Who’s Ready for More Marketing AI?

I’m relatively new to the world of digital marketing agencies.

I’ve spent years in offices working in traditional marketing, with a few digital experiments along the way. And yes — some days I miss the “easy” corporate world.

Then I remember the meetings.
The fluorescent lighting.
And the shoes I’d have to wear.

Somewhere along the way, I lost my passion for repetitive meetings and the occasional glimpse of sunlight.

From Corporate Offices to a Home Office

Now my day starts in a home office, coffee in hand — full of hope, ambition, and the usual scan through industry emails… plus a surprising amount of spam about AI and its influence.

These days, I work alongside a small team of generative engine coworkers — including the one that occasionally disappears for hours in the middle of the day (we all have one of those).

For me, the standout has been conversational AI.

It’s quickly become a genuine co-pilot for marketers. It smooths workflows, sharpens thinking, and helps us move faster. I’ve found my favourite (you know who you are), tested others, and learned that some just aren’t Troy-friendly… or are wildly overpriced.

And instead of eating lunch with a spreadsheet, I now read the “must-read” emails or listen to podcasts about what’s next.

The Question That Keeps Coming Up

Which brings me to the question I keep asking myself:

What exactly are GEO and AEO — and how do they fit in?

Six months ago, I hadn’t even heard of them. Now? I’m paying close attention. You won’t be able to avoid them.

I don’t think GEO and AEO will reduce my workload or make things easier. If anything, they’ll keep me busier. But they will make my clients’ lives better — and that’s the part that matters.

What Is GEO?

GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) is about ensuring your brand, content, and expertise appear

inside AI-generated responses.

When people ask tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot for recommendations, explanations, or solutions, GEO helps ensure your business is part of that conversation — not invisible to it.

What Is AEO?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) focuses on structuring content so it clearly and accurately answers questions.

This makes it easier for AI tools, voice assistants, and search engines to surface the right answer at the right time — in a format machines and humans can both understand.

Here’s the Thing

GEO and AEO don’t replace SEO.

They build on it.

Strong SEO foundations, high-quality content, clear messaging, and brand trust still matter. In fact, they matter more than ever. AI engines rely on the same signals we’ve always chased: authority, relevance, consistency, and usefulness.

The difference?

We’re no longer optimising just for rankings.

We’re optimising for answers, visibility, and influence — across both human and machine discovery.

Looking Ahead

My small business is chugging along nicely, and I’m genuinely excited to see what the next 12 months bring — how these generative engines evolve, and how we, as marketers and small business owners, learn to use them responsibly and effectively.

Or are they just another shiny distraction?

That’s still to be seen.

For now, I’m paying attention.

Post written by me, sans shoes, with a little help from conversational AI — because that’s kind of the point.