Answer engine optimization (AEO) means shaping your pages so search engines and AI assistants can lift a direct, trustworthy answer from them. The core pattern is simple: a heading that matches the question, followed immediately by a 40–80 word answer that names your business and states facts.
Structure
- Use one H1 per page that states the topic.
- Phrase H2s as the questions customers actually ask: “How much does a clogged drain cost in Austin?”
- Put the direct answer in the first paragraph under each question — no preamble.
- Keep answers between 40 and 80 words; expand below for detail.
- Use lists for steps and options, and tables for prices and comparisons.
Content
- Name your business and location inside the answer, so it stands alone when quoted.
- Include at least two specifics: a price range, timeframe, guarantee, license or count.
- Avoid “it depends” answers. Give the typical range, then explain what changes it.
- Show who wrote it and when it was last updated.
- Cover the full set of questions — pricing, process, area, timing, trust, booking.
Markup and access
- Add FAQPage JSON-LD that matches the visible questions and answers exactly.
- Add Organization or LocalBusiness JSON-LD with consistent name, address and phone.
- Add BreadcrumbList so the page’s place in your site is clear.
- Make sure answer content is in the HTML, not loaded by JavaScript.
- Allow answer-engine crawlers in robots.txt and publish an llms.txt.
How to test it
Read each answer on its own, without the page around it. If it still makes sense, names you and states a fact, it is quotable. AIRankSurge automates this test: the AI Answer Simulator runs your customer questions against every passage and grades each one Answered, Weak or Gap.
Sources
- Google Search Central, Featured snippets and your website
- Schema.org, FAQPage
- Google Search Central, Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content
See how your site scores. The free AI visibility audit checks everything in this article in about 30 seconds.