If you’ve been around digital marketing even a little, you’ve heard of SEO (Search Engine Optimization.) You know the drill: use the right keywords, build some solid backlinks, and boom, your website shows up on Google when someone types in “water heater installation Boston MA.”
But in 2025, the game’s evolving. A lot.
Thanks to the rise of AI-powered assistants (like Alexa and Siri) and chat-based search (like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok), it’s no longer just about ranking on Google. It’s about showing up in the answers AI gives people. Even Google is using Gemini to show you AI answers to your searches, right at the top of the search results. This is why AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) are becoming so critical.
Let’s break it all down.
SEO: The Classic Crowd-Pleaser
Goal: Rank high on Google (and other search engines) when someone searches for services you offer.
Focus: Keywords, structure, speed, backlinks.
Let’s say you’re a plumber in Boston. You create a page like:
- Title Tag: Water Heater Installation Boston MA | Boston Hot Water Pros
- H1: Water Heater Installation in Boston, MA
- Meta Description: Need water heater installation in Boston, MA? Call now for fast, affordable service!
Your content hits the right phrases—“plumbing in Boston,” “tankless water heaters,” “Boston water heater repair”—and you throw in a Google Map, a few local backlinks, and you’re cookin’.
Outcome: Your page shows up when someone Googles “water heater installation Boston MA.” Clicks start coming in.
AEO: Talk Like a Human (Because AI Is Listening)
Goal: Be the go-to answer when someone asks their phone or smart speaker a question.
Focus: Conversational tone, FAQ-style answers, schema markup.
People don’t always search like they used to. Now, they ask:
- “Who installs water heaters near me?”
- “How long does it take to install a water heater?”
- “What’s the cost of a tankless water heater in Boston?”
To show up in voice searches or smart assistant answers, your content needs to match that Q&A format:
- H1: Who Does Water Heater Installation in Boston, MA?
- Subheading: How much does it cost?
- On average, between $800–$1,500 depending on the unit.
- Subheading: How long does it take?
- Most jobs take 2–4 hours for our team.
Outcome: Someone asks ChatGPT or Grok, “How long does it take to install a water heater in Boston?” and you’re the answer.
GEO: Win the AI Brain Game
Goal: Be the source that tools like ChatGPT reference when crafting detailed responses.
Focus: Authority, clarity, structure, and originality.
This is where content starts doing real heavy lifting. AI bots don’t just look for keywords, they understand what’s helpful, unique, and well-explained. Your job? Be the expert voice they lean on.
So instead of a sales-y blurb, you write something like:
“In 2024, over 65% of Boston homeowners upgraded to tankless water heaters, according to the Boston Plumbing Association.”
“Because of Boston’s hard water, traditional tank heaters wear out 20% faster, so going tankless often saves in the long run.”
Break it down into steps. Add data. Speak like a pro. Be the plumber who’s not just trying to rank, but trying to teach.
Outcome: Someone asks an AI, “What’s the best way to install a water heater in Boston?” and it replies:
“Boston Hot Water Pros recommends tankless units for Boston’s hard water. Installation usually takes 2–4 hours and costs between $1,000–$1,500.”
Boom. You’re the authority.
Quick Comparison: SEO vs. AEO vs. GEO
Keyword Focus
Content Style
Length
Structure
Target Platform
Local Detail
So… What Should You Do?
Honestly? Start with strong SEO. It lays the groundwork. If you’re using keywords like “emergency plumber Boston” or “tankless water heater install in Dorchester,” you’re already headed in the right direction.
Then, sprinkle in some AEO magic:
- Add an FAQ section.
- Use natural questions as subheadings.
- Keep answers tight and scannable.
Finally, beef it up for GEO:
- Drop in unique insights and local stats.
- Use clear formatting—bullet points, charts, comparisons.
- Write like an expert, not a salesman.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t killing SEO, it’s evolving it. The goal now is to be the best answer, whether someone’s typing into Google, asking their phone, or chatting with a bot.
Your website is no longer just a brochure, it’s a resource. A guide. A trusted voice.
So next time you’re updating a service page, ask yourself:
“Would this help me if I were the customer?”
If the answer is yes, chances are… the search engines (and AI) will think so too.
Want help giving your service pages a glow-up that works for SEO, AEO and GEO? Drop us a line. We speak fluent Google and robot.
