SEO isn’t even the right term anymore for how we optimize websites to drive traffic.

I wrote about the impact of AI on SEO and digital marketing just a couple of blog posts ago. With the close of 2025 and a full year of real-world data behind us, one thing is clear – “SEO” isn’t even the right term anymore for how we optimize websites to drive traffic.

Traditional search engines are still part of the picture – but only a part. Today, visibility also depends on how content performs in answer engines and large language models (LLMs), along with the strength and consistency of your overall digital presence. That includes social media, your Google Business Profile, and the broader signals your brand sends across the web.

In other words, getting found is no longer about ranking in one place – it’s about showing up everywhere people are looking for answers.

What is AEO and AIO?

AEO stands for “Answer Engine Optimization”, also know as AIO “Artificial Intelligence Optimization.” It’s the art of optimizing your website to rank on LLMs, and get mentioned when people ask it relevant questions that relate to your business.

It’s important because in 2026 not as many people are actually using search engines to find the products and services they need. People are increasingly turning to LLMs for that information. Yes, instead of “Googling it”, people are searching in their AI platform of choice. Additionally, search engines themselves are changing and “zero click searches” are on the rise. Zero click searches are when the user did a search without clicking on any website in the results, often because the result in AI overviews were enough to satisfy their curiosity.

So, who is using LLMs to search? Surprisingly it’s being adopted across the board! There was a recent segment on NPR about an 80 year old grandfather who never really used search engines, but he can easily open the ChatGPT app to ask a question.

The number of people using LLMs to search is only going to grow in the coming months and years.

While LLM search is still a relatively small percentage of search globally (about 5% according to ChatGPT), about 14% of LLM users use it before consulting any other source and that number is only going to grow.

How do You Rank for AEO & AIO?

The REALLY IMPORTANT Takeaway

What’s most interesting, and VERY important for people to understand is that the work that needs to be done to get your website to rank on search engines and LLMs hasn’t actually changed that much. It’s just that the landscape is more competitive, and it’s harder to quantify results due to the increases in zero click searches.

Nothing that we recommend businesses do to increase their digital presence is going away. It’s still important to:

• Focus on your website’s technical SEO and make sure it’s optimized for the products and services for your business.
• Consistently update your website with quality, expert content to ensure you are seen as a trusted source in your industry.
• Get quality inbound links from other websites to make your website seem more important and legitimate.
• Track and analyze your results to identify opportunities to improve.

The list above was good advice in 2012, it’s good advice now.

A Well-Optimized Website Can’t Do All the Work Alone Anymore

These website optimization efforts listed above continue to be effective, and will be in the future, unless something happens to completely shift the market. There isn’t a change in tactics, but we need to do MORE than before to be competitive. The days of JUST having a well optimized website to drive traffic is over – an all-around approach is needed.

What Zebralove Web Solutions Doing Differently

In 2026, we have redesigned our monthly SEO plans in response to the changes in search habits. All of our SEO plans now have AEO and AIO included in them, and we have invested in additional tools that will help us track AI mentions, in addition to the traditional search results we report on.

We will also be able to recommend content based on what people are searching for on LLMs, and have new ways to optimize your website for both search engines and LLMs.

If you're interested in learning more about how AEO and AIO are shaping today's digital marketing or you want to be sure your website is competitive - CONTACT US - we're here to help!

Click here to browse SEO plans. Or if you're interested in seeing how your site currently stands, check out our new AEO Audit.

Milly Welsh

Owner

Zebralove Web Solutions

Milly has 18 years experience in designing and developing websites, developing apps, and online marketing. She is an expert at driving traffic to websites utilizing SEO strategies and custom digital marketing efforts. Her company, Zebralove Web Solutions offers full service digital marketing and website development. Comprehensive Search Engine Optimization services, and secure web hosting services.

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