AEO: how to appear in ChatGPT and Perplexity answers in 2026
Classic SEO is no longer enough. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is the discipline that gets your property cited by generative AI.
What is AEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is the set of techniques that get your property cited by generative AI — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Claude — when a user asks a relevant question.
Example: a traveler types "best campground with a pool near the Gorges du Verdon" into ChatGPT. The AI can cite your campground — or the one next door. The difference? The quality of your AEO signals.
The 4 pillars of AEO in 2026
The /llms.txt file
The AI equivalent of robots.txt, this text file describes your property in natural language: who you are, your services, your rates, your strengths. AIs read it before answering questions about your brand or your geographic area.
Specialized schema markup
LodgingBusiness, Campground, Hotel — these schema types let AIs understand exactly what you offer: star rating, amenities, GPS location, price range.
Speakable schemas
These tags tell AIs which parts of your content are most important to remember and cite. They are especially effective on "About" pages and service pages.
E-E-A-T content
Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness — AIs favor sources that demonstrate real expertise. For a hotelier: founding dates, team, verified reviews, certifications.
How to measure your AEO visibility
Unlike SEO, there is not yet a reliable "rank tracker" for AEO. The most direct method: manually test 10-20 representative queries in ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews, and note whether your property is cited.
Livada SEO includes an automated AEO audit that analyzes your current signals and lists priority improvements.
Ready to stop wasting time?
Livada SEO + Cockpit give you the pro tools to take action — tested on real hotels and campsites.