02 Jan GEO vs AEO & SEO: What’s changing in 2026
Search behaviour has changed dramatically in recent years. People still use Google, but they are also asking questions through AI tools and expecting instant answers. Because of this shift, generative engine optimisation is becoming more important for how content gets discovered and shared. At the same time, answer-style results such as featured snippets and AI summaries are appearing more often.
At Viewpoint Digital Media, we are seeing these changes shape digital marketing in Geelong and beyond.
In this blog, we explain what generative engine optimisation means, how it differs from answer engine optimisation and traditional SEO, and why all three now work together. The goal is simple: create content that is clear, helpful, and easy to understand.
What generative engine optimisation means
Generative engine optimisation focuses on how AI tools create answers. For example, tools like ChatGPT do not show a list of links. Instead, they generate a full response to a question.
GEO helps your content become part of that response. The goal is not just to gain clicks. It is to build trust, share accurate information, and be visible wherever people search.
AI tools look for content that is easy to read and explains ideas clearly. They also prefer reliable sources and well-structured information. For this reason, your content should stay focused on the topic and be broken into clear sections. When your writing is organised and direct, AI tools can understand it faster.
Over time, this can strengthen your visibility. Even if a user does not click through to your website, your content may still help shape the answer they receive.
How does answer engine optimisation fit in?
Generative engine optimisation happens inside AI tools, while answer engine optimisation focuses on how content appears in search results. This includes featured snippets, “People Also Ask” sections, and AI summaries that appear at the top of the page.
Search engines are now designed to answer questions straight away. The goal is to give users what they need quickly, without making them scroll through multiple links.
Answer engine optimisation helps your content appear in these high-visibility spaces. To support this, each section of your content should answer one clear question. Simple language works best, especially when it mirrors how people search.
AEO also supports early awareness, because it helps users see your content before they even click through to a website.
Why SEO still matters
With GEO and AEO gaining momentum, it is fair to ask whether SEO still matters. The answer is yes.
SEO supports both answer engine optimisation and generative engine optimisation. It helps search engines find your content, understand it, and trust it. Fast loading pages, clear headings, and a well-structured website still make a difference.
Without strong SEO foundations, AI tools and search engines may struggle to crawl your site, interpret your pages, and surface your content. SEO remains the base layer, and GEO builds on top of it.
In short, SEO has not disappeared. It has evolved to work alongside newer approaches.
Why does this matter for digital marketing in Geelong?
Search no longer happens in one place. People are now searching through Google, apps, and AI tools. Because of this shift, digital marketing in Geelong needs a wider strategy to stay visible.
Generative engine optimisation helps AI tools understand and explain your services. Answer engine optimisation supports visibility in featured results and AI summaries. SEO strengthens the foundations underneath both.
At Viewpoint Digital Media, we build content with this full picture in mind. The focus stays on clear answers and strong structure so your content can perform across multiple platforms.
Bringing it all together
GEO is not replacing SEO, and AEO is not replacing content. These strategies work best when they support each other.
When content is clear, accurate, and easy to read, it performs better. It becomes easier for users to understand, and easier for search engines and AI tools to surface.
Viewpoint Digital Media supports businesses through this change with one goal in mind: helping people find clear answers wherever they search. If you want to learn how GEO, AEO, and SEO can work together for your content, reach out to our team today.