From 8031ef8c641a07fd84aed9e417f123c843445575 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Ty Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:57:52 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] docs: ingest AEO vs GEO distinction into VeriPath model (decision 2026-08-17) --- ...7-aeo-geo-ingestion-into-veripath-model.md | 45 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 45 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs/decisions/2026-08-17-aeo-geo-ingestion-into-veripath-model.md diff --git a/docs/decisions/2026-08-17-aeo-geo-ingestion-into-veripath-model.md b/docs/decisions/2026-08-17-aeo-geo-ingestion-into-veripath-model.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..073b4a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/decisions/2026-08-17-aeo-geo-ingestion-into-veripath-model.md @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ +# Decision: Ingest AEO vs GEO Distinction into VeriPath Model + +**Date:** 2026-08-17 +**Status:** Accepted +**Context:** Critical external knowledge from Smart Money Media (https://smartmoneymedia.org/blog/aeo-vs-geo-answer-engine-optimization-generative-engine and the definitive guide at /guides/aeo-vs-geo) must be incorporated so VeriPath's AI Visibility domain is precise and future-proof. + +## Summary of Source Knowledge + +Industry definitions of AEO and GEO are still converging, but two complementary framings are useful: + +### Framing A (Smart Money Media definitive guide, Aug 2026) +- **AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)**: Focused on conversational AI engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Copilot chat). Win condition = cited by name inside the generated answer. +- **GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)**: Broader umbrella that includes AEO + Google AI Overviews, Bing generative answers, and other generative search surfaces. AEO is a sub-discipline of GEO. +- Shared ~80% infrastructure: entity graph, schema, llms.txt, direct-answer content blocks, tier-1 earned media, AI crawler access, freshness. +- Classic SEO (top-10 organic) is high-dependency for Google AI Overviews (GEO), moderate for pure chat AEO. + +### Framing B (earlier blog + other sources) +- **AEO**: Extraction-oriented. Structure pages so machines can lift self-contained passages (featured snippets, AI Overviews, voice, PAA). +- **GEO**: Reputation / citation-oriented. Build third-party authority and entity consistency so generative models choose to name and correctly synthesize the brand. + +Both framings agree on core tactics VeriPath already prioritizes: clean entity identity, structured facts, human-verified canonical record, tiered evidence, and measurement of AI representation. + +## Incorporation into VeriPath + +1. **Service Domain 2** is expanded from "AI Visibility Integrity / AEO" to **AI Visibility Integrity (AEO + GEO)**. +2. Definitions are locked as follows for VeriPath operating language: + - **AEO**: The practice of making the business's facts extractable and correctly parseable by answer engines (structure, schema, direct-answer blocks, llms.txt, NAP/entity consistency). + - **GEO**: The practice of making the business a preferred, accurately represented source inside generative narratives (entity authority, tier-1 citations, cross-web consistency, brand-mention density in training/retrieval corpora). +3. The canonical business record remains the single source of truth that powers both AEO (structured extractable facts) and GEO (trusted entity signals). +4. AI representation tests in the audit workflow must cover both: + - Extraction surfaces (AI Overviews, featured snippets where applicable). + - Generative citation and accuracy across major chat engines. +5. No change to evidence tiers or human-in-the-loop rule. Both AEO and GEO findings remain subject to Tier 1/2 classification and owner approval. + +## Rationale +Local businesses lose customers when either (a) the AI cannot extract a clean answer or (b) the AI extracts/synthesizes the wrong competitor. VeriPath's strength is the verified canonical record that closes both failure modes. Explicit AEO/GEO language prevents under-specification when talking to prospects, agencies, or building future measurement. + +## Follow-on Actions +- Update README.md Service Domains section. +- Update any homepage / methodology copy that only says "AEO". +- Ensure cold-audit AI representation prompts explicitly test both classes of surfaces. +- Record this decision in the project memory and operating truth. + +**Owner:** Tony / VeriPath +**Verified against source:** Smart Money Media AEO vs GEO materials (Mar–Aug 2026).