Most small business owners still think visibility = “rank on Google.”
But the real shift happening right now?
Clients are asking AI tools—not search engines—for recommendations.
Questions like:
“Who’s the best physical therapist near me?”
“Find me a couples counselor who offers virtual sessions.”
“Which med spa helps with adult acne and takes PPO insurance?”
When that happens, AI assistants decide who gets recommended, not just Google.
And that’s where AEO—Answer Engine Optimization—comes in.