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Answer engine optimization (AEO)

Answer engine optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring content so that ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and voice assistants pick it as the canonical answer.

Updated 2026-04-22
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AI search visibility audit

One-click audit: llms.txt, Accept-header, robots.txt, sitemap.md, token savings.

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Generative engine optimization (GEO)

Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the discipline of getting your content cited by ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. It blends classic SEO, structured data, and new formats like llms.txt + Accept-header markdown.

Markdown for agents

AI agents read markdown 2–5× more efficiently than HTML. Serve it via Accept-header negotiation, sitemap.md, and <link rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"> and every agent-originated request instantly becomes cheaper and smarter.

The accept-markdown header

Accept: text/markdown is an HTTP content-negotiation header that signals an AI agent prefers clean markdown over HTML. Implementing it correctly means a Content-Type match, a Vary: Accept header, honoring q-values, and 406 on unsatisfiable requests.

© 2026 Harlan Wilton · MIT