AI & AEO

Retrieval-Augmented Search

Quick Definition

Retrieval-augmented search uses a search component to retrieve current relevant documents, which an LLM then uses to compose an answer with citations.

In context

Powers Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and ChatGPT Search. Optimizing for retrieval (strong SEO) is a prerequisite for being cited in retrieval-augmented answers.

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Related terms

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)

GEO is another name for AEO — optimizing content for generative AI search engines.

AIO (AI Optimization)

AIO is an emerging umbrella term covering all forms of optimization for AI surfaces — AI Overviews, ChatGPT search, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini — across both retrieval and citation contexts.

Agentic Search

Agentic search is the next-generation pattern where an AI agent autonomously plans, executes, and refines a multi-step research task on the user's behalf — not just answering a single query.

Chain-of-Thought Search

Chain-of-thought search refers to AI engines that decompose a query into a visible reasoning chain, retrieving and citing sources at each reasoning step.

AI Overviews Optimization

AI Overviews optimization tactics aim to be cited as a source in Google's AI-generated answer boxes.

Helpful Content System

Google's Helpful Content System is a sitewide quality evaluation that reduces the visibility of content created primarily for search engines rather than users.

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