Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and how we help businesses get recommended by AI.
What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing your online content so that AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI recommend your business when people ask relevant questions.
Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking in Google search results, AEO focuses on being cited and recommended by AI chatbots.
Think of it this way: When someone asks ChatGPT "Who's the best plumber in Manchester?" or "Which accounting software should I use?" — AEO makes sure YOUR business is in that answer.
How is AEO different from SEO?
Great question! Here's the breakdown:
Traditional SEO:
- Optimizes for Google search rankings
- Takes 6-12 months to see results
- Uses keywords and backlinks
- Aims to appear in top 10 results
- Requires constant algorithm updates
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization):
- Optimizes for AI recommendations
- Takes 2-6 weeks to see results
- Uses clear structured answers and data
- Aims to be directly cited by AI
- Focuses on being the most helpful answer
Bottom line: AEO is faster, more direct, and targets where people are increasingly looking for answers — AI chatbots.
Which AI platforms do you optimize for?
We optimize for the top 5 AI platforms that people use daily:
- ChatGPT (100M+ users) — OpenAI's flagship chatbot
- Claude (Anthropic) — Known for detailed, thoughtful responses
- Perplexity — AI-powered search engine with citations
- Google AI Overview (formerly SGE) — Google's AI-powered search summaries
- Microsoft Copilot (Bing AI) — Integrated into Windows and Edge
These platforms cover the vast majority of AI-powered searches happening today.
What does the process involve?
Our process has 4 clear steps:
Week 1: We Check Where You Show Up Now
We audit your current AI visibility by testing 50+ relevant questions across all platforms. You get a report showing exactly where you appear (or don't).
Weeks 2-4: We Make Your Website AI-Friendly
We optimize your existing content with structured data, clear FAQs, and AI-friendly formatting. We typically enhance 5-15 key pages.
Ongoing: We Track Your Progress
You get monthly reports showing your AI mention counts, platform-by-platform breakdowns, competitor comparisons, and trending improvements.
Ongoing: We Keep Improving
As AI tools evolve, we continuously update your optimization to maintain and improve your visibility.
You get full transparency with deliverables at each step. See the detailed timeline →
Do I need to change my entire website?
No. We typically optimize 5-15 key pages on your website — the ones most relevant to questions people ask AI.
We don't rebuild your site. We enhance existing content with:
- Structured data (Schema markup)
- Clear, direct answers to common questions
- AI-friendly formatting and organization
- FAQ sections where relevant
Most changes are additions rather than replacements. Your website still looks and functions the same — it just works better with AI.
How do you measure success?
We track AI mention counts by testing 50+ relevant questions across all platforms every month.
Your monthly report shows:
- Mention count: How many times your business is mentioned
- Platform breakdown: Which AI tools recommend you
- Competitor comparison: How you compare to competitors
- Trending improvements: How your visibility is growing over time
Our clients see an average 3X increase in AI recommendations within 12 weeks.
No vague promises — just clear numbers showing exactly where you appear.
Will this help my Google rankings too?
Yes! The optimizations we make also help traditional SEO.
Things like structured data, clear answers, organized FAQs, and quality content improvements benefit both AI visibility and Google rankings.
Many clients see improvements in:
- Google search rankings
- Featured snippet appearances
- Google AI Overview mentions
- Overall organic traffic
However, our primary focus is AI visibility, which delivers faster results (2-6 weeks vs 6-12 months for traditional SEO).
How much does AEO cost?
We offer three packages to fit different business sizes:
Starter — £997/month
For small businesses and consultants. Includes AI visibility audit, 5 pages optimized, monthly reporting, and email support.
Growth — £1,997/month
For established businesses. Includes everything in Starter plus 15 pages optimized, competitor tracking, priority support, and monthly strategy calls.
Enterprise — £4,997/month
For large organizations. Includes everything in Growth plus unlimited pages optimized, custom dashboards, dedicated account manager, and weekly calls.
All packages include AI visibility audits, content optimization, monthly reporting, and ongoing support. See full pricing details →
Is there a setup fee?
No setup fees. The prices you see on our pricing page are all-inclusive.
We believe in simple, transparent pricing. What you see is what you pay — no hidden costs, no surprise bills.
Can I cancel anytime?
We ask for a minimum 3-month commitment because AEO takes time to show results (though 73% of clients see results within 4 weeks).
After the initial 3 months, you can cancel with 30 days' notice.
Most clients stay much longer because they see consistent improvements in their AI visibility month after month.
How long does it take to see results?
Most businesses see their first AI recommendation within 2-6 weeks.
73% of our clients get results within the first month.
This is much faster than traditional SEO which typically takes 6-12 months to see meaningful results.
Typical timeline:
- Weeks 2-6: First AI mentions appear
- Week 8: Consistent recommendations across platforms
- Week 12: 3X increase in mentions (average)
What if I don't see results?
We're confident in our process — 73% of clients see results within 4 weeks.
However, AEO is not instant. We ask for a minimum 3-month commitment because some industries take longer.
If you're not seeing progress after 3 months, we'll work with you to identify issues and adjust our approach at no extra cost.
Our goal is your success. If something isn't working, we fix it.
What industries do you work with?
We work with any business where people ask AI for recommendations:
- Professional services: Lawyers, accountants, consultants
- Local services: Plumbers, electricians, contractors
- E-commerce: Product recommendations and reviews
- SaaS and tech: Software comparisons and solutions
- Healthcare and wellness: Clinics, therapists, coaches
- Education and training: Courses, tutoring, certifications
If people ask AI about your industry, AEO can help.
Can I do AEO myself?
Technically yes, but it's complex and time-consuming.
You need to:
- Test 50+ questions monthly across 5 platforms
- Understand structured data markup (Schema.org)
- Write AI-optimized content (different from SEO writing)
- Track and analyze results systematically
- Stay updated with AI platform changes
Most businesses find it more cost-effective to hire specialists who do this full-time.
We've done this 50+ times and have refined processes that get results fast.
How do I get started?
Three simple steps:
1) Check Your Current Visibility (Free)
Use our free AI Visibility Checker to see where you currently stand. Takes 30 seconds, no email required.
2) Book a Discovery Call
Schedule a 15-minute call to discuss your business, goals, and which package fits best. No pressure, no lengthy proposals.
3) We Get Started
Once you're ready, we create a custom strategy and get started within 48 hours. You'll have access to your dashboard and see progress immediately.