Can you tell the difference between LLMO and AEO? (Hint: There isn’t any). The relatively new world of AI SEO terminology is filled with acronyms, abbreviations and buzzwords that can easily confuse.
But why is it important? Because today’s businesses fighting for visibility must embrace AI SEO to futureproof, engage and convert in an ultra-competitive search environment. Artificial intelligence is no longer just influencing SEO; it is redefining it.
AI-driven algorithms are shaping a new digital landscape where traditional optimisation tactics alone are no longer enough.
Given that AI search traffic could surpass traditional search traffic by 2028, it’s important for organisations to understand the latest AI SEO terminology.
Key AI SEO Terms Explained
Search engines are powered by advanced machine learning models capable of understanding context, intent and user behaviour at a deeper level than ever before.
And with the increasing adoption of answer engines like Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude, organisations need to rethink how they analyse success in search.
Below is a practical guide to some of the most widely used AI SEO terms, compiled by MRS Digital, a digital marketing agency, explained in clear and simple language.
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GEO, AI SEO, AEO and LLMO
Most of the confusion around AI SEO terminology comes from these terms. There are four widely used industry buzzwords that primarily mean the same thing: optimising for answer engines, generative engines and large language models.
While the naming may seem complex, GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation), AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation), and LLMO (Large Language Model Optimisation) are merely different acronyms for the same process.
This technique ultimately aims to ensure brand information can be easily extracted and used by AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity.
AI SEO also falls into this category as it points to the fusion between traditional SEO techniques with more specific measurement and focus areas for answer engines. AI + Search Engine Optimisation.
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Mentions and Citations
Mentions and citations are highly regarded as the new rankings. In AI SEO, a mention is when a brand or source is mentioned in the body copy of an AI answer. This is not necessarily linking to the brand’s website.
A citation is when a domain is cited as a source in an AI chat. This could be an inline citation, but it could also be a background source.
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Agentic SEO
Agentic SEO describes an advanced approach that uses AI agents to plan, create and perform SEO tasks in a workflow.
For example, instead of an SEO specialist performing manual keyword research and creating strategies, the agent decides what to do next – it continuously adapts to search trends and user behaviour, making SEO more dynamic, efficient, and responsive.
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AIO Optimisation (AI Overview Optimisation)
AI Overviews are a Google-specific SERP feature designed to give users clear, AI-generated answers to common search queries.
Unlike features such as ‘People Also Ask’, they typically appear at the very top of Google results, delivering instant responses to informational searches.
They work by pulling information from multiple web sources and combining it into a concise summary, complete with links to the original content.
Optimising for these features involves structuring content clearly, providing concise explanations, and ensuring factual accuracy so information can be easily extracted and summarised, in line with established guidance on helpful, people-first content.
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Search Intent Modelling
Search intent modelling uses AI to predict and categorise user intent behind queries. Instead of focusing solely on keywords, this approach ensures content aligns with what users actually want, improving relevance and rankings.
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LLM (Large Language Model)
An LLM (Large Language Model) is an artificial intelligence system that predicts the next word based on previous context and patterns it learned from training data.
Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini use LLMs to generate answers and summaries, so making information easy to reuse is a top priority.
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Entity-Based SEO
Entity-based SEO focuses on optimising content around recognised entities such as people, places or concepts, rather than just keywords.
AI-driven search engines use entities to understand context, making this approach essential for improving visibility and semantic relevance.
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Predictive SEO
Predictive SEO uses AI to forecast trends, search behaviour and keyword opportunities before they peak. By acting on these insights early, businesses can create content that ranks ahead of competitors.
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Zero-Click Optimisation
Zero-click optimisation focuses on structuring content in an optimal way to appear in AI-generated answers, where users get information without clicking through. This enhances brand visibility even when traffic doesn’t directly increase.
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Share of Voice (SOV)
Share of voice is a metric that shows how visible a brand is compared to its competitors. It measures the share of total brand mentions that belong to a specific brand across AI-generated conversations over a period of time.
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Fan-out Queries
Fan-out queries occur when an AI system breaks down a user prompt into several related, shorter search terms that are used for retrieval and grounding.
To increase citation likelihood, content should address both the core topic plus associated sub-questions AI systems may derive from user prompts.
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Sentiment
Sentiment is the emotional tone behind content, whether it’s positive, negative, or neutral. Sentiment is a common metric used in AI SEO to understand how a brand is described in AI chats on different topics compared to the competition.
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Multimodal Search
Search has evolved beyond simple text searches. People now take photos to search or supplement a text query with images.
As a result, it’s no longer enough to rely solely on written content, and brands need to incorporate optimised visuals, video and voice-friendly formats into their marketing strategy to stay competitive.
Why AI SEO Matters
Having a firm grasp on AI SEO terminology ensures businesses and organisations have the knowledge to begin navigating the complexities of modern search and unlock new growth opportunities.
Jade Powter, AI SEO Lead at MRS Digital, said: “AI SEO terminology is evolving all the time.
“Whether it’s called GEO, AEO or AI SEO again next week – only time will tell what sticks. The key terminology that is ultimately important to pay attention to here is the new means of measurement.
“Share of voice, sentiment and mentions are metrics and terminology you should become closely familiar with. This is because referral traffic and conversion numbers don’t tell the full picture when it comes to AI search – people are engaging with content in new ways.”
