Why does AI search visibility matter for B2B businesses?

B2B buyers increasingly use AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to generate vendor shortlists before making contact. If your business is not cited by these AI engines, you are invisible at the most critical point in their decision-making process.

What is the difference between SEO, AEO, and GEO?

SEO focuses on ranking in traditional search results. AEO focuses on being cited in AI-generated answers on platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. GEO is a related discipline focused on appearing in generative AI outputs.

What is an llms.txt file and does my website need one?

An llms.txt file is a plain-text file placed at the root of your domain that tells AI language model crawlers what content to index and trust. It is the AI equivalent of robots.txt and signals to AI systems exactly who you are, what you do, and what content they should reference.

What platforms does Sticky Frog optimise for?

Sticky Frog optimises AI search visibility across five platforms: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, YouTube, and Reddit. Each platform has distinct ranking signals and content requirements.

How long does it take to see results from AEO?

Technical fixes like schema markup and llms.txt can begin to show results within 4 to 8 weeks. Content-driven citation typically builds over 3 to 6 months. Platform presence on Reddit and YouTube can generate visibility within weeks if the content is structured correctly.

AI Search Glossary: Key AEO Terms Explained

This glossary defines the core terms used in Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and AI search visibility. Each definition is written to be clear, accurate, and citable — useful for founders, marketing leaders, and anyone navigating the shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven search.

What is AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation)?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is the practice of structuring your website content, entity data, and online presence so that AI search engines — including ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews — cite your business in their generated answers. Unlike traditional SEO, which targets click-through traffic from ranked results, AEO targets citation: being the source an AI engine recommends when a user asks a relevant question.

What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation)?

GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) is the discipline of optimising content so it appears within the outputs of generative AI tools and large language models. GEO overlaps with AEO but focuses specifically on the mechanics of how AI models select, synthesise, and surface content in generated text. While AEO focuses on citation and brand mention in AI answers, GEO focuses on the influence your content has over the shape and substance of AI-generated responses.

What is an llms.txt File?

An llms.txt file is a plain-text file placed at the root of a domain that tells AI language model crawlers and indexing systems what content on your site to read, trust, and cite. It is the AI equivalent of robots.txt. Including an llms.txt file is a low-effort, high-impact technical step that signals to AI systems exactly who you are, what you do, and which pages they should reference. The majority of business websites do not yet have one, making it a meaningful competitive advantage in AI search.

What is Entity Optimisation?

Entity Optimisation is the process of ensuring that your business, founder, and services are consistently represented as distinct, well-defined entities across the web — including your website, LinkedIn, third-party directories, schema markup, and knowledge graph sources. AI search engines use entity data to determine whether a brand is real, credible, and authoritative. Inconsistent or incomplete entity data reduces the likelihood of AI citation, regardless of content quality.

What is AI Shortlisting?

AI shortlisting is the behaviour in which B2B buyers use AI tools — such as ChatGPT or Perplexity — to generate a list of potential vendors or service providers before making initial contact. Rather than searching Google and browsing websites, the buyer asks an AI assistant “who are the best providers of X?” and receives a curated list. Businesses that are not cited by AI engines are invisible to buyers at this stage of the decision-making process, making AI search visibility a strategic B2B priority.

What is the AEO Score?

The AEO Score is Sticky Frog’s proprietary framework for assessing a business’s AI search visibility readiness. It scores across five categories: Authority Signals, Entity Optimisation, Content Formatting, Technical Foundation, and Platform Presence. Each category is scored out of 12, giving a maximum total of 60. The AEO Score provides a structured baseline from which to prioritise AI search improvements. A free assessment is available at stickyfrog.io.

About This Glossary

Maintained by Jason Morris, founder of Sticky Frog. Definitions are updated as the AI search landscape evolves. For a full assessment of your AI search readiness, take the free AEO Score at stickyfrog.io.