Generative and answer engines are redefining how websites get discovered. To stay visible in AI-driven search results, your site needs to be readable, structured, and trustworthy — not just optimized for keywords. This guide shows how to prepare your website for AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) — the next evolution of SEO.

What Is AEO / GEO and Why It Matters

Traditional SEO focuses on ranking for keywords. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) go further — helping your site appear in AI-generated answers, summaries, and conversational search results.

AI search systems like Google’s Search Generative Experience, ChatGPT Search, and Bing Copilot now:

• Read your content to extract key facts.
• Summarize them into natural-language answers.
• Attribute trusted sources directly within the result.

Your goal is to make sure your site is structured, credible, and clear enough for AI to confidently quote it.

How to Structure Content for AI Understanding

Every page should be built for clarity and scannability. That’s what both users and AI models understand best.

1. Start with a direct summary — 2–3 sentences answering the main query.
2. Use natural questions as headings (“What is…?”, “How does…?”).
3. Include bullet points and numbered lists for structure.
4. Explain context — why it matters, not just what it is.

For Blog Articles

• Blog posts are content-heavy and usually target informational or educational intent — exactly what AI engines prefer to summarize and quote.
• Using question-style headings, short paragraphs, and structured answers helps AI systems understand the flow of ideas and extract concise information for featured snippets or AI-generated responses.
• Including FAQ-style subheadings (like “What is X?” or “How does Y work?”) makes it much easier for AI to map your article semantically to specific search queries.

So in blogs, you’d follow all four steps exactly as written.

For Static Pages (Service, About, Home, etc.)

The same principles apply — just used more selectively and visually integrated into design.

• Direct summary → becomes your hero or intro paragraph that clearly explains what the page is about in plain language.

Example:“We design and develop custom Webflow websites that help brands communicate clearly, move faster, and scale easily.”

• Natural questions as headings → can be integrated into sections or accordions.

Example: “What’s included in our Webflow development process?” “How does our ongoing support work?”

• Bullet points and numbered lists → perfect for explaining features, benefits, or process steps.

Example: Our process: 1. Discovery → 2. Design → 3. Build → 4. Support.

• Explain context → add short, human sentences under headlines to clarify why something matters.

Example: “A fast, well-structured site isn’t just good for SEO — it’s what helps users stay, explore, and convert.”

Even if static pages are more design-driven, applying this structural thinking — both in copy and behind-the-scenes markup — makes them far more machine-readable, directly supporting your AEO/GEO performance.

Which Schema Markup Should You Use Sitewide?

Schema markup (structured data) tells AI systems exactly what your content represents.

Core schemas to implement:

• Organization: your brand identity (name, founding date, logo, social links, contact info).
• WebSite: your main domain and search function.
• Article / BlogPosting: for editorial or insight-based content.
• FAQPage: for question-based sections.
• HowTo: for tutorials or step-by-step pages.
• BreadcrumbList: for site hierarchy.
• Service / Product: for offer or pricing pages.
  ‍

Example Schema.org for this article:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "BlogPosting",
  "mainEntityOfPage": {
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "@id": "https://www.thecompote.com/blog/optimize-website-for-ai-search-aeo-geo"
  },
  "headline": "How to Optimize Your Website for AI Search (AEO & GEO Guide)",
  "description": "Learn how to make your website AI-friendly through Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). A clear, practical guide to structure, schema, and trust signals that help your content appear in AI search results.",
  "image": "https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/674d7bdcdb8441346aef7a0a/6877abfd36ebc9633be73704_ai-search-optimization-guide.png",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Alžběta Pevná",
    "description": "Alžběta Pevná is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of The Compote, a web design studio and official Webflow Partner based in Prague. She focuses on Webflow development, project strategy, and operations — ensuring every project runs smoothly through clear processes and collaborative communication.",
    "url": "https://www.thecompote.com/about",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecompote",
      "https://www.instagram.com/thecompote.studio/"
    ]
  },
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "The Compote",
    "logo": {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/674d7bdcdb8441346aef7a0a/6877a42dad9121004db967da_the-compote-logo.png"
    }
  },
  "datePublished": "2025-10-09",
  "dateModified": "2025-10-09",
  "keywords": "AI Search, AEO, GEO, Answer Engine Optimization, Generative Engine Optimization, SEO for AI, Structured Data, Webflow SEO, Digital Strategy, The Compote",
  "timeRequired": "PT10M",
  "articleSection": "Digital Strategy"
}

Tip: Validate schema using Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure proper parsing.

How to Build an AI-Friendly Site Architecture

AI engines understand your site better when it’s logically structured and interconnected.

Best practices:

• Use a flat, intuitive hierarchy (e.g., /services/web-design, /resources/webflow-guides).
• Link internally with descriptive anchor text (“learn more about Webflow SEO” instead of “click here”).
• Create topic clusters — one main page supported by related content.
• Use consistent naming in URLs and meta titles.

This helps AI form a knowledge map of your site’s expertise areas.

