Answer Engine Optimization Specialists

Most Top-Ranking Companies on Google Are Invisible to AI

Why do high-ranking companies get ignored by AI?
ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity prioritize structured, extractable content over traditional SEO signals.

Book Strategy Call View Our Services

What Is Answer Engine Optimization?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing your content so AI systems cite and recommend your business when users ask for answers.

AEO differs fundamentally from SEO. Traditional search engine optimization gets your business ranked in Google. AEO gets your business cited in AI-generated answers across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview. This matters because customer search behavior is shifting to conversational AI, where citations shape decisions.

The Problem

✗ SEO won’t get you cited by AI
✗ Keywords and backlinks mean nothing to AI
✗ Rank #1 on Google, invisible to AI
✗ Competitors capture citations (and sales)

The Solution

✓ Optimize for AI extraction and citation
✓ Build verifiable authority signals
✓ Be the answer AI systems recommend
✓ Win citations where decisions happen

How It’s Different From SEO

SEO and AEO serve different discovery channels. SEO secures your rankings in Google search. AEO secures your citations in AI-generated answers across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview.

Answer Engine Optimization

What It Does

Optimizes your content to be extracted, understood, and cited by AI systems in conversational answers.

AEO Optimizes For

Entity recognition and relationships
Extractable answer formatting
Semantic depth and context
Factual consistency across sources
Original insights and expertise
AI citation and recommendation rates

Traditional SEO

What It Does

Optimizes your content to rank in search engine results and drive clicks to your website.

SEO Optimizes For

Keyword rankings
Backlink acquisition
Domain authority
Click-through rates
Page speed and technical factors
User engagement metrics

The Bottom Line

SEO remains essential for traditional search rankings. AI search is now the primary discovery channel for customer answers. Organizations that optimize for both will dominate their categories.

✧

How We Work With You

We execute a proven AEO methodology refined through continuous industry testing and research. Each step is designed to secure your business citations from major AI systems.

Foundation Audit

Analyze your current AI visibility
Map entity recognition and content gaps
Benchmark your competitive position
Identify immediate improvement opportunities

Example: SaaS Workflow Tool Audit

Query: “best workflow automation for remote teams”

Google AI Overview Summary: “For remote teams looking for workflow automation, consider platforms that offer real-time collaboration, task tracking, and integrations with communication tools. TaskFlow provides automatic task routing and approval workflows, making it ideal for distributed teams who need streamlined processes without constant manual intervention.”

TaskFlow appears in:

✓ Google AI Overview

✓ Perplexity AI

✗ ChatGPT

AI Platforms Cited

Relevant Queries Tracked

40%

Share of Voice

Improvement Opportunities

Strategic Roadmap

Identify high-value queries in your industry
Build custom content strategy
Define authority positioning goals
Plan for how customers ask AI for answers

Query Roadmap: Enterprise SaaS Platform

“Best enterprise collaboration software”

Month 1-2 Priority

14K Searches

8 Competitors

HIGH

“How to implement workflow automation”

Month 2-3 Priority

8.2K Searches

6 Competitors

HIGH

“Team communication tools comparison”

Month 3-4 Priority

5.1K Searches

12 Competitors

MEDIUM

Content Production

Create and optimize content based on EXTRACT Framework
Implement technical AEO across your content
Provide ongoing optimization and testing
Your review and approval before publishing

Entity-First Architecture

Structure content around entities and their relationships so AI understands what you’re talking about.

eXtractable Answer Units

Format information in clear, standalone passages that AI can pull directly into responses.

Temporal Signals

Include publication dates, update markers, and freshness indicators so AI knows your content is current.

Relational Context

Connect ideas and topics so AI understands how information relates and builds comprehensive answers.

Authority Markers

Establish credibility through expert attribution, citations, and third-party validation.

Consistency Across Sources

Ensure claims are verifiable and consistent so AI can confidently cite your content without contradictions.

Technical Implementation

Use schema markup, structured data, and proper HTML so AI systems can parse your content accurately.

