Question 1

What is AEO?

Accepted Answer

AEO is Answer Engine Optimisation: when ChatGPT, Claude, or Google AI Mode uses your website as the answer. Google and Bing still have to index the page. Assistants fetch from that index, plus other sources they trust.

Question 2

How do I know if ChatGPT can find my website?

Accepted Answer

Ask by brand name first, such as “What is My Digital Architect?” If the answer is missing, check Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools and submit the homepage. Then ask two category questions with no brand name and see who gets cited.

Question 3

Why does my brand show up by name but not in category searches?

Accepted Answer

The tools know the entity, yet they still prefer other URLs for buyer questions. Look at who is cited and which page type they used. Ship that shape. Share the URL and earn mentions on other sites. Pages on their own are rarely enough when the site is new.

Question 4

Should I buy an AEO tool first?

Accepted Answer

No. Stay on GA4, Google Search Console, and Bing Webmaster Tools until branded and category tests feel routine and the homepage is indexed. A paid tracker on an unindexed site reports silence. My Digital Architect publishes a public crawl check and a six-part AEO 101 on the blog.

Question 5

What are the six parts of AEO 101?

Accepted Answer

Why the answer changed, write who you are, prompts that measure, run the first audit, close the gap, and keep the loop. Start with a branded search, then work the parts in order. Ray uses the same loop on mydigitalarchitect.com.