SEO, AEO and GEO in 2026: what Google actually says

In May 2026, Google published dedicated guidance for websites that want to appear in generative Search experiences. The conclusion is less exotic than many “GEO” pitches suggest: AI Overviews and AI Mode still rely on core Search systems and public pages Google can find, understand and consider useful.

SEO is not dead — it is more demanding

AEO and GEO are useful labels for talking about answers and generative engines, but they do not replace the basics. Clear technical structure, indexing, a strong mobile experience, crawlable links and original content still determine whether a page enters the conversation.

Generic content has even less value

Google recommends non-commodity content: first-hand experience, concrete examples, supported opinions and information that is more than a rewrite of what already exists. Ten shallow articles produced in bulk are worth less than one real analysis only your business could write.

There is no “AI schema”

Structured data remains useful for rich results and entity clarity, but Google says there is no special markup required for generative Search. It also states that llms.txt neither helps nor hurts Google visibility — it may serve other systems, but it is not a ranking shortcut.

What to do now

• Keep every page fast, indexable and useful on mobile.
• Answer real questions with first-hand experience and examples.
• Use relevant images and video with proper context and alt text.
• Monitor the generative AI performance report in Search Console when available.
• Avoid mass pages built only to capture keyword variations.

Our reading

The future of discovery does not belong to the site that repeats “AI” most often. It belongs to the business publishing clear, specific, verifiable information that is technically easy to retrieve. That is SEO with more substance — not new magic.

Official source: Google Search Central — generative Search optimisation