How to get cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring content so AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude cite it as a source when they generate answers. Unlike SEO (which optimizes for click-through), AEO optimizes for citation — being extracted, quoted, and linked by AI systems mid-answer. Based on Ahrefs Brand Radar analysis of 15,000 prompts, only 12% of AI-cited content overlaps with Google's top 10 results — meaning traditional SEO alone doesn't earn AI citations.
Updated weekly with case studies, benchmarks, and the latest citation patterns across ChatGPT (2B queries/day), Perplexity, Google AI Mode, and Claude. Sources are cited inline in every post.
Real AEO wins
6x AI-referred trials in 7 weeks. 209% LLM mention increase in 90 days. Documented case studies with citations to primary sources.
BEST PRACTICESThe 2026 playbook
Answer-first structure. FAQPage schema. Fresh dates. Author entities. What actually moves citation rates per AirOps 2026 report.
WEEKLY UPDATESWhat's new this week
Latest changes from Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity that affect AI search visibility. Fresh evidence, dated sources.
Common questions
What is AEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is structuring content so AI platforms cite it as a source inside AI-generated answers. Only 12% of AI-cited content overlaps with Google's top 10 results — AEO is a separate discipline from SEO.
Which AI engines matter for AEO in 2026?
ChatGPT (2B queries/day), Google AI Overviews (55% of searches), Perplexity (fastest feedback loop for testing), and Claude with web search. Start with Perplexity — fastest to test and iterate.
Does llms.txt help with AI citations?
Per SE Ranking's 2026 study of 300,000 domains: no direct impact on citation rates. Ship it for agent routing, but expect citation lift from FAQPage schema and answer-first content structure instead.