Strengthening E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)

AI engines prefer credible, human-backed content — not anonymous text.

To strengthen your E-E-A-T:

• Add author bios with background and expertise.
• Publish case studies that show real-world experience.
• Link to trusted external sources for supporting facts.
• Display client testimonials or reviews where relevant.
• Keep contact info and copyright details visible.

Also include Organization schema with sameAs links to verified profiles (LinkedIn, Instagram, Webflow Showcase) to reinforce your brand’s legitimacy.

Why UX and Technical Quality Influence AI Visibility

AI search prioritizes websites that offer a positive user experience — because user trust and engagement are direct relevance signals.

Focus on:

• Fast load speed and clean Core Web Vitals.
• Mobile responsiveness across all breakpoints.
• Stable visuals (avoid layout shifts).
• Simple, intuitive navigation.
• HTTPS security and visible privacy policies.
• Avoid intrusive popups or autoplay elements.

If users enjoy your website, AI engines will too.

How to Optimize for Featured Snippets and AI Summaries

AI systems love concise, structured answers.

To increase visibility:

• Place a 40–60 word summary below each key question.
• Use lists, tables, or key takeaways for clarity.
• Highlight important terms or numbers.
• Structure long pages with clear H2 and H3 headings.

Adding Conversational UX (for AI and Humans)

Conversational content makes your site more approachable — and easier for AI to parse.

Try adding:

• Mini Q&A blocks within long-form content.
• A “Summarize this page” feature.
• Expandable FAQs marked with FAQPage schema.
• A friendly, natural tone throughout your copy.

AI learns from conversational patterns. Writing in plain, human language makes your content more “quotable.”

Content Formats That Perform Best in AI Search

The most AI-friendly content types share one trait — they answer a clear intent.

High-performing formats:

1. Definition pages: “What is UX design?”
2. Comparisons: “Webflow vs WordPress.”
3. How-to guides: “How to launch your website.”
4. Checklists: “Website launch checklist.”
5. Glossaries: short, structured definitions.
6. Answer hubs: focused Q&A-style pages (120–180 words each).

These formats create modular content AI engines can easily pull from.

Keeping Content Fresh and Relevant

AI engines reward current and updated information.

Refresh your site regularly:

• Update dates, tools, and stats every 6–12 months.
• Replace outdated screenshots or UI examples.
• Add new case studies and examples.
• Note “Last updated” dates to signal freshness.

Even small updates show that your website is maintained and trustworthy.

New Pages & Components to Add (High GEO Impact)

Creating specific, structured sections can greatly improve how AI systems interpret and connect your website’s content.

These components build context depth and strengthen your site’s knowledge graph.

1. /answers hub

A lightweight Q&A library, where each entry covers one focused question in 120–180 words, followed by:

• 3 concise bullet points
• 1 cited source
• Internal links to related pages

Mark each with FAQPage or Article schema. Over time, this forms a mini knowledge base AI engines can reliably reference.

2. Glossary

A browsable glossary that defines audience-relevant or industry terms.

Use DefinedTermSet schema for each entry and link them contextually across your content.

It helps AI understand and connect semantic relationships within your site.

3. “Sources & Evidence” Component

A reusable block placed at the bottom of pages or articles, listing 3–6 credible external citations with year and link.

This improves trust, consistency, and transparency — qualities AI systems value when selecting sources.

4. Add an llm.txt File

Some emerging AI search engines and large language models use a special text file called llm.txt (similar to robots.txt) to understand a site’s preferred context, authorship, and key pages.

It’s not a formal standard yet, but adding one can help guide AI crawlers toward your most authoritative and up-to-date content.

What to include:

• A short description of your business and expertise.
• Links to key pages (home, about, services, blog, case studies).
• A link to your sitemap and privacy policy.
• Author information or content guidelines if relevant.

# LLM Discovery File for The Compote
about: https://thecompote.com/about
services: https://thecompote.com/services
blog: https://thecompote.com/blog
contact: https://thecompote.com/contact

Key Takeaways

Optimizing your website for AEO and GEO isn’t about chasing algorithms — it’s about clarity, structure, and trust.
When your site is easy for both people and machines to understand, you naturally improve your visibility in AI-driven search.

In short:

• Structure every page with a clear purpose and summary.
• Use schema to describe your content and brand.
• Maintain transparency through author info and external references.
• Keep your site fast, accessible, and up to date.
• Think of AEO/GEO as building a knowledge framework around your brand — not just a collection of pages.

Quick Answers

What’s the difference between AEO and GEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) helps your content appear in AI-generated answers and featured snippets.

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is broader — optimizing your entire website so AI systems can understand and represent your brand in generative results.

Do I need both schema and llm.txt?
Yes — schema provides structured data for search engines, while llm.txt (optional but emerging) helps large language models identify your most relevant and trustworthy content.

How often should I update my content for AI visibility?
Review your key pages every 6–12 months. Update stats, visuals, and examples — even small refreshes help maintain authority and relevance.