Knowing the difference is non-negotiable: If you are in the digital marketing space, this is something you can't avoid. The biggest and best agencies already know the difference. They've optimised for all three types of search. And they are able to not only sell SEO, but AEO and GEO too. (This Friday, June 12th, I'm hosting a free live masterclass: "How To Scale An AEO Agency In 2026" It will teach you how to do the exact same at your agency:https://lnkd.in/easeMTaX) But you don't need to be Ogilvy to be seen. You just need to accept that your clients are no longer crawling through blue links. They're asking ChatGPT and taking Google's AI Overviews at face value. The agencies that can sell all three are the ones winning retainers in 2026. Here's a quick breakdown of each layer 👇 (Check the full sheet for in-depth details) 1️⃣ SEO - Search Engine Optimisation ↳ What it is: Ranking your firm's pages on Google. ↳ How it works: Identify high-intent keywords, optimise on-page content, etc. ↳ Pros: Proven, steady traffic driver. ↳ Cons: Slow to show results. ↳ How to rank higher: Focus on high-intent keyword clusters specific to your service. 2️⃣ AEO - Answer Engine Optimisation ↳ What it is: Getting your expertise pulled into Google's AI responses. ↳ How it works: Provide direct answers to the questions clients are asking. ↳ Pros: Instant authority and brand visibility. ↳ Cons: Some users get the answer without clicking through. ↳ How to rank higher: Answer questions in 40 to 60 words under clear headings. 3️⃣ GEO - Generative Engine Optimisation ↳ What it is: Getting your firm cited by name in AI recommendations. ↳ How it works: Publish well-structured thought leadership with citations and data. ↳ Pros: Early-mover advantage in AI search. ↳ Cons: Hard to measure direct impact. ↳ How to rank higher: Create entity-rich content following E-E-A-T principles. Search has changed more in the last year than the last decade. And most agencies still can't explain the difference between these three. The agencies that can sell SEO, AEO and GEO as one package will own the next decade of search retainers. If you run an agency and want the exact playbook to productise and sell all three, Join me on Friday on the live masterclass:https://lnkd.in/easeMTaX You'll leave with a clear action plan and roadmap. Which of the three are you weakest on right now? Drop it in the comments below. And be sure to save this to refer back to it later ! ♻️ Repost to help other agency owners get ahead of AI search. And follow meChris Donnellyfor more on SEO, AEO and GEO.
Knowing the difference is non-negotiable:
If you are in the digital marketing space, this is something you can't avoid.
The biggest and best agencies already know the difference.
They've optimised for all three types of search.
And they are able to not only sell SEO, but AEO and GEO too.
(This Friday, June 12th, I'm hosting a free live masterclass:
"How To Scale An AEO Agency In 2026"
It will teach you how to do the exact same at your agency: https://lnkd.in/easeMTaX)
But you don't need to be Ogilvy to be seen.
You just need to accept that your clients are no longer crawling through blue links.
They're asking ChatGPT and taking Google's AI Overviews at face value.
The agencies that can sell all three are the ones winning retainers in 2026.
Here's a quick breakdown of each layer 👇
(Check the full sheet for in-depth details)
1️⃣ SEO - Search Engine Optimisation
↳ What it is: Ranking your firm's pages on Google.
↳ How it works: Identify high-intent keywords, optimise on-page content, etc.
↳ Pros: Proven, steady traffic driver.
↳ Cons: Slow to show results.
↳ How to rank higher: Focus on high-intent keyword clusters specific to your service.
2️⃣ AEO - Answer Engine Optimisation
↳ What it is: Getting your expertise pulled into Google's AI responses.
↳ How it works: Provide direct answers to the questions clients are asking.
↳ Pros: Instant authority and brand visibility.
↳ Cons: Some users get the answer without clicking through.
↳ How to rank higher: Answer questions in 40 to 60 words under clear headings.
3️⃣ GEO - Generative Engine Optimisation
↳ What it is: Getting your firm cited by name in AI recommendations.
↳ How it works: Publish well-structured thought leadership with citations and data.
↳ Pros: Early-mover advantage in AI search.
↳ Cons: Hard to measure direct impact.
↳ How to rank higher: Create entity-rich content following E-E-A-T principles.
Search has changed more in the last year than the last decade.
And most agencies still can't explain the difference between these three.
The agencies that can sell SEO, AEO and GEO as one package will own the next decade of search retainers.
If you run an agency and want the exact playbook to productise and sell all three,
Join me on Friday on the live masterclass: https://lnkd.in/easeMTaX
You'll leave with a clear action plan and roadmap.
Which of the three are you weakest on right now?
Drop it in the comments below.
And be sure to save this to refer back to it later !
♻️ Repost to help other agency owners get ahead of AI search.
And follow me Chris Donnelly for more on SEO, AEO and GEO.