SEO (search engine optimization) aims to rank your pages in search results so people click through to your site. AEO (answer engine optimization) aims to get your brand named or cited inside the answer an AI system writes, whether or not anyone clicks.
The two overlap more than the acronyms suggest. Google says its AI features are built on its core Search ranking systems, so a page that cannot be crawled or ranked is unlikely to be cited. The differences are in emphasis and measurement. SEO tracks rankings, traffic and conversions. AEO tracks mentions, citations and share of answers across engines, and it leans harder on third-party sources such as reviews, directories and press coverage.
Most businesses need both. EliteAEO publishes independent rankings of AEO providers that check whether an agency measures AI visibility, not just rankings.