Search is changing faster than most businesses realize.
Where we used to “Google it,” today we ask ChatGPT, scroll Perplexity, or glance at a Google AI Overview. In fact, more than 60% of Google searches already end without a click, and AI tools are speeding up the shift.
That means your prospects might already be finding answers about your business… without ever visiting your website.
So how do you make sure your business doesn’t get left behind? The answer is AEO—Answer Engine Optimization.
At Agency 102, we’ve partnered with Drio, a woman-owned web design and development partner, to create an SEO + AEO package designed for service-based businesses.
Here’s what it means, why it matters, and what you can do today to adapt.
What Is AEO vs SEO?
Answer Engine Optimization is the next evolution of SEO. Instead of optimizing for clicks, we optimize for answers.
- SEO goal: Rank high in Google search results so people click to your site.
- AEO goal: Be the direct answer inside Google snippets, People Also Ask boxes, AI summaries, or local packs, so you’re visible even if no one clicks through.
Put simply:
- SEO helps you get found.
- AEO helps you get chosen.
4 Reasons Why Businesses Can’t Afford to Ignore AEO
1. Search Behavior Has Shifted
By 2027, more than 50% of all queries may resolve inside AI tools. Gen Z and Millennials, who already use AI daily to make decisions, expect fast, conversational answers. If your content isn’t answer-ready, you won’t make their shortlist.
2. Visibility Now Relies on Authority
AI engines don’t just look at keywords but look at trust signals like reviews, media mentions, local listings, and citations. Businesses with strong reputations are far more likely to surface in queries and results.
3. Every Click Is More Valuable
Since fewer people are clicking through, the ones who do are higher-intent. That means the content they find has to build trust instantly, otherwise you lose them.
4. Local Search Is Evolving
AI pulls heavily from Google Business Profiles, Yelp, and online directories. If your listings are outdated or inconsistent, AI may ignore you altogether.
What Our AEO Package Delivers
We built this package with Drio to cover both content and technical execution, because one without isn’t enough to make a lasting impact.
Here’s what you get:
- FAQ Creation & Schema – Turn common client questions into structured content that AI can pull from.
- Location-Specific Landing Pages – Improve visibility for “near me” searches and local AI shortlists.
- Content Refreshing – Update blogs and pages older than 18 months so they stay in AI rotation.
- Review Strategy – Generate fresh, descriptive reviews that boost your reputation.
- Authority Building – PR mentions, thought leadership, and directory consistency.
- Technical Optimization – Drio ensures your site speed, schema, and mobile experience are AI-ready.
It’s not about reinventing your website overnight. It’s about building answer-first content on your highest-value pages, then expanding strategically.
“It’s our job to stay on top of AI trends for our clients and show them what strategies makes sense for their business.” – Hazel Geary, Drio
What This Means for Different Industries
Financial Advisors
When a prospect searches “best financial advisor near me,” Google AI may surface a shortlist with advisor bios, reviews, and local citations. If your profile isn’t complete or if your competitors have stronger reviews, you won’t appear at all. This is especially true for Gen Z and Millennial prospects using AI tools to research advisors and their offerings. 70% of Gen Z report using the technology and 52% of them trust the technology to help them make informed decisions.
Healthcare Providers
Patients searching for “urgent care near me” often get local packs or AI summaries pulling directly from Google Business Profiles. If your hours, services, or reviews are outdated, they’ll go to a competitor.
Fire & EMS Departments
Departments investing in recruitment often show up inconsistently in AI results. Searches like “volunteer firefighter near me” or “fire department recruitment in [city]” may pull outdated or incomplete listings. Without optimized profiles and answer-ready content, you’ll miss potential recruits even if you have funding.
Is AEO Right for You? SEO vs AEO vs Other Strategies
- If your goal is rankings and website clicks = SEO is foundational
- If your goal is visibility in AI tools and zero-click searches = AEO ensures you show up as the chosen answer
- If your goal is brand awareness across multiple channels = Pair SEO/AEO with PR, social media, and paid campaigns
Most businesses will need a blend of strategies, but AEO is quickly becoming the piece they can’t ignore.
