A handful of terms recur across the platform. Here are the definitions, no fluff.
SEO — Search Engine Optimization
The set of techniques for ranking higher in the links of search engines (mainly Google). Goal: get the user to click your result.
AEO — Answer Engine Optimization
The set of techniques for being cited as a source in AI-generated answers (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, Google AI Overview). This isn't about link position — it's about being the name the AI mentions. It's the heart of CiteProof.
GEO — Generative Engine Optimization
A synonym for AEO, more common in the US market. It refers to the same thing: optimizing for generative engines.
Answer engine
An AI system that responds to a question with a synthesized answer instead of a list of links. ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude and Google AI Overview are answer engines.
Citation
When an answer engine names your brand or links your site inside its answer. It's the unit of measure for AEO: more citations = more visibility.
Structured data (Schema)
Invisible markers in the page's code that tell the AI what it contains (a business, an FAQ, an article). They help engines understand — and therefore cite — your content.
Verify Bot
CiteProof's check that confirms a fix is actually live before the score goes up.
What's the difference between AEO and GEO?
No real difference: they describe the same activity, optimizing to be cited by generative engines. 'AEO' is more common in Europe, 'GEO' in the US.