query Fan-Out
When AI systems expand a single user query into multiple related background queries to build comprehensive answers.
GPTBot / PerplexityBot / GeminiBot
Specific AI crawlers that index content for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini respectively.
Citation Frequency
How often your content gets referenced or quoted in AI-generated answers.
Digital Brand Echo
The cumulative digital footprint that influences how AI systems perceive and cite your brand.
Hybrid Search
Search systems that combine traditional keyword matching with AI-powered semantic understanding.
AI Snippet
The specific text excerpt that AI systems extract and display in their generated responses.
Passage Slicing
AI's ability to extract and rank specific passages or sections from longer content, independent of the full page ranking.
Synthetic Queries
Additional queries AI systems generate to gather comprehensive information for a single user question.
Core Web Vitals
Google's speed and UX metrics that still influence AI crawler performance.
The CITE Framework™
Put these glossary terms into action with our proprietary methodology:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GEO and AEO?
GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) focuses on appearing in AI platforms that synthesise information—being part of ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini conversations. AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) focuses on being cited as the direct answer in AI Overviews and featured snippets. GEO is about multi-source synthesis; AEO is about being the authoritative extracted source. Both require structured, extractable content.
What is Query Fan-Out and why should I care?
Query Fan-Out is when AI systems expand your single question into 2-11 sub-queries to gather comprehensive information. Google AI Mode can run up to 11 sub-queries for complex questions. "Best CRM for startups" triggers searches about features, pricing, reviews, and integrations. Creating content that answers related sub-questions increases your chances of being cited across multiple fan-out queries.
How do AI crawlers differ from Google's crawler?
AI crawlers (GPTBot, PerplexityBot, ClaudeBot, OAI-SearchBot) index specifically for AI-generated responses, prioritising extractable passages and factual content. ChatGPT uses Bing for searches; Perplexity shows sub-queries transparently. Check robots.txt—many CMSs block AI crawlers by default. Allow both crawler types for maximum visibility across all search surfaces.
What is Digital Brand Echo?
Digital Brand Echo is the cumulative digital presence shaping how AI perceives your brand—mentions across websites, reviews, social media, Wikipedia, news articles. Reddit mentions appear in 46.7% of AI citations. A strong echo means consistent, positive signals from multiple sources, making AI more likely to recommend you. Build presence on platforms AI actively consults.
How do I optimise for Passage Ranking?
Structure content with clear H2/H3 headings that could stand alone as questions. Place direct answers (40-60 words) at the beginning of sections. Use bullet points and numbered lists—listicles trigger AI Overviews 32.5% of the time. Ensure each passage can stand alone as a complete answer. seoClarity found 97% of AI Overviews cite top-20 organic pages.
What does zero-click results mean for my strategy?
60% of Google searches now end without a click—users get answers from featured snippets, AI Overviews, or knowledge panels. With AI search, the percentage is even higher. This means ranking alone isn't enough; you need to BE the answer shown. Optimise for citations not just rankings. Ensure your brand is mentioned even when users don't click through.
Ready to Dominate AI Search Results?
Our SEO agency specializes in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies that get your brand cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. We combine traditional SEO expertise with cutting-edge AI visibility tactics.