How to Rank #1 in AI Search Engines

TL;DR

AI-driven search engines are changing how buyers find information. Instead of scanning links, they get instant answers from tools like ChatGPT Search, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity and Bing Copilot. Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the strategy to make sure your website is that answer.

This guide explains what AEO is, how it works alongside Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and how B2B companies can start ranking at the top of AI-generated responses.

Why ranking in AI engines matters for B2B

AI search engines are shifting buyer behaviour.

• Less clicking, more answers: Buyers no longer scroll through ten blue links. They get one AI-generated answer.

  
  

• Fewer sources, more trust: AI tools pull from a smaller pool of trusted sites. If you are not in that pool, you are invisible.

  
  

• First mover advantage: Few B2B marketers are actively optimising for AI search. The window to stand out is open now.

If your brand is not ranking in AI responses, you are missing the new front page of search.

What is AEO?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is about optimising your website so AI-powered search tools can easily find it, understand it and present it as the definitive answer to a query.

It is not about chasing clicks. It is about being the direct answer, the one the AI quotes, summarises or cites when a buyer asks a question.

Here's a typical product search in ChatGPT

AEO vs GEO: the clear difference

While both aim to help people find your content, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Google Engine Optimization) play in different arenas. GEO focuses on ranking in traditional search results, while AEO is about being the direct answer in AI-driven responses.

Understanding the distinction is key to winning visibility in both worlds.

AEO — Answer Engine Optimisation

Focuses on ranking as the chosen answer in AI-powered tools like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT Search, Perplexity and Bing Copilot. The aim is for your content to be selected and presented as the direct response to a user’s question.

GEO — Generative Engine Optimisation

Focuses on making your brand part of the knowledge base used by generative AI systems. This means your content is cited or referenced in AI-generated summaries, comparisons and recommendations — even when the interaction is not a direct Q&A.

AEO and GEO are different:

AEO and GEO work differently from traditional SEO, and understanding the distinction is key if you want to rank in AI search. While SEO is about climbing search result pages and attracting clicks, AEO and GEO focus on positioning your brand and website so that AI tools use your content directly in their answers.

• No click required: The goal is not for a user to click to your site, it is to have your answer or brand appear directly in the AI’s output.

  
  

• Conversation driven: AI queries are longer, more conversational and more specific than traditional search keywords.

  
  

• Structured for machines: Your content must be easy for AI to parse, which means schema markup, clear formatting and answer-first writing.

  
  

• Authority matters more: AI tools draw from fewer sources. Being cited in high-authority publications can matter more than ranking for dozens of keywords.

Think of it like this: SEO gets you seen in the results. AEO and GEO get you spoken by the AI itself.

How AEO & GEO differ from SEO

Traditional SEO is about getting your pages ranked in search results on search engines such as Google and Bing and attracting clicks. You optimise for keywords, build backlinks, and ensure your site performs well technically so you appear higher in Google or Bing’s list of links.

Here's a typical product search on Google

So is Google dead then?

Not at all, but the way people use it is changing fast. Google is still the most visited website in the world, and traditional SEO is still super valuable and incredibly important for any B2B company. What’s different is how results are delivered. Instead of ten blue links, users are increasingly getting AI-generated answers right at the top of the page through Google AI Overviews.

That means you cannot rely on old-school ranking tactics alone. Your content needs to be optimised so Google’s own AI — and other AI platforms, see it as the best possible answer. AEO does not replace SEO. It makes SEO future-ready.

Source: PPC Land

How to rank higher in AI search engines

AI search is not just SEO with a twist. These engines choose answers based on clarity, authority and trust, and they rely heavily on brands they already recognise.

Here is how to position your B2B site so AI search engines pick your content as the answer, with examples for each step:

1. Identify high-value buyer questions

Talk to sales, support and customer success teams to find the exact questions your buyers are asking. Use tools like AlsoAsked, AnswerThePublic or your CRM search logs.

Example: Instead of targeting “B2B analytics tools,” identify “What is the best B2B analytics tool for SaaS companies in 2025?” as a high-intent AI search query.

2. Write in an answer-first format

Lead with a clear 1–2 sentence answer that can stand alone. Follow it with a deeper explanation and examples.

Example: “The best B2B analytics tool for SaaS companies in 2025 is Optise because it combines real-time traffic insights with AI-driven recommendations.” Then expand with comparisons and data.

3. Structure your content for machines

Break your content into sections with H2 and H3 headings. Use bullet points and numbered lists for easy scanning.

Example: A “How to implement AEO” guide with sections like “Step 1: Research,” “Step 2: Structure,” “Step 3: Test” makes it easier for AI to extract relevant chunks.

4. Add schema markup

Use FAQ, HowTo and Article schema to help AI understand your content.

Example: On your “Pricing” page, add FAQ schema for “Does Optise offer a free trial?” so AI can pull that answer directly.

5. Prioritise credibility signals

Reference statistics, link to reputable studies and highlight customer proof.

Example: “According to Gartner, 80% of B2B buying journeys will take place online by 2025” shows authority and relevance.

6. Build brand awareness

AI is more likely to quote brands it recognises. Get featured in industry publications, partner with influencers and maintain thought leadership on LinkedIn.

Example: Publish a guest post on HubSpot’s blog or be quoted in a Martech Today article about AI analytics.

7. Keep it fresh

Regularly update your high-value pages with new data, features or case studies.

Example: Update your “B2B Analytics Trends” post every quarter so AI sees it as current.

8. Test and iterate

Search for your target queries in AI tools like Perplexity, Bing Copilot or ChatGPT Search. Check if your content appears and adjust if not.

Example: If “best AI analytics for B2B” doesn’t surface your site, tweak your headings, meta descriptions and opening paragraphs.

9. Integrate with GEO

Work to ensure your brand is also present in long-form AI outputs beyond search-like answers.

Example: If someone asks ChatGPT for a “B2B analytics vendor comparison,” make sure your product has detailed, consistent descriptions across your site, partner sites and review platforms so the AI includes it.

Conclusion and next steps

The AI search race is on. For B2B marketers, winning means becoming the go-to answer in AI-generated results, not just another link in traditional search.

Start today by identifying the buyer questions you want to own, optimising them for AEO and making sure AI engines can trust and understand your answers.

Run your site through our free trial at optise.com and see how AI-powered website analytics can help you rank in AI search engines and win the next era of organic discovery.

FAQ

1. What is the main goal of AEO for B2B companies?

To get your brand selected as the top answer in AI-generated search results.

2. How is AEO different from SEO

SEO focuses on ranking and clicks. AEO focuses on being the AI’s chosen answer without a click.

3. Can I do AEO without GEO?

Yes, but combining them increases your visibility across both search and broader AI outputs.

4. Do I need a lot of traffic for AEO to work?

No. AI engines care more about clarity, authority and trust signals than pure traffic volume.

5. How important is brand awareness for AEO?

Very. AI is more likely to feature brands it recognises from multiple trusted sources.

6. How long does it take to see AEO results?

You may see changes in weeks, but full traction usually takes 2–4 months.

7. Does schema markup really make a difference?

Yes. It makes it easier for AI to parse your answers and display them accurately.

8. What kind of content works best for AEO?

FAQ pages, how-to guides, comparison posts and concise expert answers to buyer questions.

9. Can small B2B teams compete with big brands in AEO?

Yes, especially by targeting niche, long-tail questions that big brands ignore.

10. How do I measure AEO performance?

Track your appearance in AI search results, featured snippets and branded mentions in generative AI outputs.