What is SEO vs AEO vs GEO: Key Difference

Let’s be honest, is having a website enough? In today's competitive digital market, if your business is not showing up on search result pages, then your business is invisible to customers. I bet you don’t want this.

Whether you run a counselling practice in Melbourne, a trading business in Brisbane, a beauty salon in Perth, or anywhere in Australia. Your online platforms need more than just pretty or attractive homepages. What it needs to improve is the right strategy.

That’s where SEO, GEO, and AEO come in — three powerful approaches that every business should be using in 2025.

Let’s break it down.

SEO: The Backbone of Digital Visibility

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the foundation of any strong online strategy. It's about making your website easy to find on Google and other search engines.

But SEO has evolved. It’s no longer just about cramming keywords or getting backlinks. It’s about understanding what your customers are searching for and creating content that matches their intent.

What Modern SEO Looks Like

Long-Tail Keywords

• Instead of targeting broad terms like “plumber”, go for specific ones like:
• “Emergency plumber in Parramatta 24/7”
• “Best vegan hair salon Brisbane”
• These are easier to rank for and bring in customers who are ready to buy.

Content that Solves Problems

• Think blog posts, service pages, FAQs, and even guides.
• Example: A blog titled “5 Signs Your Roof Needs Replacing Before Winter” not only helps users but positions you as a trusted expert.

Mobile-First Design

• Over 70% of searches in Australia are now done on mobile devices.
• Your site needs to be fast, responsive, and easy to navigate on phones.

• Clear menus, readable fonts, and simple contact options boost SEO performance.
• Google tracks how users interact with your site — if people bounce quickly, your rankings drop.

Technical SEO

• Includes site speed, sitemap structure, security (HTTPS), and clean code.
• It’s the “under the hood” stuff that keeps search engines happy.

GEO: Optimising for AI-Driven Search

The way people search is changing. In 2025, AI-powered search engines (like Google's Search Generative Experience) are doing more than listing websites — they’re summarising content directly in the results.

That’s where Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) comes in. GEO helps your content get picked up and used in these AI-generated summaries.

GEO Best Practices

Write in Natural Language

• AI tools are trained on human-like text.
• Write like you’re speaking to a real person — avoid robotic jargon.

Answer Questions Directly

• Use FAQ sections and headings like:
• “What are the benefits of solar panels in Sydney?”
• “How long does professional carpet cleaning take?”
• These make it easier for AI to extract direct answers.

Structured Formatting

• Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and subheadings.
• Helps AI understand the structure and pull relevant bits.

Topic Authority

• Cover your niche thoroughly.
• Example: If you’re a beauty clinic, don’t just have a “services” page. Create pages on:
• Skin needling
• Laser hair removal
• Anti-wrinkle injections
• Aftercare tips

Include Real Data

• Adding stats, comparisons, or even quotes can help your content stand out as “reliable” to AI tools.

AEO: Answering Voice Search & Smart Devices

More people are now using voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant to search for businesses and services. If your content isn’t optimised to be found by these tools, you're missing out on a growing market.

Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) ensures your business shows up when people ask questions aloud.

How to Optimise for AEO

Write for Spoken Language

• Voice search is more conversational.
• Use phrases like:
• “Where can I find a hairdresser open late near me?”
• “Who offers affordable landscaping in Canberra?”

Optimise for Local Intent

• Include suburb and city names in your headings and content.
• Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent everywhere online.

Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)

• This is a code that helps search engines understand your business info.
• It highlights:
• Your business hours
• Services
• Reviews
• Location and contact details

Create Q&A Content

• Think about what your ideal customer might ask.
• Answer those questions clearly in your blogs and service pages.

Claim & Optimise Your Google Business Profile

• Complete every section
• Add updated photos
• Encourage happy clients to leave reviews.

Local SEO: Don't Forget the Home Crowd

Let’s not forget where most of your customers come from — your local area. Ranking well in your region is more valuable than global traffic that never converts.

How to Nail Local SEO in 2025

• Create location-specific pages: If you serve multiple suburbs or cities, give each one a dedicated landing page.
• Encourage reviews:90% of people read reviews before buying. Google prioritises businesses with good reviews.
• Embed Google Maps:Make it easy for people (and search engines) to see where you are.
• Local backlinks:Get listed in local directories and partner with nearby businesses.

Content That Works Across All Engines

The smartest strategy in 2025? Create one piece of content that works across SEO, GEO, and AEO.

Let’s say you’re a mortgage broker in Sydney.

You might write a blog post titled:

“How First-Time Buyers Can Get Approved for a Home Loan in Sydney (2025 Guide)” Within that article, you would:

• Use long-tail keywords (SEO)
• Answer direct questions (AEO)
• Structure with bullet points and summaries (GEO)
• Mention Sydney suburbs and current interest rates (Local SEO) Boom — you’ve just covered every base.

SEO vs AEO vs GEO: Key Differences

Let’s break down the key differences in a comparative table:

Why You Need to Understand All Three

As search engines evolve, user behavior is changing too. Here’s why you should care about all three types of optimization:

SEO is the Foundation

Traditional search is still very much alive. If your content doesn’t rank, it won’t get seen. SEO remains crucial for all websites.

AEO Helps You Win the “Zero-Click” Race

More users are satisfied with answers shown directly on the results page. Without AEO, your content might never get the click, even if it's accurate.

GEO is the Future of Discoverability

As AI assistants become a primary way people access information, businesses need to adapt their content to fit the AI-driven discovery process.

How to Optimize for SEO, AEO, and GEO Together

A modern content strategy should incorporate all three layers:

Unified Tips:

• Use structured data (schema.org)for machine-readable context.
• Answer user queries clearly and concisely—then expand with depth.
• Build topical authoritywith clusters of related, high-quality content.
• Get cited by trusted sourcesto increase credibility in generative responses.
• Focus on user intent,not just keywords.

Conclusion: The Future of Search is Hybrid

The lines between search engines and AI assistants are blurring fast. In this dynamic landscape, SEO, AEO, and GEO are not mutually exclusive—they are complementary. By embracing all three, brands can remain competitive in organic search, voice search, and AI-driven results.

If you want your content to thrive in 2025 and beyond, think beyond just keywords. Think answers, think AI, and think authentic authority.

Need Help Putting It All Together?

At Eirmon Solutions, we help businesses unlock their full online potential with tailored digital strategies. We've got your back from keyword research and content writing to local SEO and AI-ready optimisation.

Book your FREE digital audit today and find out exactly where your business stands — and how far it can go.

Let’s make your business unmissable online.