AEO Audit Before & After Examples

The best way to understand AEO is to see what changes actually move the needle. These before-and-after examples show the specific optimizations that transform pages from AI-invisible to AI-cited and explain why each change matters.

Example 1: Blog Post - Answer-First Restructuring

Before (Not Cited)

Title: "The Future of Search Marketing"

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing,
new paradigms are constantly emerging. Over the past
several years, we've witnessed remarkable shifts in
how consumers discover information online. One of the
most significant developments has been the rise of
AI-powered search tools...

[200 more words before defining AEO]

Problems:

• No direct answer in the first 100 words
• Vague, generic opening
• Title doesn’t match any specific query
• Takes 300+ words to get to the point

After (Cited by AI)

Title: "What Is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
A Complete Guide [2026]"

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of
structuring content so AI-powered tools like ChatGPT,
Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews can find, understand,
and cite it. Unlike traditional SEO which targets search
rankings, AEO targets being the source AI references
when generating direct answers.

## Key Takeaways
- AEO optimizes for AI citation, not search rankings
- Structured data, clear definitions, and author
  authority are the primary ranking factors
- Pages with FAQ schema are cited 2-3x more often

Changes made:

1. Title rewritten to match “What is AEO?” query exactly
2. Definition placed in first sentence (40 words)
3. Key Takeaways added for AI extraction
4. Year added to title for freshness signal

Impact: The restructured post answers the primary query in the first paragraph, matching how AI engines evaluate content for citation.

Example 2: Product Page - Schema and Description

Before (Not Cited)

<h1>CloudSync Pro</h1>
<p>Experience the power of seamless cloud synchronization.
CloudSync Pro revolutionizes how teams collaborate, bringing
your workflow to the next level with cutting-edge technology
and innovative features designed to boost productivity.</p>

<!-- No schema markup -->
<!-- No pricing visible -->
<!-- No specifications -->

Problems:

• No Product or SoftwareApplication schema
• Description is pure marketing, no factual content
• No pricing, features list, or specifications
• AI can’t determine what this product actually is or does

After (Cited by AI)

<h1>CloudSync Pro - Real-Time File Sync for Teams</h1>
<p>CloudSync Pro is a cloud file synchronization platform
that syncs files across devices in real-time for teams of
5 to 500. Features include end-to-end encryption, selective
sync, 1TB storage per user, and integrations with Slack,
Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. Starts at $8/user/month.</p>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "CloudSync Pro",
  "applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication",
  "description": "Real-time file sync for teams of 5-500...",
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": "8",
    "priceCurrency": "USD"
  },
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "4.7",
    "reviewCount": "1240"
  }
}
</script>

Changes made:

1. SoftwareApplication schema added
2. Description rewritten to lead with what it IS and what it DOES
3. Specific features listed (encryption, storage, integrations)
4. Pricing visible in both content and schema
5. Rating and review count added

Impact: AI can now extract a complete product profile: what it is, what it costs, how it’s rated, and who it’s for.

Example 3: FAQ Page - Structure and Schema

Before (Not Cited)

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<p><strong>How does your pricing work?</strong></p>
<p>Our pricing is flexible and designed to fit businesses
of all sizes. Contact our sales team to discuss the best
option for your needs.</p>

<p><strong>What makes you different?</strong></p>
<p>We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional value
through our innovative approach and dedicated team of
professionals who are committed to your success.</p>

Problems:

• No FAQPage schema
• Questions are formatted as paragraphs, not semantic Q&A
• Answers are vague and non-specific
• No useful information for AI to extract

After (Cited by AI)

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<h3>How does pricing work?</h3>
<p>CloudSync Pro costs $8/user/month (billed annually)
or $10/user/month (billed monthly). All plans include
1TB storage per user, real-time sync, and end-to-end
encryption. Teams over 100 users receive volume discounts
of 15-25%. A 14-day free trial is available with no
credit card required.</p>

<h3>What makes CloudSync Pro different from Dropbox
or Google Drive?</h3>
<p>CloudSync Pro is built specifically for team file sync
with three differentiators: real-time collaborative sync
(vs. periodic sync), end-to-end encryption by default
(vs. at-rest only), and native integration with project
management tools. For individual use, Dropbox or Google
Drive may be sufficient. For teams requiring real-time
collaboration with security compliance, CloudSync Pro
is purpose-built.</p>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How does CloudSync Pro pricing work?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "CloudSync Pro costs $8/user/month (billed annually) or $10/user/month (billed monthly). All plans include 1TB storage per user. Teams over 100 get 15-25% volume discounts. 14-day free trial available."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What makes CloudSync Pro different from Dropbox or Google Drive?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "CloudSync Pro offers real-time collaborative sync, end-to-end encryption by default, and native project management integrations. Built for teams needing real-time collaboration with security compliance."
      }
    }
  ]
}
</script>

Changes made:

1. FAQPage schema added
2. Questions use H3 headings for semantic structure
3. Pricing answer includes specific numbers and tiers
4. Differentiation answer names specific competitors and gives honest guidance
5. Each answer provides complete, actionable information

Impact: AI can now cite specific pricing and differentiation answers. The honest competitor comparison builds trust.

Example 4: About Page - Entity Optimization

Before (Not Cited)

<h1>About Us</h1>
<p>We're a passionate team of innovators dedicated to
transforming the way businesses operate. Our journey
began with a simple idea: what if technology could
make work better for everyone?</p>

After (Cited by AI)

<h1>About CloudSync</h1>
<p>CloudSync is a file synchronization platform founded
in 2022 in San Francisco. The platform serves 12,000+
teams across 40 countries, syncing over 2 billion files
daily. Founded by engineers from Dropbox and Google,
CloudSync was built to solve the real-time collaboration
gaps in existing cloud storage solutions.</p>

Changes made:

1. Company name in H1 (not “About Us”)
2. Opening sentence defines what the company IS
3. Specific numbers (12,000+ teams, 40 countries, 2B files)
4. Founder credentials mentioned
5. Clear problem statement

The Optimization Hierarchy

When prioritizing AEO improvements, follow this order:

Priority	Optimization	Expected Impact
1	Add missing schema markup	Highest: AI can’t cite what it can’t understand
2	Rewrite opening paragraphs to answer-first	High: first 100 words determine citation
3	Replace vague copy with specific data	High: specificity enables citation
4	Add FAQ section with schema	Medium-high: captures long-tail queries
5	Add author credentials	Medium: builds EEAT authority
6	Update dates and refresh content	Medium: freshness signal

How Genrank Automates This

Every example above represents a manual audit process. Genrank automates it then scans your pages across all five AEO dimensions and returning the exact changes needed, prioritized by citation impact. Instead of guessing which pages need work, Genrank scores them and tells you exactly what to fix first.