The short answer
Really Good GEO uses these working definitions: SEO optimizes for visibility in search results. AEO optimizes for extract-and-present surfaces (search answer boxes, voice assistants, direct-answer engines). GEO optimizes for retrieval, synthesis, and citation inside generated AI responses. The three names are widely used in industry; the exact scope varies by author.
The practical comparison (Really Good GEO's model)
The rows below describe Really Good GEO's operating model, not any specific product's published definitions.
| SEO | AEO | GEO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary surface | Search results | Answer boxes and assistants | Generated AI responses |
| Common outcome | Ranking and click | Direct answer | Use or citation as a source |
| Useful measurement | Rank, impressions, clicks | Answer inclusion | Citation and discovery consistency |
| Content emphasis | Relevance and authority | Concise answer structure | Entities, evidence, fit, and extractability |
Where they overlap
All three benefit from accessible pages, descriptive URLs, clear headings, direct language, useful internal links, original evidence, and a trustworthy publishing identity.
Which should you prioritize?
Do not abandon SEO. Build strong source pages once, then measure them across search rankings, direct-answer surfaces, and generated citations. The appropriate priority depends on how customers discover and evaluate your category.