What is AEO — and why your competitors hope you never find out
AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is making your business the answer AI gives. When someone asks ChatGPT or Google's AI "best grab hire near Chelmsford", the AI names ONE or TWO firms — not ten blue links. AEO is how you become that name.
Why it matters right now
68% of Google searches now end without a click — the AI answer IS the result
AI reads structured data (schema), entity pages and citations — not your pretty design
Most local trade sites score badly: of 8 real Essex firms we audited this week, scores ranged from 5/18 to 16/18
What AEO work actually involves
Schema markup — LocalBusiness, FAQ and Offer data AI can read
Entity pages — clear who/what/where content answering real questions
Citations — consistent name-address-phone across the directories AI trusts
An AI-visibility baseline — measure before and after
Test your own site free: our scanner checks what AI sees in 10 seconds — networknick.co.uk (right under the hero). No signup, no spam.
Want this handled for you? 15 years, 1,000s of #1 rankings — DMT, WCR, Randalls & GTS trust us. WhatsApp Nick — 07377 799 306