GEO Playbook 2026: How to Rank in ChatGPT & Gemini
Answer Engine Optimisation is no longer a science project. In 2026, AEO is a standing line item in serious marketing budgets. Here is the playbook we run with SaaS and tech brands to move from invisible to cited.
1. Start with prompts, not keywords
Your AEO strategy begins with the questions your buyer actually asks an assistant. Interview sales, mine Reddit and G2, and build a prompt library of 50 to 200 questions grouped by intent: category discovery, comparison, evaluation, and objection handling.
2. Structure content for extraction
LLMs prefer content they can lift cleanly. That means:
- One clear definition near the top of every important page.
- Short, scannable paragraphs.
- Comparison tables that name competitors.
- FAQ blocks with real, specific answers.
- Consistent entity naming across your site.
3. Earn third-party authority
Assistants weight sources they trust. For B2B and SaaS that usually means G2 and Capterra reviews, Reddit threads, YouTube tutorials, and reputable industry press. AEO PR focuses on the outlets that actually influence AI answers, not the ones that flatter a media list.
4. Fix the technical foundations
Crawlability, clean schema, and up-to-date sitemaps still matter: AI engines rely on the same web infrastructure. Ship the fundamentals before you optimise for exotic tactics.
5. Measure share of AI voice
| Metric | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Mention rate | How often you appear across your priority prompts. |
| Sentiment | Whether the AI frames you positively, neutrally, or negatively. |
| Accuracy | Whether the facts the AI states about you are correct. |
| Share of voice | Your mentions versus each competitor. |
Where to focus in 2026
The brands winning AEO right now are the ones treating it like a real channel: quarterly benchmarks, dedicated content investment, and an owner. Start small, ship monthly, and compound.
