AEO means answer engine optimization, while GEO means generative engine optimization. AEO often emphasizes making information useful in direct answers; GEO emphasizes visibility in responses generated from multiple sources. Agencies use the terms differently, and the work frequently overlaps. Neither label represents a universal technical standard that every search engine applies in the same way.
When comparing services, ask which experiences the provider targets and how progress will be measured. Content research, technical access, accurate business information, and credible evidence can support both approaches. For Google Search specifically, Google describes optimization for its generative AI experiences as SEO. A clear scope covering platforms, deliverables, measurement, and ownership is more useful than choosing a supplier because it favors one acronym.