SEO Glossary
24 essential terms updated for 2025
SEO
Search Engine Optimisation; improving visibility across Google and AI-driven platforms.
AEO
Answer Engine Optimisation; designing content that appears as direct answers in AI-generated results.
GEO
Generative Engine Optimisation; ensuring your brand appears (with attribution) inside AI summaries.
SERP
Search Engine Results Page; where SEO and AI Overviews now coexist.
Zero-Click Results
When users get their answer directly from AI or snippets without clicking through.
LLMO
Large Language Model Optimisation; optimising for models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
AI Visibility
How often your brand is cited or mentioned in AI-generated responses.
Semantic Search
AI's ability to understand context and intent, not just keyword matching.
Entity Recognition
How AI identifies and connects people, brands, and concepts in your content.
Markdown
Lightweight, AI-friendly formatting that maintains clean hierarchy and clarity.
Passage Ranking
Google's ability to rank individual passages within a page.
Schema Markup
Structured data (FAQ, HowTo, Article) that helps AI understand and extract your content.
Embeddings
The way AI encodes meaning to determine content relevance and citations.
Chunking
Breaking content into standalone, answerable sections AI can easily index and cite.
CSR (Client-Side Rendering)
Loading content via JavaScript; slower for AI and search crawlers.
SSR (Server-Side Rendering)
Pre-rendering content on the server so AI crawlers can access it immediately.
Citation Frequency
How often AI models quote or reference your site in answers.
Share of Voice (AI-SOV)
Your brand's percentage of mentions in AI-generated results versus competitors.
AI Snippet
The exact text block (usually 40–60 words) AI systems extract for citation.
API
Application Programming Interface; connects SEO tools and enables data automation.
SMO
Social Media Optimisation; using social platforms to boost discoverability and SEO indirectly.
ASO
App Store Optimisation; improving visibility and downloads within app stores.
PPC
Pay-Per-Click advertising; paid visibility that complements SEO performance.
CRO
Conversion Rate Optimisation; improving page experience to turn visitors into leads or customers.
The CITE Framework™ for SEO Mastery
Master modern SEO terminology and apply it strategically:
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between SEO, AEO, and GEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) focuses on ranking in Google search results. AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) focuses on getting your content cited as direct answers by AI systems. GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) specifically targets appearing with attribution in AI-generated summaries. All three work together for comprehensive search visibility.
Why is entity recognition important for AI search?
Entity recognition helps AI systems understand who or what you are. When your brand, products, or people are established as recognised entities, AI can confidently recommend you as an authority. This is built through consistent mentions, Wikipedia/Wikidata presence, and clear associations with your expertise areas.
What is content chunking and why does it matter?
Chunking means structuring content into standalone, self-contained sections that AI can independently index, retrieve, and cite. Well-chunked content with clear headings and direct answers is more likely to be extracted by AI systems when generating responses to user queries.
Should I use SSR or CSR for better AI visibility?
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is better for AI visibility because content is pre-rendered and immediately accessible to crawlers. Client-Side Rendering (CSR) relies on JavaScript execution, which many AI crawlers handle poorly or skip entirely. For maximum AI and SEO visibility, prioritise SSR or static site generation.
How do I measure AI Share of Voice?
AI Share of Voice measures how often your brand appears versus competitors in AI-generated responses. Track this using tools like Peec AI, Profound, or Semrush AIO. Run relevant queries across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini, then calculate your mention percentage compared to competitors.
What is passage ranking and why does it matter?
Passage ranking allows Google and AI systems to rank individual sections within a page, not just the entire page. According to Google, this helps 7% of searches find specific answers within longer content. Structure your pages with clear H2/H3 headings and self-contained answer blocks—each section should be independently valuable and citable.
How does zero-click search affect SEO strategy?
Zero-click searches now account for approximately 60% of all Google searches (SparkToro). Instead of fighting this trend, optimise for brand visibility within AI Overviews and featured snippets. Focus on being the cited source—even without clicks, brand impressions build recognition. Complement with strategies that drive direct traffic: email lists, branded searches, and community presence.
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