GEO and AEO
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) usually describes work on content and brand presence in generative answers. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) describes work focused on answers from search systems and assistants. Their uses overlap; they are not two universal metrics.
Google's AI features retain SEO fundamentals. Google requires no special AI file or specific schema for appearing in AI Overviews or AI Mode.
Mention and citation
Mention: a brand name appears in an answer. Citation: information is attributed to an identifiable source, usually through a link. One does not imply the other.
Presence within a sample
The proportion of valid answers in a set where a brand is observed under an explicit identification rule. It does not represent all conversations or guarantee a recommendation.
Coverage
The relationship between valid observations and those planned in the scope. It shows errors, omissions and limits a summary percentage could hide.
API environment and consumer interface
An environment is the specific setting where an answer is observed. OpenAI API and OpenRouter are API or proxy environments. Their measurements are not ChatGPT interface captures.
Referral visit and crawl
A referral visit is a session whose source can be identified in analytics. A crawl is an agent's request to a server. That request does not establish a human visit or citation.
Question or prompt
The specific input sent to an environment. Retain its wording, language, intent and version for measurement. Including a brand name makes it brand-specific; omitting it allows an open query.
Comparability
How far two measurements preserve the conditions needed to interpret differences. Changes to questions, models, language or coverage must be documented before comparison.
