Hello {{First name | there}},
Every few years, marketers come up with a new set of buzzwords.
AI SEO. AEO. AIO. GEO.
It sounds impressive—until you realize it’s just SEO wearing a new hat.
If you’re feeling pressure to “optimize for AI,” take a breath.
This isn’t a new game. It’s the same one we’ve been playing since the 1990s—just with smarter tools and shinier acronyms.
Catch Up on Past Mini-Courses
If you’re new here or want to revisit earlier lessons, here’s what we’ve covered:
Build a 3-Month Content Queue - turn real customer questions into 3 months of content.
Analytics Made Simple - track what actually matters.
Local SEO That Works - earn visibility and reviews step-by-step.
Build a Website That Works - keep your site fast, secure, and updated.
Real-World Story
Over the years, I’ve seen this same pattern repeat.
In the early 2000s, it was “keyword density.”
Later, it was “LSI keywords,” then “mobile-first,” then “voice search,” and now “AI optimization.”
Each time, marketers rush to rebrand the same set of principles and sell them as the next big thing.
If your business sells something like fidget-spinners, maybe that makes sense—you’re chasing a six-month trend.
But if you’re running a long-term business like lawn care, you don’t want quick spikes and crashes.
You want consistent growth that compounds.
That’s what sustainable marketing—and real SEO—has always been about.
Why It Matters
AI-generated search tools (and large language models like ChatGPT and Perplexity) still rely on structured, trustworthy, human-written information.
They learn from the same sources search engines have always valued—clear content, consistent data, and credible signals across the web.
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and AIO (AI Optimization) aren’t new systems; they’re new names for SEO done right.
If you’ve been focusing on clarity, authority, and helpful content, you’re already ahead.
The difference is that now, instead of optimizing for Google alone, you’re optimizing for how people and machines understand your business anywhere online.
Common Mistakes
Treating AEO and AIO as magic formulas.
Paying agencies that promise “AI SEO” without explaining what that means.
Ignoring foundational SEO practices because “AI will do it for me.”
Thinking short-term instead of building sustainable visibility.
This Week’s Action (Checklist)
Skip the hype and focus on the 20% of effort that drives 80% of results.
Meet with your sales or support team. Ask: “What questions do customers keep asking us?”
Pick one question. Write a short blog post (400–800 words) that answers it clearly and naturally, using your real examples.
Publish it on your website. Give it a clear title like “How much does lawn care cost in Raleigh?” — written the same way customers would ask it.
Share it once on social media and link to it from your FAQ page.
This single weekly habit builds a library of helpful content that strengthens your SEO and helps AI engines understand your expertise.
Why OptSus recommends this:
Because it’s sustainable, efficient, and compounding.
Long-form blog posts help both humans and AI “see” your business more clearly — without chasing every new acronym or algorithm update.
How It Fits Into the Bigger Picture
AI hasn’t replaced SEO—it’s expanded where SEO matters.
Your job now is to make your expertise visible everywhere algorithms learn.
Next week, we’ll look deeper into how AI systems actually learn about your business and what signals influence their answers.
Key Takeaway
AEO and AIO aren’t new strategies—they’re reminders to do SEO the right way.
🎁 Holiday Sale
Plan ahead before prices rise.
Lock in 2025 pricing now and start Q1 with a clear marketing strategy and expert support from the OptSus team.
You’ll even get the tax benefit of paying before the end of the year.
Want more support while you’re doing this?
Join the free SEO Social Club — a monthly meetup to see what’s working in SEO right now.
Explore Marketing ROI Essentials if you’re ready for deeper strategy.
Or join the premium OptSus Marketing Community for ongoing feedback and advice.
Talk soon,
Frank
P.S.
Hit reply and tell me what comes up when you ask ChatGPT about your business. I’ll personally reply with one simple way to improve how you show up in AI and search—free of charge.
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