Answer engine optimization (AEO) is significantly, but not fundamentally, different from search engine optimization (SEO). Both processes condition consumers’ experiences on and off brands’ sites, span content and technical requirements, and are hard to measure. Both demand deep, persistent customer understanding and extensive cross-functional buy-in. This report explains AEO and SEO’s similarities and differences, grounds their differences in changing search behavior, and clarifies how to optimize content, websites, and measurement to grow authority across answer engines.