Answer Engine Optimisation is the next frontier after traditional SEO. When someone asks an AI assistant 'which architecture practice specialises in sustainable housing in London?', the answer it gives is drawn from structured, authoritative content on the web, not just from Google's ranking algorithm.

For practices that have invested in SEO, AEO is the logical next step. For practices that haven't, it's actually an easier entry point than traditional SEO because the competition for AI-visible content in the built environment is still relatively low.

The key principles: answer specific questions directly, use clear structured headings, cite your work with specificity, and ensure your practice's name is associated consistently with your sector and specialisms across multiple authoritative sources.