Learn More About EXTRACT →

Visibility Tracking

Monitor AI citations and visibility trends
Track your share-of-voice improvements
Measure entity recognition and citation gains
Identify new content opportunities

6-Month Citation Growth: Enterprise SaaS Platform

Total AI Citations

0 Month 1

→

47 Month 6

Share of Voice

0% Month 1

→

32% Month 6

Entity Recognition Strength

15% Month 1

→

78% Month 6

+430%

Citation Growth

Key Milestones

First citation appears across AI platforms

Week 6

Reaches 10% share of voice in primary queries

Month 3

Becomes top-3 cited source in category

Month 5

Our Service Tiers

From testing our approach to building comprehensive AI authority, we have a service tier designed for your goals and timeline.

AEO Content Sprint

$1,500 one-time

Test our methodology with 3 optimized articles, full audit, and benchmark report.

No commitment required

Growth Plan

$2,500 /month

6 articles/month with strategy, quarterly reporting, and monthly strategy calls.

6-month minimum

Authority Plan

$4,500 /month

12 articles/month with full technical implementation and dedicated account manager.

9-month minimum

Enterprise Plan

$8,000+ /month

Custom volume, white-label options, dedicated team, and weekly strategy sessions.

12-month minimum

View Full Service Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with Evening Star Digital

How is AEO different from SEO?

Traditional SEO optimizes for search engine rankings and click-through rates. AEO optimizes for being the answer that AI systems extract and cite. While SEO focuses on keywords, backlinks, and domain authority, AEO focuses on entity recognition, extractable formatting, semantic depth, and factual consistency—the signals AI uses to determine authority.

How long does it take to see results?

Most clients see initial AI citations within 3-4 months, with measurable improvement in AI visibility by months 5-6. Building comprehensive AI authority takes 9-12 months. We’re transparent about timelines because AEO is about sustainable authority, not quick wins. AI systems need time to recognize content patterns and build confidence in your expertise.

What if we already have a content team?

We can work alongside your team in several ways: producing new AEO-optimized content, training your team on the EXTRACT Framework, or optimizing content your team creates. Some clients use us for strategy and technical implementation while their team handles writing. We’re flexible based on your needs.

Do you guarantee specific rankings or citations?

No, because AI systems synthesize information and determine authority differently than traditional search engines. We can’t directly control which sources they cite. What we do guarantee is systematic implementation of our EXTRACT Framework, measurable tracking of your AI visibility, and transparent reporting of results. Our methodology is proven, but we don’t make promises we can’t keep.

What industries do you work with?

We work across industries because our methodology is industry-agnostic. The principles of entity recognition, extractability, and semantic depth apply universally. We’ve worked with SaaS companies, professional services, B2B providers, and digital marketing agencies. What matters isn’t your industry—it’s your commitment to building real authority.

Can we cancel if it’s not working?

After your minimum commitment period ends, you can cancel with 60 days notice. We believe in earning your business through results, not locking you in indefinitely. Most clients who see the work and understand the timeline choose to continue because they recognize the value of compound authority building.

Do you write the content or do we?

We handle content creation, optimization, and technical implementation. You provide strategic input on topics, review drafts, and approve final pieces. Our approach is collaborative but designed to be low-touch on your end. You shouldn’t need to manage the details, just provide direction and feedback.

What metrics do you track?

We track AI visibility scores (share-of-voice for target queries), citation frequency across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview, entity recognition strength, and query coverage (number of relevant queries where you appear).

Still have questions? Let’s talk. Book a free assessment to discuss your specific situation.

Book Free Assessment

Ready to Own Your Category in AI Search?

The businesses that dominate the next decade won’t be the ones with the most backlinks. They’ll be the ones AI systems trust enough to recommend.

Start Learning

Download Our Guide

Get the complete guide to Answer Engine Optimization and start understanding how to structure content for AI citations.

Get Free Guide →

Get Assessment

Book Free Consultation

AI visibility assessment. See where you stand, what competitors are doing, and immediate opportunities.

Book Assessment →

Start Building

View Our Services

Explore our service tiers from testing with a content sprint to comprehensive authority building programs.

View Services →