From Google to ChatGPT: Why AEO Matters for Small Businesses

Bywdwalrus

We’re starting to get more and more leads that look like this: people reaching out and saying they found us through ChatGPT.

A screenshot of an RFQ with a red circle around "How did you hear about us? ChatGPT"showing the importance of AEO

That screenshot isn’t just a novelty, it’s proof that the way people search is changing. For years, we’ve focused on optimizing for Google, but now we’re seeing real prospects discover us through AI-powered platforms.

And we’re not alone. According to Youtech’s 2025 AI & Local Search Consumer Report, 27% of U.S. consumers used an AI assistant to find a local business in the past week. Understanding how AI is changing how customers choose local businesses is becoming essential for staying competitive.

Usage may still be lower than Google, but it’s growing and it’s real.

SEO vs. AEO: The New Search Landscape

  • SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Optimizes your website to rank in Google search results, drive clicks, and capture traffic. Traditional SEO services lay the technical and organizational groundwork for all digital visibility.
  • AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Optimizes your content so AI tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, and Perplexity will reference your business in their answers.

As Amsive puts it: “AEO isn’t a departure from SEO. It’s search’s latest chapter.”
Read their full guide here.

In short:
SEO gets you found on Google.
AEO can get you cited in AI.
And businesses will need both.

How to Get “AI-Search Healthy”

Here are a few steps we’re taking (and recommending to clients):

  1. Write in Q&A formats – Direct, conversational answers make it easier for AI to reference your site, especially when grounded by a clear marketing message.
  2. Keep content fresh – Update pages and publish new resources regularly.
  3. Add schema markup – FAQ, LocalBusiness, and Product schema help AI parse your content.
  4. Show authority – Earn backlinks, highlight credentials, and provide author bios.
  5. Stay consistent across platforms – Ensure your brand shows up credibly everywhere AI might pull info.
  6. Track your visibility – Learn how to track whether your business is receiving AI citations to see what’s actually working in real-time.

Why This Matters

The leads we’re seeing today are just the beginning. Just as businesses had to adapt to SEO in the early 2000s, the next wave is AEO.

AI search isn’t replacing Google overnight, but it’s shaping consumer behavior right now. And those who prepare for both SEO and AEO will be the ones showing up when it counts.

Supporting research:

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