The way people find information has shifted. We’ve moved beyond typing a word into a box and scrolling through blue links. If you’re feeling invisible right now, you might even be wondering why your website isn’t on Google at all.
By now, you’ve likely heard terms like AEO and GEO. Most of the advice out there is filled with jargon that makes it seem like you need a computer science degree just to sell your coaching programme or photography packages.
The reality is straightforward: Search in 2026 rewards helpful, human and reliable sources. You can claim your spot without the technical overwhelm.
How SEO, AEO and GEO work together
To understand how these concepts connect, let’s step away from the internet for a moment. Imagine you own a boutique in a busy city, selling handmade silk scarves.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is your shopfront and your sign. It ensures that when someone is walking down the street looking for “silk scarves,” they can see your sign from a distance. They know exactly what’s inside. They decide to walk through your door because your window display looks professional and relevant.
- AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) is like the helpful concierge at the luxury hotel across the street. A guest asks them, “Where is the best place nearby to buy a sustainable silk scarf?” The concierge gives them one or two specific recommendations. They might even tell the guest exactly what time you open.
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) is the local reputation and the buzz surrounding your shop. It’s the city guidebooks, the fashion influencers and the locals all chatting about your brand. When a tourist asks their AI travel assistant to “plan a shopping afternoon for someone who loves sustainable fashion,” the AI recommends your boutique because you’re mentioned everywhere as the authority on the subject.
In 2026, you need all three. You need the sign (SEO), the recommendation (AEO) and the reputation (GEO).
Your guide to integrated search
Your business should be findable no matter how your client is looking for you. Whether they use a search bar or an AI tool, you want your systems to do the heavy lifting.
Here is a simple summary of the core strategies we’re using today:
- SEO: Focuses on ranking in traditional search results by building a website with strategic keyword mapping and a professional user experience.
- AEO: Focuses on providing direct and concise answers for voice search and featured snippets to be the definitive solution to a specific question.
- GEO: Optimises your content to be trusted and cited by AI systems so you appear in conversational summaries people see in tools like ChatGPT.
- AIO (AI Optimisation): Ensures your content is structured and organised so it’s easy for AI agents and systems to read and understand your data.
1. Keep your SEO foundation strong
Despite what some people say, SEO isn’t dead. Think of traditional SEO as the plumbing of your business. If the pipes don’t work, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the taps are. You need a website that functions so AI “crawlers” can read and understand your content.
If you’re just starting out, I have a guide on SEO basics that explains the foundation in plain English. Modern SEO prioritises clarity. You don’t need to use a specific phrase seventeen times in one blog post. Focus on writing in a way that’s easy for a human to read.
Make sure your website is fast. If it takes five seconds to load on a mobile phone, both humans and AI bots will leave. Next, look at your page titles. Instead of being “clever” or “poetic,” be literal. For more depth, you can read how to properly optimise your website for SEO and check out these quick SEO wins to get moving faster.
Use Schema (machine labels) to give AI a key to your site so it doesn’t have to guess. It’s a piece of code that tells the search engine, “This part is a recipe,” or “This part is a price.”
2. Become the instant answer with AEO
Answer Engine Optimisation is all about how people use voice search and AI tools like Siri, Alexa or Google’s AI mode. People aren’t just typing keywords like “best copywriter UK” anymore. They’re asking questions like “Who is a copywriter that specialises in eco-friendly brands?”
To win at AEO, you need to provide direct answers to direct questions. The easiest way to do this is to add a FAQ section to your main service pages. Think about the questions your clients actually ask you during discovery calls. This is a great way to match your content with user intent.
Write these questions exactly as they say them. Then, give a clear and concise answer. A good rule of thumb for 2026 is to keep your primary answer between 40 and 60 words. This is the “sweet spot” that AI tools love to pull from.
The placement of your answer matters. We used to tell a long story and put the answer at the end. In 2026, you should put the answer right at the top. Give them the “what” immediately, then explain the “why” and “how” later.
3. Build your AI reputation for GEO
Generative Engine Optimisation is essentially digital PR. AI models like ChatGPT or Claude learn by reading the entire internet. To be recommended by these tools, your brand name needs to be associated with your niche in multiple places.
Consistency is your best friend here. You don’t need to be on every social media platform. Ensure your name and what you do remain consistent across the web. If your LinkedIn says one thing and your website says another, the AI gets confused. I have a detailed post on how to optimise your website for AI search that breaks this down further.
Try to get mentioned on other websites. This could be through guest blogging, being a guest on a podcast or being featured in a local news article. When other reputable sites link to you, it acts as a “vote of confidence” in the eyes of generative AI.
4. Leverage social search
We shouldn’t forget about social media search (Social Engine Optimisation). People use Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest just like search engines now. If you’re already creating content there, a few small tweaks can help your posts show up when your dream clients are browsing.
If you want to dive deeper into these platforms, I have specific guides on how to implement SEO on Instagram and how to master SEO on Pinterest. Using the right keywords in your captions and bios makes it much easier for new people to find your world.
How this looks in the real world
Let’s look at how three different solopreneurs might apply this strategy to their daily workflow.
- The Brand Photographer: Instead of just posting to Instagram, they write a blog post: “What to wear for a brand photoshoot” and includes a FAQ section answering technical questions about lighting and wardrobe, which helps her win at AEO.
- The Copywriter: They create a simple guide called “The 3-Step Sales Page Framework.” By naming the framework, they give AI something specific to index. They ensure their Google Business Profile is up to date with their correct location and services to help with local SEO. When someone asks an AI for a “reliable sales page copywriter,” their framework and consistent profiles make her a top choice.
- The Business Coach: They focus on being a guest on podcasts within their niche. Every time a host links to their site, their GEO authority increases. On their own site, they keep their blog posts simple, targeting their specific audience and focusing their content pillars on being the most helpful person.
Sustainable visibility
You deserve a visibility strategy that runs while you are busy serving clients or taking a Friday afternoon off.
In 2026, the most successful solopreneurs are the ones who lean into their humanity. AI can generate text, but it can’t share your lived experience or your specific brand voice. You just need to be clear, helpful and consistent. You’ve already got the expertise. We just need to make sure the right engines know how to find you.
If you want to stop the guessing game and start being seen, I’d love to help you. You can book a discovery call with me today to see if we’re a good fit. Let’s make 2026 the year your marketing finally feels easy.
