Define Ask Engine Optimisation (AEO) - What You Need to Know

ShiFT Focus: AI, voice search, visibility, future-proof strategy

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Definition

Ask Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the strategic art of making your brand the answer to the questions your audience is already asking - on search engines, voice assistants, and AI tools. Instead of stuffing keywords together (we've all been there) and hoping to rank, AEO shifts the focus to clarity, authority, and value-packed responses that position you as a go-to expert.

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Why it matters

We’re shifting from a search world to an ask world, where people are turning to AI for answers, not just Google. That means people don’t just search, they ask their devices, AI assistants, and platforms for instant answers. Brands that prioritise AEO will lead the next wave of organic discovery, more likely show up at the top, be quoted by AI, and become the trusted expert in their niche.

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Use Case

Let’s say you run a plant-based snack startup. A potential customer asks their smart speaker:

“What are the best protein-packed vegan snacks?”

If your content is written to answer that exact question with clear structure, helpful info, and FAQ schema you’re not just visible, you're chosen. Your blog post or product page becomes the first spoken response, instantly building credibility and trust.

Key Takeaways

• Structure your content around real, high-intent questions.

• Use tools like FAQ schema markup to optimise for voice search and featured snippets.

• Become the brand that shows up with answers—before your audience even realises they need you.

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A Note from Shi

When you focus on providing answers and being helpful, success naturally follows

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Next Level ShiFT

💡 Prompt to try in ChatGPT:

“List the top 10 questions my ideal customer is likely asking about [insert topic], and help me write a standout response for each.”