Let’s begin with the excellent news. Google confirms the next on the outset:
Google search era AI capabilities are rooted in core search rating and high quality methods, so search engine optimisation greatest practices stay essential.
Naturally, you may surprise how totally different the impression of AI mode and search engine optimisation efforts might be in 2026. Whereas it is true that SERPs themselves have modified and LLMs function in a different way than conventional info retrieval methods, the important thing right here is that Gemini-powered search, together with: fast search — Nonetheless closely depending on search indexes (whether or not you name them “search infrastructure” or search extension era).
search engine optimisation, GEO or AEO?
In accordance with Google, “…generated AI search optimization is search expertise optimization, and subsequently additionally impacts search engine optimisation.” Okay. This can be a little bit of a cheat primarily based on a change within the search definition. Personally, I believe “GEO” displays a number of the particular points of GenAI and LLM and is usually a helpful distinction. If that distinction helps you get the job achieved, that is nice. If that is only a buzzword to advertise on LinkedIn, good luck.