How Much Does SEO and AEO Cost?
SEO and AEO pricing varies depending on expertise, scope, and industry competitiveness.
- Freelancers or small firms may start around $1,500-$2,500/month to handle basic keyword targeting or light technical fixes.
- Expert partners offering customized SEO + AEO strategies typically range from $5,000–$8,000/month and up.
Every business is different. The most effective plans take into account your goals, market, and audience while ensuring the nonnegotiable technical basics are in place.
FAQs About AEO
What is AEO vs SEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is about providing direct, structured answers, so AI tools and search engines surface your content even when users don’t click to your site.
SEO is about rankings; AEO is about delivering immediate answers and trust signals. Both matter, but AEO is the evolution businesses can’t ignore—especially as AI and zero-click results reshape how people find information.
A newer study published in 2021 by SparkToro revealed that 62.41% of searches got zero clicks in 2021, up from 54.11% in 2017. Mobile users click even less, with just 17.3% of searches leading to clicks compared to 25.6% on desktop. 80% of users depend on zero-click results at least 40% of the time.
In other words, your prospects are getting answers directly in Google snippets, People Also Ask boxes, and AI summaries long before they ever reach your website. AEO ensures your business is part of those answers, not left out of the conversation.
What is a zero-click search?
It’s when Google or AI engines display the answer directly, through snippets, AI summaries, or local packs, so the user never clicks to a website.
Will I lose traffic if I focus on AEO?
Yes and no. You may get fewer clicks, but the clicks you do get are more qualified. The goal isn’t volume; it’s visibility and trust.
What does successful AEO look like?
Instead of just tracking traffic, we measure featured snippet appearances, AI mentions, referral traffic sources, reviews generated, and conversions.
How long does AEO take to start working?
Most clients start to see improvement in 3–6 months, especially in local packs and FAQ visibility.
Do I need to start over with my website?
Not at all. We usually begin with 5–10 high-traffic pages, optimize them for AEO, and build from there.
Is AEO just another buzzword?
No. The data is clear: organic traffic is declining because AI is answering questions directly. AEO ensures your business is part of the answer.
The Opportunity in AI Search
Unlike Google, AI tools don’t run on paid ads. There’s no “sponsored” spot at the top of ChatGPT or Perplexity answers. That means visibility isn’t a pay-to-play game but is earned through relevance, authority, and credibility.
For businesses, this levels the playing field. A local financial advisor, healthcare practice, or fire department can show up in AI results right alongside national brands if their content and reputation are optimized.
The long-term value?
- Sustainable visibility that isn’t tied to ad spend.
- Higher trust because AI answers carry more authority than traditional ads.
- Compounding returns as your content, reviews, and citations build authority over time.
Paid search has always favored businesses with deep pockets. With AEO, early adopters can own visibility in AI search before competitors even realize they’re missing.
How to Get Started With AEO For Your Business Right Now
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are three quick wins you can tackle today:
- Audit your reviews – Are they recent, descriptive, and steady? If not, create a process for collecting them.
- Update your local listings – Make sure your Google Business Profile, Yelp, and directories are consistent. Information as basic as your name, address, and phone should be consistently formatted across all profiles.
- Identify your top client questions – Build short, clear answers (FAQs, how-tos, or listicles) for your website.
From there, our AEO package takes you the rest of the way, with Drio handling technical execution and our team at Agency 102 leading content and strategy.
“It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to create strategies for our clients around this new type of search (AI). We’re here to help AI platforms understand our clients’ businesses as a whole entity, not just one particular service they offer or one single audience they serve.” – Sally Ricker, Content & Growth Strategist, Agency 102
Your Opportunity To Get Ahead of the Competition: AEO
The way people search has changed forever. AI is now a gatekeeper to visibility, and businesses that don’t adapt will be invisible.
But here’s the good news: the solution isn’t complicated. With the right mix of answer-ready content, authority-building, and technical optimization, you can ensure your business shows up and gets chosen in today’s zero-click world.
That’s exactly what Agency 102 and Drio’s AEO package is built for. Explore the AEO package or book a free discovery call to see where your business stands.
