Episode 10 - Answer Engine Optimisation: Becoming the Source AI Recommends

In this episode of Own The Conversation, two presenters explore why small and medium-sized businesses must move beyond basic chatbots and start using AI to build real visibility, authority, and productivity in an AI-driven economy.

The discussion breaks down why simply “having AI” is no longer enough. As large language models increasingly act as answer engines, businesses need structured, conversational content that AI systems can easily understand, trust, and cite.

The episode introduces Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) — a strategy focused on creating hundreds of highly specific, AI-generated FAQ and Q&A pages that satisfy how modern AI systems discover and recommend information. Rather than chasing clicks or rankings, AEO positions businesses as expert sources when users ask real questions.

Real-world examples from carpet retailers and kayak brands show how custom AI assistants are already managing these conversations — answering detailed questions, surfacing live product data, and reinforcing topical authority at scale. These systems don’t just improve customer experience; they actively shape how AI systems understand and represent a business.

The conversation highlights why owning your digital narrative is becoming essential for long-term discovery. Businesses that invest now in structured knowledge, conversational content, and AI-trained systems are far more likely to remain visible as AI-driven recommendations replace traditional search results.

If you want to understand how to move from being “just another link” to becoming a trusted source AI relies on, this episode lays out the framework.

At Own The Conversation, we help small and medium-sized businesses become the source AI tools rely on, not just another result in a list.

By building structured, conversational content and real topical authority around your niche, we make it easy for answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini to cite your business when customers ask questions that matter.

If you want to own the conversation in your industry — and turn AI-generated answers into real-world leads and sales — visit:

👉 https://www.owntheconversation.com

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