A New Form of SEO Is Here
The way users search is undergoing a massive transformation. Gone are the days when traditional SEO alone could secure your brand’s online visibility. Welcome to the age of AI-powered search, where Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)and Language Model Optimization (LMO) are becoming essential for brands that want to stay discoverable in a changing digital world.
At Ehany Marketing Agency, we’ve seen firsthand how optimizing for AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews can elevate brand presence — even without ads or new keywords. This blog post brings together the best practices from hands-on experience and industry research to help you optimize your brand for the future of search.
The Rise of AI Search (And the Fall of Traditional SEO)
AI search engines don’t just list links — they generate answers. With 90% of Google searches now integrating AI summaries, and tools like ChatGPT receiving over a billion queries daily, traditional rankings are no longer enough.
Instead, these AI tools:
- Analyze intent, not just keywords.
- Pull from structured data and trusted sources.
- Return direct answers, often without requiring the user to click through.
By 2026, Gartner predicts a 25% decline in traditional search traffic, making it critical to rethink how your content is created and presented.
SEO vs. LMO: What’s the Difference?
Traditional SEO still matters (page speed, backlinks, keyword targeting), but AI search demands something new — Language Model Optimization (LMO).
Key LMO Principles:
- Conversational clarity: Write like you’re answering a real person’s question.
- Structured answers: Use headings, bullets, and schema markup.
- Authoritative content: Cite sources, include stats, and provide expert insights.
- User intent alignment: Think beyond keywords; solve the user’s actual need.
How AI Tools Choose Answers
Here’s how different AI platforms interpret content:
| Platform | Content Preference |
| ChatGPT | Trained on historical data and Bing results. Prefers well-known, high-quality sources. |
| Perplexity | Real-time crawler. Cites live web pages. Will show your URL if your answer is clear. |
| Google AI Overviews (Gemini) | Prioritizes structured, factual, well-organized pages for summaries. |
| Claude (Anthropic) | Looks for ethical, educational, and responsibly crafted content. |
If your site lacks clarity, schema, or accessibility — you won’t appear.
5 Practical AEO & LMO Strategies for 2025
1. Answer Real Customer Questions
Start with real user intent. Use:
- Google’s People Also Ask
- Perplexity follow-up questions
- Reddit, Quora, or support inboxes
Turn each question into:
- A headline (H2 or H3)
- A clear answer in the first 2 lines
- A standalone block of information
✏️ Example:
What’s the best marketing approach for SMEs in Africa?
Answer: A combination of local engagement, data-driven digital campaigns, and trust-building tactics delivers optimal results for African SMEs.
2. Add Schema & Structured Data
Use FAQ or HowTo schema to wrap your content in JSON-LD.
Tools to use:
- Google’s Structured Data Helper
- Rich Results Test
- IndexNow (for Bing & Perplexity)
🛠 Pro Tip: AI tools favor content that’s easily parsed and semantically structured.
3. Push Content Live & Make It Crawlable
Once ready:
- Add the content to your site.
- Update your sitemap.xml.
- Submit to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Make sure robots.txt isn’t blocking key areas.
- Test on a text-only viewer or mobile — if it’s readable, it’s LLM-friendly.
4. Format for AI Readability
AI bots don’t “read” like humans — they scan and extract.
So, format accordingly:
- Use H2s for questions, bold answers immediately below.
- Break long paragraphs into bite-sized chunks.
- Add summaries or TL;DRs at the end of sections.
💡 Test: Paste your article in a plain text editor. If it still makes sense, you’ve nailed it.
5. Track Mentions & Improve Over Time
Visibility isn’t guaranteed — you’ll need to monitor and iterate.
Track:
- Your brand’s appearance on Perplexity and ChatGPT-generated responses.
- Competitor citations via Google AI Overviews.
- Performance using:
If you’re not showing up:
- Shorten your answers
- Add citations
- Refactor sections with clearer formatting
- Resubmit your sitemap
Bonus: Build a Broader AI-Ready Presence
AIs pull data from multiple platforms, not just your website. Expand your visibility by:
✅ Engaging on High-Signal Platforms
- Reddit (used by OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity)
- YouTube (Gemini favors video content)
- Trusted publications (like Reuters, Vox, and Financial Times)
✅ Earning Citations from Authoritative Sources
- Collaborate with industry writers and bloggers.
- Get quoted in niche news outlets.
- Use data and original research in your content.
✅ Managing Reviews and Sentiment
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews.
- Monitor and respond to feedback on Yelp, Google Reviews, Reddit.
Final Word: Don’t Wait to Catch Up
The shift to AI-powered discovery is no longer a prediction — it’s happening now. Brands that move early to optimize for AI search will own the digital conversation.
At Ehany, we help businesses evolve beyond traditional SEO — so they don’t just appear in AI search, they lead it.
Want Help Implementing AEO or LMO for Your Business?
✅ Schedule a consultation with our team
📩 Or comment “AEO” and we’ll send you a checklist & action plan
🌐 Visit us at ehanymarketing.com