SEO, AEO, SXO and GEO explained: how customers find your business today

9 hours ago

3 min read

Quick answer: SEO helps your website get found in search engines; AEO makes your business the direct answer to a question; SXO takes care of the experience after the click; and GEO increases the chance that AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Gemini mention your brand. Together, they are the foundation for being found today.

Illustration of a magnifying glass and data representing SEO, AEO, SXO and GEO

Your customers no longer search only on Google

Before hiring a service, people search on Google, look at the map, ask an AI assistant and check the company's Instagram. If your brand shows up in only one of those places, you are competing for just part of the attention. That is why SEO, AEO, SXO and GEO have moved from technical jargon to a management topic: they decide whether the customer reaches you or your competitor.

SEO: get found in search engines

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the set of practices that helps Google and Bing understand and rank your pages. It covers the keywords your customers actually type, clear titles, site speed, pages organized by topic and quality links. It is the base for every other acronym.

AEO: be the answer, not just a link

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is optimization for direct answers. Voice assistants, featured snippets and AI-generated answers prefer objective content. In practice: use question-style headings, answer in a few lines right below, organize information in lists and keep a frequently asked questions section.

SXO: the experience after the click

SXO (Search Experience Optimization) combines SEO and user experience. Ranking well means little if the page loads slowly, confuses the visitor or does not make the next step clear. Review speed, mobile layout, the clarity of your contact button and your conversion rate.

GEO: get cited by generative AI

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) works so that AI models recognize your company as a reliable source. That requires consistent information across every channel (website, Google Business Profile, LinkedIn and social media), content with clear authorship and expertise, and a structure that machines can read easily. For local businesses, a complete and up-to-date Google Business Profile also strengthens visibility in location-based searches.

Where to start: 5 practical actions

List the 10 questions customers ask most before buying and answer each one on a page or section of your site.
Write direct answers of 2 to 4 lines right below question-style headings.
Review speed, mobile layout and the clarity of your main contact button (SXO).
Standardize your business name, address, phone and description on your site, Google Business Profile and social networks (GEO).
Measure every month: organic visits, leads generated and the questions that led to contact.

Frequently asked questions

Does SEO still matter with AI in search?

Yes. AI systems use well-structured, trustworthy pages as sources. Without solid SEO, your business is unlikely to be cited.

Are AEO and GEO the same thing?

No. AEO focuses on answering direct questions in search engines and assistants; GEO focuses on being cited inside AI-generated answers. The techniques complement each other.

Do I need to do everything at once?

No. Start with a diagnostic to find your biggest bottlenecks and prioritize what most affects customer acquisition.

Next step

METADAX® integrates strategy, technology and content to make your business easy to find in search engines, on maps and in AI. Request a free initial diagnostic and talk to a senior specialist: we reply within 1 business day. Questions about timelines and how we work? See the METADAX FAQ.