TL;DR
SEO secures crawlability and structure; AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) ensures concise, attributable answers are machine-readable and citable. Use the CHOSEN framework - Clarity, Helpful, Off-site, Structure, Evidence, Numbers - to optimise for both classic rankings and AI answer features.
AI overviews prefer short, sourced answers that map directly to user intent. Pages that pair a clear answer with matching structured data and credible citations are much likelier to be selected by generative layers and overview panels. This makes AEO not a replacement for SEO, but an extension of it. When both are aligned, you improve visibility in classic search results while increasing the likelihood of being cited by AI systems. Integrating AI SEO into your content approach ensures pages are structured for both traditional crawlers and AI-driven answer engines.
Why Should You Combine SEO and AEO?
Because the fundamentals that win organic visibility—clear intent mapping, robust structure and third-party credibility—also make your content extractable by AI systems. Treating SEO and AEO as separate tasks risks duplicated effort and inconsistent signals; aligned work increases the chance of both high rankings and being chosen as the canonical answer.
What Does the CHOSEN Framework Cover?
CHOSEN is a compact operating model:
- Clarity and Helpful content for intent fulfilment;
- Off-site signals for credibility;
- Structure (JSON-LD) for machine readability;
- Evidence and Numbers to make claims verifiable.
These elements, along with third-party mentions and digital PR, strengthen authority and make content both discoverable and citable. It acts as a unified AEO strategy that aligns with proven SEO principles.
How Do You Implement CHOSEN in Practice?
1. Content & Clarity (Clarity, Helpful)
Lead with an answer-first template: one or two sentences that directly answer the likely query, then expand with context and examples. Use question-matching headings and include the concise answer in body text and page meta so AI layers can extract it. Format answers for scannability - short paragraphs, bullets, and clear labels.
2. Structure & Proof (Structure, Evidence, Numbers)
Apply JSON-LD that mirrors visible headings and Q&A blocks; validate with Google’s Rich Results Test. Cite primary sources inline and present key metrics in bullet lists or small tables so numbers are machine-readable. Keep one canonical source per claim to avoid conflicting signals across pages.
3. Off-site credibility (Off-site)
Prioritise earned coverage from reputable outlets and journalist networks rather than a scatter of weak links. Use structured contributor content and clear author attribution to strengthen provenance. Monitor a hybrid scorecard that combines AI feature presence and traditional ranking signals to refine outreach.
Takeaway
Treat SEO and AEO as a single playbook. CHOSEN provides a practical checklist to make content both discoverable and citable by modern AI answer surfaces. By applying it consistently, you align technical optimisation with credibility signals, improving your chances of being the chosen source.
Micro-Glossary
- CHOSEN: Clarity, Helpful, Off-site, Structure, Evidence, Numbers.
- JSON-LD/Structured data: Machine-readable markup that must reflect visible content.
- Digital PR: Earned coverage and mentions that boost authority.
- Rich Results Test: Google’s validator for structured data eligibility.
