Best name for AI SEO? GEO, LLMO, LEO, AIO...
The way people search for information is changing. AI tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI-powered search, and other generative AI models are now answering questions instead of just showing links. This means businesses and content creators must think about how to also make their content appear in AI-generated answers.
This has led to a new type of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), but there’s no single name for it yet. Some call it AI SEO, while others use terms like GEO, LEO, LLMO, or GAIO.
So, which one is correct? Let’s break it down.
Why do we need a new name?
Traditional SEO focuses on ranking higher in search engine results. This involves optimizing web pages with keywords, backlinks, and technical improvements so search engines like Google and Bing can find and rank them.
But AI-powered search doesn’t just rank pages — it generates answers using AI models. So, to appear in AI-generated responses, we need a new approach to optimization. That’s why people are trying to come up with the right name for this practice.
The challenge here is that different names highlight different aspects of this new SEO approach. Here’s a comparison of the main names being used and their pros and cons.
Comparison of AI SEO names
| Term | Full Name | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLMO | Large Language Model Optimization | Easy to connect with AI models (LLMs). Well-known in AI circles. | Might become outdated as AI expands beyond text. |
| GAIO | Generative AI Optimization | "Generative AI" is a common term. Easy to pronounce ("guy-oh"). | Not widely recognized yet. Spelling confusion possible. |
| SGEO | Search Generative Experience Optimization | Related to Google's AI-powered search (SGE). SEO professionals might find it familiar. | Long name. Google-specific. Might not apply to all AI models. |
| GEO | Generative Engine Optimization | Simple and similar to SEO. Easy to remember. | Could be mistaken for geography-related topics. |
| AI SEO | Artificial Intelligence Search Engine Optimization | "AI" and "SEO" are widely known. Simple and clear. | Might be confused with using AI tools for traditional SEO. |
| AEO | Answer Engine Optimization | Directly describes AI generating answers. | "Answer Engine" isn’t a popular term yet. |
| LEO | Language Engine Optimization | Focuses on AI-driven language processing. Short, easy to remember, and similar to SEO. | Might be confused with zodiac signs or names. Less common than "LLM" or "Generative AI". |
| AIO | AI Optimization | Broad term that covers all AI improvements, not just search. Simple and easy to understand. | Too generic, lacks specificity. Could be confused with general AI performance optimization. |
Breaking down the options
Now, let's break down each option and see which comes out to be the best.
1. LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization)
LLMO makes sense because AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are based on Large Language Models (LLMs). Optimizing content for these models is exactly what we are trying to do here.
🔹 Example: If you want ChatGPT or other AI models to mention your brand in its response, you need to create content that it can learn from. That means publishing articles, research papers, or other reliable content that LLMs will pick up.
🔸 Issue: AI models are evolving beyond just text. Future models will handle video, images, and audio as well, so "LLMO" might not stay relevant forever.
2. GAIO (Generative AI Optimization)
GAIO focuses on generative AI, the technology behind AI search results. It includes all AI models that generate answers, whether text-based or multimodal.
🔸 Issue: The term "GAIO" is not widely used yet, and some people might find it hard to understand at first.
3. SGEO (Search Generative Experience Optimization)
Google has already introduced a new way of searching called Search Generative Experience (SGE), which provides AI-generated answers instead of just a list of links.
🔹 Example: If you search for "best laptops for video editing" on Google SGE, it may show a generated answer summarizing laptop options instead of regular search results. Brands need to optimize for this AI-generated summary.
🔸 Issue: This term is very Google-specific, and what we are talking about here is not limited to just Google search.
4. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
GEO is a simple and catchy name. "Generative Engine" refers to AI models that generate responses, and "Optimization" connects it to SEO. There is already a lot of articles and research papers published citing GEO, so it has the strong backing as well.
🔸 Issue: "GEO" is often used for geography-related topics, which might confuse some people.
5. AI SEO (Artificial Intelligence SEO)
AI SEO is the simplest and most recognizable term. "AI" is a buzzword, and "SEO" is well understood, making it an easy way to describe AI-driven search optimization. Among all other terms, AI SEO already has thousands of monthly searches on Google. Also, a lot of people are already using this term.
🔸 Issue: People might misunderstand this term as "using AI to do SEO" rather than "optimizing for AI-driven search."
6. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
AEO is a direct and descriptive term. "Answer Engine" refers to AI models that generate answers, and "Optimization" connects it to SEO.
🔸 Issue: The term "AEO" is not widely used yet, and some people might find it hard to understand at first.
7. LEO (Language Engine Optimization)
LEO is a focus on AI-driven language processing. It's short, easy to remember, and similar to SEO. On a side note, @levelsio asked people on X to vote for the best name for this practice and LEO got the highest number of votes.
🔸 Issue: The term "LEO" is not widely used yet, and some people might find it hard to understand at first.
8. AIO (AI Optimization)
AIO is a broad term that covers strategies for improving visibility and performance across AI-driven platforms. It focuses on optimizing content, data, and interactions to align with AI models and search experiences.
🔸 Issue: AIO is quite generic and could be confused with AI performance optimization rather than AI-driven search and content visibility.
Which term is the most suitable?
Right now, there is no perfect answer. Different people are using different names, and over time, one term might become the industry standard.
But if you want to keep things simple, "AI SEO" is the easiest term to understand. However, "LLMO" can be another good option to go with.
What say?
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